When it debuted a couple of years ago, the new 6.0L Power Stroke amazed everyone by making more power from fewer cubic inches of displacement. Still, no matter how well the engine performs, there are always those out there who want more, and that's what this story is all about.
Most owners follow a well-marked road to increasing power on their modern electronically controlled diesels: Namely, exhaust, intake, and chip. Some go way beyond that, of course, but we thought you'd like to see the results from a few well known and respected products on a spankin' new '05 F-350 Crew Cab Dualie with only 800 miles. We utilized the test facilities of the University of Northwestern Ohio and Instructor Scott Martin's Alternative Fuels II class to both do the dyno tests and to install the products.
Martin's class had a chance to do a quick dyno test before the truck went off to get a Magnaflow exhaust system installed, but we weren't there to see it. We did get to shoot the class installing an Airaid intake system, Edge Juice Module and Attitude Monitor, and an ATS TorquePro 2000 propane-injection system.
The benefits of a big-bore, mandrel-bent exhaust are well documented. Magnaflow's 4-inch stainless system incorporates all of the best technology to maximize exhaust flow. Along the same lines, the Airaid cool-air high-flow intake system increases intake breathing in a major way. "Why then," you ask, "did you only pick up only 8 hp by installing both?" Good question.
When a free-flow intake and exhaust really become necessary is when the engine's power output increases due to increased fueling, boost, and timing from a chip or a fuel-injection programmer. To make that extra power, you need more airflow in and out. Changes in programming alone may quickly overcome the stock truck's inability to breathe. This will then limit the potential output from the chip or tuner and usually cause EGTs to rise to terminal levels more quickly in any situation.
The owner wished to remain nameless, but this decked-out '05 F-350 Crew Cab Dualie FX-4 will be used to tow race cars to and from the dirt-track circuits in the Midwest. | 
Installing the Airaid intake system is brick-simple. After removing the factory system to the flexible hose, you will reinstall the Mass Airflow sensor and air-filter restriction gauge onto the new Airaid intake tube elbow and then install the new airbox. | 
With the airbox installed, you can install the low restriction filter element, weather strip, and voila! |