Diesel engines may be the most impressive internal combustion engines currently being produced. Though they’re fairly heavy compared to their gasoline counterparts, they can be built up easily by the average wrench slinger. With a few modifications, modern diesels such as the Ford 6.0L Power Stroke can produce some jaw-dropping power numbers while still doubling as a reliable off-road tow rig engine. It’s no surprise that problems usually surface when the boost pressures are turned up to the point where the factory intercooler just can’t keep up with the demands of the boost-happy turbocharged diesel engine. 01. The aFe BladeRunner intercooler features 3/16-inch TIG-welded aluminum plate tanks that use three multi-directional vanes that direct hot air flow through the entire intercooler core for greater overall cooling.01. The aFe BladeRunner intercooler features 3/16-inch TIG-welded aluminum plate tanks th Luckily, aFe Power just released its new BladeRunner intercooler, which utilizes a 3.15-inch bar-and-plate design that is 44 percent larger than the stock unit—allowing it to outflow it by as much as 40 percent. We stopped by Diesel Tech in San Jacinto, California, to watch aFe’s new BladeRunner intercooler get installed on a Ford 6.0L Power Stroke Super Duty. The intercooler went on in no time at all. The average enthusiast can accomplish this in just a few hours using simple hand tools and a torque wrench. The great thing about the BladeRunner intercooler is that unlike the factory units that eventually leak and lose pressure, the BladeRunner intercooler features fully TIG-Welded construction and is pressure-rated for 200 psi, which makes it perfect for high-boost applications. 02. Removing the factory intercooler is not really all that hard. If you’ve ever removed a radiator, it’s pretty much the same concept except there’s no coolant that can be spilled and the whole process takes only a few minutes.02. Removing the factory intercooler is not really all that hard. If you’ve ever removed 03. The BladeRunner intercooler drops into place pretty easily with a little help. It’s a tight fit but it all bolts in just like the factory intercooler. The guys at Diesel Tech had the aFe BladeRunner intercooler in the truck in no time at all.03. The BladeRunner intercooler drops into place pretty easily with a little help. It’s a 04. The BladeRunner intercooler tube is constructed of 3.5-inch mandrel-bent powdercoated stainless steel tubing—although to be fair, ours was polished out to a deep shine. The BladeRunner intercooler tube features smoother transition bends for lower turbulence to increase horsepower and torque, as well as lower EGTs.04. The BladeRunner intercooler tube is constructed of 3.5-inch mandrel-bent powdercoated 05. Make sure you follow the recommended torque specification for the spring-loaded T-bolt clamps so you don’t over tighten them and end up with a broken clamp or a boost leak from a kinked silicone hose.05. Make sure you follow the recommended torque specification for the spring-loaded T-bol 06. When it comes to intercoolers, bigger is usually better! The BladeRunner intercooler uses 3.5-inch billet aluminum inlets and outlets that are stronger than the plastic ones found on the factory unit.06. When it comes to intercoolers, bigger is usually better! The BladeRunner intercooler 07. Here you can see why the factory intercoolers fall short in high-boost applications. The ends of the intercooler that hold the secure the plastic end tanks of the intercooler start coming apart, which leads to a major loss of boost pressure.07. Here you can see why the factory intercoolers fall short in high-boost applications. 08. Loren Taylor, Diesel Tech’s owner, stressed how important coolant filtration is. The cleaner the coolant is, the better it’s able to do its job of keeping the engine operating within its optimum operating temperature. That’s why Diesel Tech has developed a coolant filtration system that ties into the heater system.08. Loren Taylor, Diesel Tech’s owner, stressed how important coolant filtration is. The 09. The Diesel Tech coolant filtration system is easy to install and the red-anodized filter adapter looks good under the hood.09. The Diesel Tech coolant filtration system is easy to install and the red-anodized fil 10.0 You definitely don’t want this nasty dirt contaminating your coolant system.10.0 You definitely don’t want this nasty dirt contaminating your coolant system. 10.5 You definitely don’t want this nasty dirt contaminating your coolant system. The Diesel Tech coolant filtration system will significantly help keep the coolant cleaner over time preventing costly repairs.10.5 You definitely don’t want this nasty dirt contaminating your coolant system. The Diesel Tech coolant filtration system will significantly help keep the coolant cleaner over time preventing costly repairs. Sources Diesel Tech 1685 S State St. San Jacinto CA 92583 951-766-5777 http://www.dieseltech1.com/ AFE 252 Granite Street Corona CA 92879 951-493-7155 www.afepower.com By Agustin Jimenez Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
