Best Upgrades for the 2017-2022 6.7 Powerstroke
When Ford redesigned the Super Duty for 2017, the 6.7L Powerstroke came along with it, and these trucks have proven to be some of the most capable diesels on the road. Whether you're towing heavy equipment, hauling a camper, or driving your Super Duty every day, these trucks are built to work.
But even with everything Ford has improved over the years, a few factory components can still leave owners facing expensive repairs or unexpected breakdowns.
The good news: you don't need to spend thousands chasing horsepower to make your truck better. The best upgrades for the 2017-2022 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke focus on reliability, protecting expensive components, and fixing known factory weak points.
In This Guide
- S&S Gen2.1 Disaster Prevention Kit – protect the fuel system from CP4 failure
- Upgraded Cold Side Intercooler Pipe – stop sudden boost loss
- S&S Fuel Leak Prevention Kit – replace crack-prone plastic
- Edge Insight CTS3 Monitor – see what your truck is doing
- Which upgrades to do first
1S&S Diesel Gen2.1 Disaster Prevention Kit
One of the most important upgrades you can make is protecting the high-pressure fuel system.
The factory CP4 high-pressure fuel pump has been a concern among Powerstroke owners for years. When a CP4 fails internally, it can send metal debris throughout the fuel system, contaminating the injectors, fuel rails, lines, and even the tank. What starts as a single failed pump can quickly turn into a repair bill well into the thousands.
The S&S Gen2.1 kit is designed to redirect and capture that contamination before it reaches other expensive components. It features a 9-micron return filter with a clear bowl for easy inspection, plus OEM-style quick-connect fuel lines, so there's no cutting the factory supply line during installation.
Why we recommend it
- Helps protect injectors, fuel rails, lines, and tank from CP4 failure debris
- Can significantly reduce the damage caused by a failed CP4 pump
- Inspectable 9-micron return fuel filter
- OEM-style quick-connect fittings for a cleaner install
- Added protection without replacing the factory high-pressure pump
2Upgraded Cold Side Intercooler Pipe
If one factory component on the 6.7L Powerstroke has a reputation for leaving owners stranded, it's the cold side intercooler pipe.
On 2017-2022 trucks, the factory cold side coupler hose is rubber with a single layer of reinforcement, and it sees constant heat cycles and boost pressure. Over time, it can weaken, tear, or burst. When that happens, the truck suddenly loses boost and power, which is especially frustrating when you're pulling a trailer far from replacement parts.
Fortunately, upgrading the cold side is a relatively straightforward fix. Here's how the options compare:
Reinforced Silicone
Improved durability without changing the factory layout. H&S uses a reinforced 5-ply silicone hose and billet aluminum adapter, and eliminates two clamped connections compared to a typical metal pipe.
Steel or Aluminum Hard Pipe
For owners who want a rigid pipe. Replaces the failure-prone factory piping with a stronger metal alternative, with adapters, boots, and clamps included.
Recommended options
The SPE Motorsport XD is worth a special mention: it's a full-length cast aluminum pipe with a billet throttle body adapter, straight 5-ply silicone couplers, and integrated reference ports for adding boost monitoring or other accessories.
3S&S Diesel Fuel Leak Prevention Kit
Another often-overlooked weak point is the factory fuel filter housing and its plastic fuel connections.
Repeated heat cycles, vibration, and routine maintenance take a toll. The plastic engine-mounted fuel filter housing and injector return fitting can become brittle and crack, leading to diesel leaks.
The S&S kit replaces the factory plastic housing with a precision-machined billet aluminum housing and an upgraded aluminum injector return fitting. It also includes a Donaldson spin-on fuel filter rated at 4-micron absolute filtration at 99% efficiency, with nearly double the dirt-holding capacity of the factory filter.
It's a simple upgrade that adds durability to a critical part of the fuel system and makes future filter changes easier. Better yet, it works with the factory fuel system and the S&S Disaster Prevention Kit above, making the two a great combination.
Why we recommend it
- Replaces the crack-prone plastic fuel filter housing with billet aluminum
- Upgrades the fragile OEM injector return fitting to aluminum
- Helps reduce the risk of fuel leaks and potential fire hazards
- Donaldson spin-on filter with better filtration and dirt-holding capacity
- Compatible with factory fuel systems and S&S Disaster Prevention Kits
If you plan to keep your Powerstroke for years, this is one of those upgrades that makes a lot more sense to install before something goes wrong.
4Edge Products Insight CTS3 Digital Monitor
Modern diesels are loaded with sensors, but your factory dash only shows a fraction of that information. That's why a digital monitor is one of our favorite upgrades for owners who want to keep an eye on how their truck is performing.
The Insight CTS3 reads supported vehicle data through the OBDII port. Depending on compatibility, you can monitor exhaust gas temperatures, transmission temperatures, boost pressure, and more. That's especially useful when towing heavy, climbing long grades, or watching temps in hot weather.
It also offers a customizable touchscreen, diagnostic trouble code functions, and configurable alerts. And unlike a performance tuner, the CTS3 is built for monitoring: no changes to your engine calibration required.
Why we recommend it
- View multiple supported engine and transmission parameters
- Monitor operating conditions while towing
- Read and clear supported diagnostic trouble codes
- Customize the display to show what you care about
- Useful monitoring without performance tuning
Which 2017-2022 6.7L Powerstroke Upgrades Should You Do First?
Working with a limited budget? You don't need to tackle everything at once. We'd prioritize based on how severe the factory failure each upgrade addresses:
Protect the expensive fuel system components a CP4 failure can destroy.
Fix a common failure that causes sudden boost loss and can leave you stranded.
Replace vulnerable plastic fuel components to help prevent leaks and fire hazards.
These upgrades aren't about turning your truck into a race truck. They're about making an already capable diesel more dependable, whether it's a daily driver, a dedicated tow rig, or a work truck you rely on to make a living.
Final Thoughts
The 2017-2022 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke is an impressive platform, but that doesn't mean every factory component is perfect. Taking care of known weak points before they fail can save you money, downtime, and a whole lot of frustration down the road.
Whether you want to protect your CP4 fuel system, replace the factory intercooler piping, prevent fuel leaks, or keep a closer eye on engine temps, these upgrades are worth considering.
More guides: 2011-2016 6.7 Powerstroke upgrades · 2023-2027 6.7 Powerstroke upgrades
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