Best 6.7L Power Stroke Turbocharger Upgrades for 2026: Top ATS Diesel, BD Diesel Picks

The best 6.7L Power Stroke turbocharger upgrade for an F-250 or F-350 depends on the model year, the build level, and how hard the truck is pushed. Ford's 6.7L Scorpion diesel (2011-2019) uses a compound turbocharger system from the factory -- a high-pressure and low-pressure unit working together. For most street and tow builds, upgrading the high-pressure turbo with a larger ATS Diesel Aurora or BD Diesel Screamer unit is the direct path to more power without converting away from the factory architecture. ATS Diesel and BD Diesel both build generation-specific kits for the 2011-2016 platform that bolt to the factory location and support a tuned 6.7L without custom fabrication. This guide covers the best 6.7L Power Stroke turbocharger options in 2026 by model year and build level.

6.7L Power Stroke Turbo System Overview

The 6.7L Power Stroke uses a compound turbo setup where a small high-pressure turbo spools quickly at low RPM and a large low-pressure unit takes over at high load for maximum airflow. The high-pressure unit is the one most commonly upgraded -- it is the restrictive element at higher power levels and the one that responds most directly to a larger compressor wheel.

2011-2014 pickup-chassis and 2011-2016 cab-chassis trucks use a slightly different turbo inlet configuration that ATS and BD Diesel address with year-specific kit numbers. Confirm your exact model year and chassis type before ordering -- using the wrong kit for the build date causes inlet and outlet fitment issues that require additional fabrication to correct.

Three upgrade paths are available for the 6.7L high-pressure position:

• Stage 1 VNT drop-in: An upgraded variable nozzle turbine unit sized for a mild to moderate tune. Improved airflow over the factory unit with direct-fit installation.
• Stage 2 VNT upgrade: A larger compressor wheel for a stage 2-3 tune and improved injectors. The most popular tier for street and tow builds targeting a meaningful power increase.
• Compound kit: Replaces the high-pressure unit with a larger piece and adds a substantial atmosphere turbo. Maximum airflow for high-output builds on 200-over-plus injectors.

Top Picks for 6.7L Power Stroke Turbocharger Upgrades

For a 2011-2014 pickup on a stage 1 build, the ATS Aurora VNT Stage 1 Kit (202-306-3368) is the entry-point direct-fit upgrade. It improves airflow efficiency over the factory high-pressure unit and is sized for a truck running a tune with stock or near-stock injectors. Step up to the ATS Aurora 4000 VNT Stage 2 Kit (202-406-3368) for a 2011-2014 pickup running a stage 2-3 tune and upgraded injectors -- the 4000-series compressor wheel supports substantially more airflow at the top end and is the most popular choice for built 2011-2014 trucks.

For 2011-2016 cab-chassis trucks (F-450, F-550), the ATS Aurora 4000 VNT Stage 2 Cab-Chassis Kit (202-407-3368) is the correctly matched unit. The cab-chassis application uses a different inlet routing than the pickup chassis, and this kit is built for that configuration specifically. Do not substitute the pickup kit on a cab-chassis truck.

For the 2011-2014 platform with a BD Diesel preference, the BD Diesel Retro Screamer Turbo Kit (1045825) covers both 2011-2014 F-250/F-350 pickup and 2011-2016 F-450/F-550 cab-chassis in one kit number. The Retro Screamer uses a larger compressor wheel and is matched to the factory compound arrangement for a bolt-on installation. For the 2015-2016 F-250/F-350, the BD Diesel Screamer (1045828) is the updated unit built for the revised 2015-2016 high-pressure turbo inlet geometry.

For maximum-output builds on 2015+ trucks, the ATS Aurora 6000 Plus Compound Kit (202-962-3416) replaces the factory high-pressure turbo with a 6000-series unit and adds a large atmosphere turbo for a full compound system. This kit targets 600-plus horsepower builds on 200-over-plus injectors and a stage 3-4 tune where a single upgraded turbo cannot supply enough airflow.

Match the Turbo to the Build

Selecting the best 6.7L Power Stroke turbocharger requires matching the kit to the complete powertrain:

• Injector pairing: The Stage 1 and Stage 2 VNT kits are sized for 60-200-over Scorpion injectors. The compound 6000 Plus kit requires 200-over-plus injectors and a full supporting fuel system to use the additional airflow. Running a compound kit on stock or near-stock injectors produces no usable power gain.
• CP4.2 protection: A lift pump is required on any tuned 6.7L. A FASS or AirDog unit maintains inlet pressure to the CP4.2 under high-demand conditions and adds water separation to protect the injectors. Install the lift pump alongside or before the turbo upgrade -- never after.
• Intercooler: A larger turbo moves compressed air at higher charge temperatures. A quality intercooler upgrade keeps intake temps controlled on sustained pulls and protects power output on hot days or during long towing segments.
• Tune: A turbo upgrade without a matching tune produces boost the ECM cannot manage correctly. Work with a tuner experienced on the 6.7L platform to set boost targets, fueling, and timing for the new compressor map before the first full-throttle pull.

Browse turbocharger actuators and related hardware for VGT actuators, seals, and install hardware for the 6.7L platform.

Signs Your 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Needs Attention

Common symptoms on the 2011-2016 6.7L high-pressure turbo:

• Boost reading below target on a known-good tune at wide-open throttle
• Black smoke under load that does not respond to throttle changes
• Sluggish or delayed spool where low-RPM response was previously sharp
• Limp mode with boost fault codes P0046, P0299, or P003A
• Oil contamination in the charge air piping or intercooler core
• Grinding, chirping, or rubbing from the turbo housing under boost
• Elevated EGTs at a towing load that previously held normal temperatures

On the 6.7L compound system, a failed vane actuator in the high-pressure position produces erratic boost response and typically triggers a limp mode event under load. Verify the VNT actuator is responding to commands before assuming the turbo cartridge itself has failed -- a stuck vane ring is sometimes the root cause rather than internal wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ATS Aurora 4000 kit for 2011-2014 pickups compatible with 2015+ trucks?

No. The 2011-2014 pickup and 2015-2016 trucks use different high-pressure turbo configurations. ATS and BD Diesel build year-specific kits for each application. Using a 2011-2014 kit on a 2015+ truck creates inlet fitment problems that require additional work to resolve. Always confirm the exact model year before ordering.

Does upgrading the high-pressure turbo require removing the low-pressure unit?

Not for a direct-fit Stage 1 or Stage 2 upgrade. The ATS Aurora VNT kits and BD Diesel Screamer units replace the high-pressure turbo in the factory compound location without disturbing the low-pressure unit. The compound 6000 Plus kit does include a new atmosphere unit that replaces the factory low-pressure turbo.

What horsepower does the ATS Aurora 4000 Stage 2 support on the 6.7L?

ATS rates the Aurora 4000 Stage 2 for high-output street builds on the 6.7L platform. Paired with 100-200-over Scorpion injectors and a stage 2-3 tune, it supports power levels well above the factory output. For builds targeting maximum output, the 6000 Plus compound kit is the next step.

Bottom Line

For a tuned 2011-2014 6.7L Power Stroke pickup, the ATS Aurora 4000 VNT Stage 2 kit is the best 6.7L Power Stroke turbocharger upgrade for most street and tow builds. For 2015-2016 trucks, the BD Diesel Screamer is a strong direct-fit alternative. For maximum-output builds on either generation, the ATS Aurora 6000 Plus compound kit is the step up that a single turbo upgrade cannot match. Match the turbo to the injectors and the tune, protect the CP4.2 with a lift pump, and the 6.7L will respond with the power the platform is capable of.