Garrett 13: Specs, Fitment, and Is It Worth It

The Garrett GT1749S PowerMax turbocharger kit for the 2013-2017 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost is a direct-fit twin-turbo upgrade for one of the most popular turbocharged truck platforms on the road. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in the 2013-2017 F-150 uses two small-frame turbochargers -- one per cylinder bank -- in a parallel twin-scroll arrangement that delivers strong low-RPM torque alongside peak power. The factory turbos are correctly sized for the OEM power level but run close to their surge boundary when a tune raises the boost setpoint. Garrett's GT1749S PowerMax Stage 1 kit replaces both factory units with larger-compressor PowerMax turbos engineered to sustain elevated boost without the surge the factory units produce at Stage 1 and higher output levels. This guide covers the Stage 1 GT1749S specifications, fitment details, and what this Garrett turbocharger kit delivers on the 2013-2017 EcoBoost F-150 platform.

Fitment: Garrett GT1749S Stage 1 for 2013-2017 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost

The Garrett Stage 1 GT1749S Twin Turbo Kit (911984-5002S) fits the following applications:

• 2013-2017 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (standard cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew)
• Note: 2013-2016 and 2017 model years both use this kit; the 2017 F-150 EcoBoost also has a Stage 2 option available for higher-output builds

The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 underwent a revision between the 2012 and 2013 model years that changed the turbocharger mounting configuration and turbine inlet geometry. The 2011-2012 F-150 EcoBoost uses a different Stage 1 kit (911984-5001S) that is not interchangeable with the 2013-2017 unit. Both generations are covered in the Garrett PowerMax catalog, but the part numbers are generation-specific -- confirm the model year before ordering to ensure the correct turbocharger kit arrives.

The GT1749S Stage 1 kit installs at the factory turbocharger locations using the factory exhaust manifold connections, oil supply and return ports, and coolant connections on both turbocharger positions. No modifications to the factory intercooler piping, charge pipe, or exhaust system are required for a base Stage 1 installation, though a supporting cold-air intake and ECU tune are strongly recommended to access the full performance benefit of the larger PowerMax compressor wheels.

Top Picks: Garrett PowerMax for the 2013-2017 3.5L EcoBoost F-150

The Garrett 13-17 Ford 3.5L EcoBoost Stage 1 GT1749S Twin Turbo Kit PMAX (911984-5002S) is the recommended starting point for 2013-2017 F-150 EcoBoost owners. The kit replaces both the driver-side and passenger-side factory turbos with GT1749S PowerMax units, which use a larger-inducer compressor wheel than the factory turbos. Both turbos in the parallel twin arrangement must be the same specification for balanced boost contribution from each bank -- installing one performance turbo and one stock unit creates a boost imbalance between the cylinder banks that cannot be fully corrected through calibration. Garrett's Stage 1 kit addresses both positions in a single purchase, ensuring matched performance from both banks. Browse the complete Garrett EcoBoost turbocharger upgrade catalog for Stage 1 and Stage 2 kits across supported F-150 EcoBoost model years.

For a 2013-2016 F-150 EcoBoost where one factory turbo has failed and a staged replacement is the plan, the Garrett PowerMax Turbo Upgrade Kit 13-16 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost - Left Turbocharger (881027-5002S) is the individual driver-side replacement unit. The matching right-side unit (881028-5002S) is available separately for a complete twin upgrade in two steps, though the Stage 1 complete kit is the more straightforward option for replacing both at once. For owners of the 2011-2012 F-150 EcoBoost, the Garrett 11-12 Ford 3.5L Stage 1 GT1749S PowerMax Turbocharger Kit (911984-5001S) is the generation-correct version for that platform.

Match to the Build

• 2013-2017 F-150 EcoBoost at Stage 1 tune: The GT1749S Stage 1 kit is designed for exactly this application -- a Stage 1 ECU calibration that raises boost and fueling above the factory setpoint; the GT1749S compressor wheels sustain the elevated boost target the Stage 1 tune commands without the surge the factory turbos produce at boosted conditions above the OEM calibration; this is the core use case the kit was engineered for
• 2013-2017 F-150 with high-flow intake and exhaust: A cold-air intake and cat-back or axle-back exhaust on the 3.5L EcoBoost reduces restriction across the breathing path; the GT1749S benefits from these modifications by operating in a lower-restriction environment that allows the compressor to reach its efficiency range more easily; a supporting tune that accounts for the reduced restriction and the GT1749S's compressor characteristics maximizes the improvement
• High-mileage 2013-2017 F-150 replacing worn factory turbos: An F-150 EcoBoost with accumulated high miles on the factory twin turbos is a prime candidate for the GT1749S Stage 1 kit as a replacement-with-upgrade; the cost difference over replacing with OEM-spec units is reasonable, and the GT1749S delivers improved surge margin and peak flow that the factory turbos never provided
• 2013-2017 F-150 EcoBoost tow truck: The GT1749S improves sustained boost stability under towing load on the 3.5L EcoBoost; towing at elevated throttle positions pushes the factory turbos toward their surge limit under the load-dependent boost demand, and the GT1749S's wider surge margin sustains stable boost through extended towing cycles better than the factory units

Signs the Factory EcoBoost Turbos Need Replacement or Upgrade

• Compressor surge sound under hard acceleration on a tuned 3.5L EcoBoost -- a cyclic stutter or flutter from the intake at wide-open throttle indicates one or both factory turbos operating past their surge line at the boost level the tune commands; common on Stage 1 tunes with the factory turbos; the GT1749S eliminates this by moving the surge line outward on both compressor maps
• Boost pressure failing to reach the tune's commanded target above a certain RPM -- the factory compressors reaching their maximum flow rate before the engine completes its power band; audible as a plateau or reduction in power delivery at high RPM; the GT1749S's larger compressor wheels deliver the flow the tune demands throughout the RPM range
• Oil consumption or blue smoke from the exhaust -- turbocharger compressor seal wear on one or both factory units; the 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo arrangement means both turbos share the same operating conditions and typically reach the same service interval; replacing both together with the GT1749S Stage 1 kit rather than replacing only the failed unit avoids a second replacement in the near term
• Reduced power output on a previously calibrated F-150 with no fault codes or intake leaks -- gradual compressor efficiency degradation on one or both factory turbos; a decline in peak power that tracks with high mileage accumulation rather than a single event typically points to turbocharger wear as the source

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Garrett GT1749S Stage 1 kit for the 2013-2017 F-150 require a tune?

A supporting ECU tune is strongly recommended. The GT1749S can be installed and the vehicle driven at factory boost levels without a tune -- the factory ECU will not be harmed by the larger compressor turbos at factory calibration. However, the full performance benefit -- improved surge margin, higher peak flow, better efficiency at elevated boost -- is only accessible when a tune raises the boost setpoint to take advantage of the GT1749S's compressor map. Without a tune, the GT1749S operates at factory boost and delivers primarily improved durability and surge margin rather than measurable power gains.

Why does the 2013-2017 kit use a different part number than the 2011-2012 kit?

Ford revised the 3.5L EcoBoost turbocharger mounting configuration, exhaust manifold connection, and turbine inlet geometry between the 2012 and 2013 model years. The dimensional changes mean the 2011-2012 kit (911984-5001S) does not fit the 2013-2017 mounting locations, and the 2013-2017 kit (911984-5002S) does not install correctly in the 2011-2012 mounting positions. Both are GT1749S PowerMax kits sharing the same compressor wheel technology but packaged for their respective generations. Always verify the model year before ordering to receive the generation-correct kit.

Bottom Line

The Garrett GT1749S PowerMax Stage 1 twin-turbo kit for the 2013-2017 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost is the direct-fit turbocharger upgrade for the second-generation EcoBoost F-150. It replaces both factory turbos with matched GT1749S PowerMax units, provides the surge margin a Stage 1 tune requires, and delivers improved peak flow over the factory compressors. Pair it with a supporting ECU calibration and intake for full performance benefit, or install it as a durable factory-footprint replacement with better surge characteristics than the stock units at any boost level.