Garrett GT2260S PowerMax F-150 3.5L EcoBoost: Specs, Fitment, Worth It?

The Garrett turbocharger GT2260S PowerMax Stage 2 upgrade kit is the direct-fit twin-turbo replacement for the 2017-2021 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost -- a complete left-and-right turbocharger kit that drops into the factory location and supports meaningful power gains on a tuned EcoBoost engine. The Gen 2 3.5L EcoBoost in the 2017-2021 F-150 uses twin Garrett turbos from the factory, and Garrett's PowerMax upgrade replaces both with larger, more efficient compressor wheel designs that move more air at the same or lower inlet restriction. This guide covers the GT2260S specifications, what years and trims it fits, what supporting modifications the kit requires, and whether this Garrett turbocharger upgrade is the right move for the intended use of the truck.

GT2260S Specs and Fitment

The Garrett 17-21 Ford F-150 3.5L PowerMax GT2260S Stage 2 Upgrade Kit (911984-5003S) is a complete set -- left and right turbos -- designed for direct fitment in the 2017-2021 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost engine bay. Key fitment and spec details:

• Fitment: 2017-2021 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost (Gen 2) twin-turbo engine
• Configuration: Twin-turbo upgrade kit -- both left and right turbos included in one kit number
• Stage: Stage 2, meaning a meaningful compressor wheel and turbine upgrade over the factory units
• Compressor design: Garrett PowerMax aerodynamic upgrade -- improved compressor wheel trim for better flow and lower inlet temperature versus the factory wheel
• Installation: Direct-fit replacement using factory mounting locations; no custom fabrication or charge pipe modification required
• Tune required: Yes -- a tune calibrated for the upgraded compressor maps is required to take advantage of the improved airflow

The 2017 model year is the boundary for this kit because Ford updated the 3.5L EcoBoost to its Gen 2 configuration starting in 2017, with revised turbo sizing and updated engine management. The Gen 2 EcoBoost uses different turbo inlet and outlet geometry than the 2011-2016 Gen 1 engine, and the GT2260S kit is built specifically for the Gen 2 platform. Do not attempt to fit the GT2260S in a pre-2017 F-150 -- the kit is not compatible with the Gen 1 engine architecture.

The F-150 3.5L EcoBoost produces 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque from the factory in the 2017-2021 model years. With the GT2260S upgrade and a supporting tune, the platform responds well to the additional airflow capacity the PowerMax compressor wheels provide.

Top Picks: Garrett GT2260S and PowerMax Lineup

The Garrett GT2260S PowerMax Stage 2 Upgrade Kit (911984-5003S) is the complete solution for a 2017-2021 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost owner looking for a meaningful turbo upgrade in a direct-fit package. Both left and right turbochargers are included so there is no need to source each side separately or worry about matching compressor wheel trims between the two units. The kit ships ready to install and uses the factory oil and coolant connections with no additional plumbing required.

For diesel truck owners evaluating Garrett's broader PowerMax lineup, Garrett builds the same direct-fit upgrade philosophy into diesel applications. The Garrett GT3794VA Stage 1 kit for the 2004.5-2009 Duramax 6.6L and the Garrett PowerMax GTB1752V for the 2016+ Colorado 2.8L Duramax follow the same approach -- direct-fit, factory-location replacement with improved compressor wheel specs and no custom fabrication. Browse the full turbocharger upgrade catalog for the complete Garrett lineup.

Match to the Build

The GT2260S is the right Garrett turbocharger upgrade for a 2017-2021 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost in these build situations:

• Tuned street truck: The GT2260S paired with an E3 or similar EcoBoost tune is the most common and well-supported upgrade path. The tune sets the boost targets that take advantage of the improved compressor maps, and the PowerMax wheel design runs cooler intake charge temps than the factory units at the same boost level.
• Towing and performance combined: The F-150 3.5L EcoBoost is a popular tow truck, and the GT2260S benefits towing as well as performance driving. The improved compressor efficiency at elevated boost under sustained load produces lower charge temperatures that protect the engine during long towing pulls.
• Supporting modifications: The GT2260S works best alongside an intercooler upgrade and a quality tune. The factory intercooler is adequate for mild builds but becomes a restriction at the higher sustained boost the PowerMax kits support. An upgraded intercooler keeps charge temperatures in check and allows the tune to maintain boost longer.
• Not for the Gen 1 3.5L: Owners of 2011-2016 F-150 trucks with the 3.5L EcoBoost must confirm fitment before ordering -- the Gen 1 and Gen 2 turbo configurations are not interchangeable, and the GT2260S kit is built for the 2017-and-up Gen 2 engine only.

Signs Your F-150 EcoBoost Turbos Need Attention

The 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo setup gives clear warning signs when either turbo is failing or restricting performance:

• Boost pressure below target on a known-good tune -- one or both turbos is not building commanded boost
• Excessive black smoke under acceleration -- unburned fuel caused by insufficient air mass from a restricted or failing turbo
• Sluggish acceleration in the 1,500-2,500 RPM range where the EcoBoost normally produces strong torque -- turbo spool is delayed or inconsistent
• Oil consumption increasing without visible external leaks -- a failing turbo seal is passing oil into the intake or exhaust
• Grinding, chirping, or whistling from the turbo area under boost -- bearing wear or compressor wheel contact
• P0299 boost underperformance fault code -- the most common EcoBoost turbo code, indicating one side is not producing expected boost
• Elevated charge air temperatures at moderate boost levels -- the factory compressor wheels are working inefficiently, generating heat rather than efficiently pressurizing air

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the GT2260S kit include both left and right turbos?

Yes. The kit number 911984-5003S covers the complete twin-turbo upgrade for the 2017-2021 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost. Both the left and right turbocharger assemblies are included in the kit so the owner replaces both units together for matched performance and a single installation service.

Is a tune required after installing the GT2260S?

Yes. A tune is required to take advantage of the improved compressor maps the PowerMax upgrade provides. Running the GT2260S on the factory calibration leaves most of the performance gain unrealized because the stock tune is calibrated for the factory turbo compressor maps. A tune sets the correct boost targets and fueling for the upgraded wheels. Work with a tuner experienced on the Gen 2 3.5L EcoBoost platform.

Can the GT2260S be installed at home, or does it require a shop?

Turbo replacement on the 3.5L EcoBoost is a significant service that requires the upper engine components and charge pipes to be accessed on both sides of the engine. Most owners have this done at a performance shop rather than at home. The direct-fit design of the GT2260S means no custom fabrication is required, but the disassembly scope is substantial and the torque specifications for turbo mounting hardware must be followed correctly.

Bottom Line

The Garrett GT2260S PowerMax Stage 2 upgrade kit is the right Garrett turbocharger choice for a 2017-2021 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost owner running a tune and looking for a complete direct-fit twin-turbo upgrade. Both turbos are included, installation uses the factory locations, and the PowerMax compressor wheel design delivers lower charge temperatures and improved efficiency over the factory units at the same or higher boost levels. Pair the GT2260S with an intercooler upgrade and a quality tune, and the Gen 2 EcoBoost will deliver noticeably stronger performance across the power band.