2020 6.7L Powerstroke Diesel Gets Steel Pistons From the Factory

Talk about burying the lead. This is a huge detail that is easily missed. Steel pistons in a diesel are serious business. They can handle way more heat and pressure than an aluminum piston, and are often found in custom built race engines. Here's how Ford decided to announce the change in the 2020 Super Duty Press Release we posted this morning:

"Super Duty’s third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke includes a new 36,000-psi fuel injection system with all-new injectors that precisely meter and spray up to eight times per stroke to control noise levels and optimize combustion. This innovative inboard exhaust diesel V8 features a redesigned electronic-actuated variable-geometry turbocharger that provides improved pumping efficiency and throttle response. Structural enhancements increase the strength of the cylinder head, block, connecting rods and bearings to handle higher cylinder pressure and increased output. New steel pistons provide higher firing pressure capability and less friction – meaning improved performance and more horsepower and torque than ever."

Take a look at this pic:

6.7L_Steel_Piston_1.jpg


Immediately noticeable is the beefed up connecting rod. However, take a look at the piston. That's a one-piece steel unit that looks very much like a Mahle Monotherm. Mahle has been a Tier-1 supplier for a ton of components for Ford, including high-performance forged pistons for the SVT GT500 Mustangs, and I have a sneaking suspicion that they are at work here as well.

Monotherm_Thumb.jpg


Mahle Monotherms are widely used on Cummins B-Series engines in the drag racing and sled pulling worlds. Essentially, when you want to make stupid power in a diesel and you want it to last you install steel pistons. However, these one-piece designs are different than the two-piece style you typically see in 10+ Liter diesel engines. So this is a first, no other truck manufacturer is installing a piston like this in their diesels. Cummins just had the opportunity with their newly released 1,000lbft 6.7L B-Series, but they skipped out.

I predict you're going to see the 6.7L Powerstroke leap frog the Cummins by a decent margin. The 2020 Super Duty could very well have have the first 500HP diesel on the market, and torque is easily going to be over 1,000lbft.



2020_Super_Duty_001.jpg


2020_Super_Duty_002.jpg
 
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Currently in a 2500 Mega Cab 4x4 6.7 Cummins straight piped, CAI, and tuned with 96k trouble free miles. My next Diesel will be a Ford tho.
 
Love the 6.7 PS, but I sure hope Ford can work out all the gremlins. Easily the most problematic of the 3 diesels we use at work. Mostly turbo and emissions related issues. They don't seem to do well in extended idling conditions. Lot's of limp mode situations.
 
I caught that detail, but nice to see it emphasized, very cool! Several of the top aftermarket performance companies have released new steel pistons in the past year for Duramax, but no love for the powerstroke. Will be interesting to see how these hold up once they hit the streets.
 
I’ve been in a work van everyday without a truck and plow-less for 2 winters. I really want another pick up to smash around in. This truck sounds like it could be an animal.


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If the turbo can support it, I'm betting this Gen III 6.7 will stomp the 6.4 for the King of Bolt-ons Power Crown. Those pistons are a game changer.
Do you think Ford has a general idea what these motors can handle in the aftermarket when they build them? I've always wondered if they secretly push them to their limits before release just so they secretly know.
 
Do you think Ford has a general idea what these motors can handle in the aftermarket when they build them? I've always wondered if they secretly push them to their limits before release just so they secretly know.

Yes and no. They build them to a limit, but they don't really care about the aftermarket.
 

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