The Ford F-150 needs no special introduction. It’s been America’s best-selling truck for the last five decades, and the best selling vehicle in the last 42 years. Since the first truck rolled off the production lines way back in 1948, The F-150 have seen dozens of iterations, all wiling to meet growing customer demands.
The same is true of the performance version, the Raptor, now in its third generation. While huge V8 engines have all but been retired, the lineup continues with more frugal, yet still powerful turbocharged Ecoboost powerplants. The current 3.5-litre V6 belts out a healthy 430hp, while seriously undercutting the extreme Raptor R for price. If want the performance of the R without the steep price tag, choose from the wide selection of Raptor upgrades.
These boost power numbers, get you a faster truck, and let you use leftover cash for things that matter. Simple yet effective upgrades, like a high-performance Raptor EcoBoost exhaust paired with aftermarket intakes improve airflow and get you bigger bangs to handle the excess heat and pressure that comes with more power. Also consider what revised and bigger intercoolers and related parts like blow-off valves can do for your truck.
Air Intakes

Air intake systems consist of tubing and filters to get outside air into the engine. Stock variants like you’d find in the EcoBoost engines aren’t anything to brag about and provide just the right air volume before it is mixed with fuel for combustion. For bigger bangs, fewer restrictions and oxygen-rich cooler air, you’ll want to swap this out with a cold air intake. The combination of parts scoops air lower down near the front bumper, and includes heatshields to deal with radiating heat form nearby engine parts.
The wider, longer and straighter tubing, the inclusion of air boxes and the lighter but sturdier build all have their benefits. Higher volumes of cooled air are redirected toward the combustion chamber at optimal angles and speed, increasing combustion efficiency and boost torque and power numbers over a wider power band. The 3.5-litre gets extra low-down kick, better throttle response, and higher redlines to extract all the engine has to give. Nice additions are the improved filtering with bigger cone filters and the louder engine growl in line with the bigger 5-litre V8s.
Aftermarket Exhausts

Intakes work best when paired with an equally capable exhaust system. For the 3.5-litre (and 2.7 version) you’ll be looking at wider tubing (usually half an inch) to get rid of spent gases faster than what the Raptor has fitted from the factory. With less restrictions, improved air flow and lower exhaust temperatures you’re doing the V6 a few favours.
Better built parts in high-grade stainless steel can easily cope with any power and heat gains, and add some of their own. Reworked tubing reduces backpressure, or the pressure exerted from slow-moving exhaust gas, improves turbo efficiency, and reduces engine stress. With improved combustion cycles, the engine gets on its business by producing bigger power numbers, while lowering potential damage to exhaust valves, oxygen sensors or turbine parts.
Different parts deliver different results. To limit exhaust restriction, first consider adding an aftermarket downpipe. Go with types with street-legal high-flow catalytic converters, turbo adapters to reduce backpressure and heat, and high-grade mounting clamps to prevent leaks. For improved sound, look into varying muffler and resonator combinations, high-flow mid tubes to get gases moving faster and the range of tips in sizes, designs, and materials of your choice.
Also consider materials and build. Mandrel bent tubing does better against impact from uneven roads and debris, maintains pipe uniformity (with no dents or punctures) and further aids airflow. Moreover, 304 or 409-grade stainless steel is ductile to get the bends in the right shapes and angles, tough enough to handle any kind of abuse, and lasts against water, mud and debris with higher corrosion and heat resistance. In a word, A Raptor EcoBoost exhaust upgrade gets better airflow, increased power, better sound, provides engine longevity and can lower fuel use with improved efficiency.
Intercooler Upgrades

Air intakes and exhausts add enough power for most drivers, but pressure and heat buildup can be an issue, especially when you’re pushing the Raptor harder. Intercoolers are turbo parts that cool hot compressed air before it gets into the combustion chamber. Hot air enters the intercooler, passes through the fins, and exchanges excess heat to surrounding air. The stock 3.5 litre EcoBoost intercoolers can struggle due to insufficient size and subpar build, impacting air temperature, density and efficiency.
Aftermarket variants with bigger inner cores, wider inlet and outlet tubing, aluminum hot-side and cast cold-side piping, and strong, neat TIG welds help with durability and structural integrity under higher pressures, while bigger end tanks increase airflow in and out of the turbo for improved spooling. The end result is a more efficient turbine, with power numbers to match. This adds more kick when accelerating from a standstill, faster overtaking and better towing performance.
Other Power Upgrades for Your Raptor
Upgrades that extract all engine power or add some more can be dirt cheap or cost thousands. Go with inexpensive, and simple to install throttle controllers for livelier and adjustable throttle response and faster acceleration, or swap the stock turbine with aftermarket turbo kits to double engine power. Just ensure you do the related work (strengthening pistons, connecting rods and cranks, adding performance cams, and doing a full ECU remap) to balance out power with longevity, and keep the Raptor running for years to come.