Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) $2600 for Banks Power Pack???

[JL penner]

This is what I was quoted for :--) . I guess I need to start saving some more pennies :{ . Any opinions on if Banks is really worth that much extra cash?? That's not even including the Banks Brake!! I don't think I want to know what that one costs . Oh well, good thing I bought an ETH. It keeps me content.

 

[GOTSOOT]

J L ; Save your pennies for some ones else`s stuff. B_ _ _ _`s is overrated and underpowered!!! You can do a whole lot better some where else!

 

[Spunkys Ram]

I don't know much about Banks performance goodies but I know I have a lot of stuff on my truck that cost less then $2600 and made it a pretty powerful rig. Everyone has their prefrence. I'm really happy with my set-up.

 

[SEmerson]

well to be comparable... ... ... ...



edge comp box $700

rip rook exhaust $350

exhaust tip $35

k&N drop in filter $100

PDR housing $177

pod with 2 gauges autometer $150



Total $1512



This covers all the parts that are listed on banks site for the power pack of a 2001. Except the intake horn that drops 10 HP. And would put you atleast as high HP #'s as the power pack.



Also at 145 HP no matter who makes the parts you better start saveing for a clutch or trans.

 

[2ndgen2500]

everyone knows, banks sells overpriced products, stay away from banks, their exhaust does sound good, but everything else is very very overpriced for what you get. buy some injectors and a comp... you will be a much happier camper. dont do a K&N that lovely oil will build up in your turbo not a pretty sight, just go with a simple 50$ BHAF, you can score a dodgezilla or other comperable quick spool up turbos to help with egts for less than a grand, and some exhuast. . i bought a brand new comp on ebay for 520$, got it in 3 days.

 

[jrhodes]

I have the banks power pack system on my truck. I have had no problems of any kind with the Banks products. Yes there are other products at different price levels, but if I had to do it all over again, I would buy Banks again. I put the Banks system on my truck around 26,000 miles. I now have a little over 88,000. There have been no problems with the truck other than normal maintenance, or what I have chose to upgrade to handle the extra power. Relilability and piece of mind is priceless. Thats my two cents worth.

 

[2ndgen2500]

banks does one thing well, and that is marketing, you dont get enough bang for your buck IMO, i spent about 2,000$ on my whole system and id be willing to bet some money that my truck will tear up one with the power pack, how do i know? my friend decided to go that route... i have had no problems of any kind with any product i have on my truck... so yes, reliability and piece of mind are pricelesss

 

[juicedcummins]

I used some Banks products about 7 years ago and was very disapointed with the lack of their own product knowledge.

Banks products are overpriced and their gains are not as high as claimed.

Stick with Edge,tst for your fueling boxes. These can be found @ many TDR advertisers. PDR ,Dtt are the top of my list.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Banks is on the higher end price wise and they don't claim as much HP/TQ improvements but I've seen the place - actually interviewed there for a development engineering position - and IMO they do a pretty darn good job of system integration. I believe they are the only ones to get CARB certification for their products.



I've never dealt with Banks as a customer. My dad has a the Banks stuff on his '96 - he bought/installed thru The Power Shop in Enumclaw, WA. and really likes his set-up.



Brian

 

[jhyatt]

banks sucks ive had there stuff on many trucks no power and lots of $$$$$$

 

[JL penner]

Bully Dog??

I've kept the banks in mind because my Dad and installed a system on my old 92 F250 non turbo 7. 3 liter. It made the truck somewhat driveable. Of course I traded the truck to my Dad for a 77 shortbed 1/2 ton (1 ton springs) with a 454/th400 in it (fun truck til I spun a rod bearing racing a porshe on the freeway). Rebuilt the engine and sold it to my brother. Sold my '67 Plymouth and now here I am with '01 CTD and just itching to bomb it!! Oo.



Horses get all the extra money though so budget is a little tight. I was looking at the bully dog systems and I liked what I saw. Any opinions on propane injection? Does it raise/lower EGT? I can go step by step with that and not break myself.



Banks is sending me some more info, I've got a few fellow CTD'ers (2nd and 3rd gen) that I Team Pen with that are waiting to see what I do with my truck before the bomb theirs (I'm the guinne pig). I was hoping to get a break on the price if installing my system gets them a couple more sales, but I'm not so sure that will happen.



Well, there's a lot more out there than I thought, my eyes are starting to open up quite a bit more, this is the whole reason I joined this forum!!



Thanks for all the help!

 

[TractorNut]

I see you are in CA there are some good shops in your area... If you are wanting a "system" and not components. . call the different vendors listed here. . (check out some of the links. ) They will build or design a system to your needs. . (and $$$) and I think you will be happier... . If you chose a local dealer. . some will let you try the plug and play type boxes. . before you buy. . or let you exchange them if its not what you want... (find some local TDR members... they will properly guide you to the dark side... . but they can help you find the correct shop... )

Good Luck. .

Bryan

 

[CTA]

I have an '03 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 w/the H. O. engine and the 6 speed manual. I am ordering the Banks Six Gun Bundle tomorrow. Sure you haven't had any problems? What kind of fuel mileage improvement did you see. Notice anything different hauling, etc as stated? A lot of $$$ for the stuff but like you said, the $$$ is paying for peace of mind and that is what I care most about. I heard a few horror stories about the "other" products available that offer similiar improvements with less research and safety features built in!



Thanks.

 

[Graphic man]

I almost got that kit too from Banks, imo there stuff is way over priced !!!

i went with the edge comp box, WOW what a difference and for $550 thats allot of bang for the $$$

i live in Toronto drove to Philly and got 15. 7 mpg installed the box and some autometer gages, drove from philly back to Toronto i got 20. 3 mpg now thats something we all could use, i dont think banks kit would get that !!!

 

[CTA]

I'll let you know over the next (5) weeks. Will be ordering the Bundle tomorrow, installing w/in the next few weeks and driving from VT to MD and back hauling a 6,000 lb. camper. I know what I have been getting for mileage and performance, time will tell. Seen several posts regarding "cooked" engines while using the product you mentioned, lack of safety features is what concerns me ... . I'm a simple Woodchuck from VT, need someone else to keep an eye on me!

 

[BLACKRAM]

Don't waste your money on Banks. No one who has been at this awhile uses Banks.



There are better suppliers, with better results for far less money.

 

[darkhorse]

Banks can bring out the controversy for sure. I'm know if you shop around you can find a better price on Banks equipment. Check out some independent Banks dealers. I bought a banks exhaust system & brake for $1,500 last February. The brake is excellent. I used a used Edge EZ for several months & it worked very well. I now run with Marco's MAD CaTCHER ECM & it workes even better. With Formula 1's mach 1. 5 EDM injectors, I get 19-20 mpg in every day driving & pull 25 at a steady 65 mph cruise.

 

[rkdblacksmoke]

CTAnderson ---I have an '03 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 w/the H. O. engine and the 6 speed manual. I am ordering the Banks Six Gun Bundle tomorrow. Sure you haven't had any problems? What kind of fuel mileage improvement did you see. Notice anything different hauling, etc as stated? A lot of $$$ for the stuff but like you said, the $$$ is paying for peace of mind and that is what I care most about. I heard a few horror stories about the "other" products available that offer similiar improvements with less research and safety features built in!

Your talkin third gen here. There was a post a few months back of a guy whos 6gun gave him enough peace of mind to burn a hole in the top of his piston. I live a couple miles from Edge Products, I know they research there products. I ran a comp and some other goodies on an o1 I used to own for a couple years and never had a bit of problem and I know it would smoke the H&#@ out of the same truck with a Banks Power Pack, for half the price.

I will admit though that the main ingredient for damage is a heavy right foot nomatter how your truck is bombed.

 

[RWatson]

I installed the Banks Power pack system on my 2000 about 3 years ago and it has for the most part been a good system and was super easy to install. I installed the system myself in about 4 1/2 hours including guages.



Since joining TDR, I have gained a much better understanding on all the other options we have for our trucks and if I had the chance to do it over, I believe I would take my CTD down a different path.



I would have chossen a set of Stage II injectors and an EZComp box, a 4" exhaust and an PDR HX35 turbo with a set of Isspro guages. I feel that all of this would provide me more power for an equal to less hit on the pocket book than the Banks kit.



I must say though that I love the sound of thier exhaust and have had many compliments on it's sound, but I do have to question the value the intake really provides.



Just my 1/2 cent

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

Some people DON'T learn, you could lead the horse to the water. . .

Like CTanderson, he wants to find out the hard way

Banks is a JOKE CT will find that out very fast :-laf