Banks 6 gun not impresive, your results ???

[mworner]

I just installed a six gun with the speed loader on a 03 non HO auto truck. He test drove the truck and was not very impressed with the output. Power change from 1-6 is barley noticable. boost only goes from 22 on 1 to24 on6, I am curious if anyone else is happy or dissapointed with the Banks and if they have any real world dyno #'s on their own truck.

 

[Diesel Nut]

Did you install a boost elbow? I am able to get 32# + on my truck. Am I happy with it, no, definetly not. Talked to banks this week and will be going to their shop for some discussions about issues with mine. Does your truck surge at cruise on level 5 or 6 around 75 mph?

 

[jhyatt]

why buy banks stuff anyway read all the other posts banks sucks. And yes before i knew about tdr i used many BANKS$$$$$$$$$ kits just not worth it

 

[DLeno]

The banks six gun is both powerful and requries a very precise install procedure. I have tested the box at 92 peak-to-peak horsepower gain at the rear wheels. It works as advertized. The secret is to follow the instructions EXACTLY, especially the learning sequences, looking at the blinking lights and interpreting what they mean, etc.



But once you go through things correctly, you will have no doubt that it works. the dern thing runs like a house on fire, and on level 6 you WILL notice the touchy throttle!



make sure the speed loader correctly sees an EGT probe. it won't even fuel unless its there. your description sounds like the speed loader is not engaged, which means either or both of the following: (1) it doesn't see hot enough EGT, or (2) the learning sequence hasn't completed correctly.



If you look at TDR issue #47, check out the EGT bar graph. it shows the Banks six gun runs about 150 degrees cooler than traditional pressure boxes at the same power level.



As I read through the Banks comments in many many previous threads, I notice that they seem to polarize their customer base more than others. either people heartily support them or people start dissing them for a variety of mostly opinions.



I'm pretty box agnostic, and have personally tested 10 boxes on the same truck; seen all but one on the dyno, etc. I find the Banks box, like many others, lives up to its claims. the only thing I can fault it for is the complexity of the install, and for that you get their drive train slip detection. the sophistication in this box is pretty impressive -- they are reading stuff off the CAN bus and making fueling decsions base on that info. You can't even swap the box onto another truck without going through the learning sequence again, because it knows the differerence. Once installed, though, its all smiles.

 

[Chris Thom]

I have been running the six gun w/ speed loader for 7 months and have had positive results, a few codes but nothing serious. The power is very noticeable between the lower and higher settings and level 6 is a little touchy on the throttle but I have become acustom to it and perfer the extra power on the lower end. For quite a while I was all smiles when on the throttle, but now I just expect the high level of performance. I like the Banks safety features and have had no problems with them. The install is tricky and took me 12 hours for a complete system including guages and exhaust. I returned the exhaust because it was too loud for me, with out a load at road speed it as fine, but accelerating and pulling it would ring my ears. That said, I do think the banks will need to raise the bar to compete with the new edge attitude II. That thing looks great and has tons of options that can be integrated.

 

[Dukenrock]

I have the Six Gun with Speed loader and exhaust as well. I notice every once in a while when set at 6 the unit shuts down. I have to restart the truck to get it going and it's fine. This has happened only about 5-6 times over a period of 6-7000 miles. It only happens if I'm driving a littlie more agressively. I haven't called banks about this yet. Anyone have an answer?



Other than that I noticed a huge improvement. It took me a full day to install the kit plus a few for the exhaust.

 

[gocirino]

I know some guys here don't like Banks. I bought my Six-Gun and Speed Loader from a reputable Banks Dealer, (http://www.etrdieselperformance.com/main.html) called ETR Diesel in Tenessee. I never had to call Banks but instead delt with Jeff At ETR. This guy is incredible! He even gave me his cell phone number and would except calls just about 24/7. In the end, buy from a reputable Banks dealer, you'll get much better service. I also got my system cheaper than from the Banks people too.

I installed the Six gun w/speed loader and love it. Major power and torque can be had if installed properly. Follow the post install directions for the computer and transmission re-learning.

 

[mworner]

Well it wasnt my choice of boxes but , No it does not have a boost elbow. And yes the program learning sequence was done properly then double and triple checked . No codes at this time just sorry power gains for the money. He is very unhappy that he got walked by a stock 6. 0 powerstroke. does that seem right ? It does have exaust, gauges ,and afe.

 

[juicedcummins]

If you are not impressed with the 6 gun wait till you need some customer service. [product support and product knowledge suck].

 

[mworner]

thats why i am here... after being on hold multiple times at an average of 35 mins, and them knowing nothing... i think it belongs in the trash along with their service.

 

[jhyatt]

yep and for all that money you would expect more i know i did

 

[jmolnar]

Looks Like A Lot Of People Like To Rip Banks Products, I Have Never Had Any Problems With Tech Support, Always Helpful. They Even Warrantied A Wiring Harness After Being Out Of Warranty For 16 Mos. As For Their Products Working As Designed, All Smiles. John.

 

[JTryles]

He is very unhappy that he got walked by a stock 6. 0 powerstroke. does that seem right ? It does have exaust, gauges ,and afe.

Banks being not all that great or not... that (getting stomped by a stock 6L) DOESN'T seem right to me???!!!!?

 

[jhyatt]

no rips just facts and alot of bank$$$$$$$$ :-laf

 

[driverno8]

Let's not even get me started on how bad they are at customer service. Believe me, I know first hand. Take 5 minutes and read this



http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines.com/forums/topic.ten-id-128483-s-banks_six_gun_vs_edge_attitude



If anyone's interested I distribute Calvin ******* on Banks stickers for free. Just shoot me an e-mail with your address. They come in white and I have left or right side. No charge. Any where in the world. As many as you want.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I have some expierence with the 6 Gun and Speed Loader. I have been working on the KORE race truck with King Kroeker for about a year. Banks is a sponser in Kore's racing effort. They installed a complete system on the truck: 6 gun/loader, exhaust, hi'ram intake, intercooler, and whatever else they do. I have previously had no expierence with Banks. I was a Biased Edge guy for years. I thought that Banks was overpriced, and didn't provide the "Bang For the Buck" that every other company offered. After driving the KORE/Banks equipped race truck through the desert I realized that I was wrong. The truck runs like a raped ape from the very beginning of the throttle all the way through redline. Low EGT's are very important in desert racing. We can run flat footed in a sand wash for 30 minutes. Not lifting for anything. Banks Six Gun and Speed Loader kept the mighty Cummins running hard and cool for 29 hours and 30 minutes at 90 mph in the Baja 1000. Banks aided KORE racing to finish 3rd place in the most grueling race in the world. Kore was only beaten by Team Hummer and Team Nissan. Both factory funded machines that were trailer home after the race. KORE was driven to the start line, and home after the race. Truly an amazing feat! I feel very strongly that part of this was due to the choice KORE made by using Banks products in a racing effort.



Just to make it clear:

I was never paid by KORE or Banks and never will be. I am just stating expeirence I have had with our trucks.



Greg Boardman

DRC

 

[TCDiesel]

Driverno8

Matt, I investigated what happen with un-bias prejudice. Yes I found that banks C/S could have been better. The DC rep Never I MEAN never return my calls,I talk to the dealer Their position was neutral, My opinion// that the truck should have been taken to cummins They could have told you the code was before or after the destruction,and would have given the proper evaluation. It was easy for the REP to deny your claim you were over a thousand miles from home. If you have a complaint, Its with DC they Denied your claim. With NO explanation. They should have PROVED what cause it. and if they won"t or can"t pursue the Matter.

Now Months Have gone by and look at the postings, ceaman burn the same motor twice,and NO mods. I have look into two other burns downs all related to internal or injector problems. One at the dealer when truck was idling.

Banks can have Problems with their tuners,Look at the LLY Smoke Loping. That why when installing performance equipment Find a knowledgable Shop that has tools that can get deep into ECM/PCM and is Bi-directional. Yes you can do a self-install but at your own risk. I could Post all Day about the Hack butcher stuff I see, Defeated circuits/bypass sensors,redirected,plug defeated, EGR. aftermarket sensors (china made). I had one 6. 0 Ford with Hard start and rough idling. he had Tractor oil in it,I Mention that the ford 6. 0 injection system does use the oil to increase the fuel pressure . We change it and the Problem was GONE.