Banks Exhaust Too Loud?

[RADdodge]

Has anyone with a Banks 4" exhaust (or someone that has heard a Banks) experienced a resonating drone sound especially under load? I heard someone literally trashed a Banks exhaust at May Madness who only had it a couple of months. I'm worried because I have an appointment to have one installed soon. I like the stainless steel aspect, but won't be happy if it's too loud on the road. If it did resonate too much, would a different muffler help? Any experiences would be helpful. Thanks.

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2001 RAM 3500 Quad Cab SLT+, 4WD, Auto, 4. 10 Anti-Spin Differential, Trailer Tow Pkg, Camper Pkg, Flame Red, Tan Leather, 19. 5 Alcoa wheels/ Michelin 285/70R19. 5 XZA (Dual Designs Wheel Adapters); Rancho 9000 Shocks; Clifford AvantGuard Alarm System with IntelliStart 4; Isspro Digital Pyrometer & Analog Boost in A Pillar, Isspro Hour Meter, Powervision Electric Extension Mirrors; Gator Bed Liner, Westin Platinum CPS step bars, Electric Tailgate Lock; 5 lb. Halon Fire Extinguisher; Klasse Acrylic Sealant; Lance '94 10'-9" 880 Camper w/all options plus.

 

[illflem]

When I installed Banks mufflers on both my rigs I noticed no increase in sound level just more of a deeper tone. Don't worry you'll like it.

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'95 2500 4X4, AT, Driftwood, Banks Stinger, Warn fender flairs and running boards (work truck)
'95 3500, 5 speed, 3:54, BD E-brake, Driftwood, Banks & Psycotty, 34,000 GCW apple and tractor hauler (works harder truck)

 

[John]

illflem, you have a DIFFERENT Banks exhaust system on your two rigs than the 24v system. The 12v Banks system consists of a cat. back 3. 5" dia. mandrel bent aluminized steel tailpipe with a chambered Dynaflow aluminized steel muffler. I installed one of these on my Ram prior to the release of the 24v 4" dia. system. The system you speak of is pretty quiet with a nice throaty sound.

The Banks 24v exhaust system is a complete turbo back, 4" dia. mandrel bent exhaust system made of 409 stainless steel... including the straight through style, Dynaflow muffler. For obvious reasons it flows quite a bit better than its Banks 12v counterpart however, there is a price... increased exhaust noise. You will have to choose whether that is objectionable to you or not. Personally, I have ridden in many Rams with many different 4" systems (and configurations) and most produce some sort of annoyance (to me) at different RPMs etc... . the exception being the (unmodified) system from Stan's Headers. Stan uses an Allied straight through style muffler with his system that virtually eliminates any droan.

Evan Beck just installed a Banks 4" dia, exhaust system on his Ram MINUS the muffler ( #ad
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)and he is REALLY pleased with the results. It sounds loud outside although, he says it's pretty quiet in the cab... quieter than if the muffler had been installed (assuming the windows are up). As he installs these systems on a daily basis at The PowerShop, he is a pretty good judge of in cab noise level for these systems. He's even tried talking me out of my muffler. #ad
#ad
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..... has he!! frozen yet? #ad


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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & DD trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, "special" Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass w. trick billet block adapter and Aeroquip Teflon-s/s hoses, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP s/s fuel hoses, tricked out Cummins valve cover, tricked out Banks High-Ram and 14 cm2 (wastegated) turbine housing, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

COMING ATTRACTIONS: break out those sun glasses! Plus, BLACKOUT gets a "BIG GULP"

NRA Life (Patron) member

 

[Evan A. Beck]

*LOL* Crackin' up here, John!!! #ad


Seriously though, my truck is not one bit louder in the cab than with a muffler installed. In fact, the 4" system w/o a muff is quieter than my stock 3" system was, with the muff of course. #ad
Funny sidenote, my ETH's original muffler only lived on the truck for 150 miles! It still looks like new, albiet with a coat of dust on it! #ad


Ya gotta admit, John... It does sound pretty good. #ad

 

[John]

#ad

 

[Deezal Man]

Having played with various exhaust systems on sportbikes. If you put two identical exhaust systems on the same bike, one being steel, the other being SS. The stainless system is notably louder. I can't explain why... . just know SS is louder. .

As far as someone trashing a Banks system. I can understand not liking it. . maybe. But trashing it??? Wish I had that kind of money to burn. I at least hope he gave it to someone who could use it and didn't have extra money.

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98. 5' Emerald Green 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285. 75. 16's Bridgestone Dueler A/T's on 16" x 8" Alcoa's under Rancho 9000's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk).

 

[Tom W]

My original message was lost. I had my Banks muffler replaced in Las Vegas. I have been happy with my Banks Stinger Plus system and their service. I had a resonance at 2100RPM that was very annoying - especially to my wife. Banks sent me an additional resonator, at no charge, which helped somewhat but did not completely eliminate the resonance. I did not "trash" the complete system - I replaced the muffler and resonator with dual Walker mufflers. The 24" muffler, #17225, was installed at the bottom of the down pipe. The second muffler, #21471, was installed as far to the rear as possible. There is close to four feet between the mufflers. There is still some resonance but my wife is happy and says there is a big improvement. There is still a nice deep exhaust tone. Diesel Dynamics did the install and welded all the connections which I think is an improvement over the clamped system. Total cost was $303. 78, including labor of $100.
Tom

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Tom W in Austin Tx 98 24v 2500 Quadcab, auto, 3. 54, lsd, Rhino, white/driftwood, Banks Stinger Plus, 275 injectors, Manix grill, nerf bars , DTT's TC, valvebody, cooler, Smartbox, Mag-hytec trans & diff, Pac brake, Bilsteins.

[This message has been edited by Tom W (edited 05-24-2001). ]

 

[John]

Deezal Man, one of my posts on this thread was lost! I speculated that the increased noise/droan of the Banks stainless steel exhaust system was due to the material it was fabricated from. Thank you for substantiating this.

 

[RADdodge]

The member that trashed his system replied to this thread, but his message was lost with several other messages when the server dumped. I hope all that replied can take the time and re-enter their comments. Anyway, he basically said he won in Vegas and could afford to pacify his wife. Seems the exhaust resonated at about 2000 RPM if I remember correctly. Anyway, that's what I'm looking for, the RPM or speed range and opinions on how sever the resonance is. If anyone has had any success in reducing or changing the frequency or amplitude of the resonance, please post that too. There was also a message on this thread about less noise in the cab without a muffler! Please re-post. Thanks again.

 

[RADdodge]

Thanks everyone. Looks like there are solutions if resonance is a problem after installation. That was a good point on the inherent ringing sound of SS vs. Aluminized Steel. I don't think I'd be too popular here without a muffler! And just can't imagine pulling into a campground late at night! Also, thanks Tom for straightening out the someone "trashed his Banks exhaust" rumor. My wife also has sensitive hearing,I only have selective hearing!

 

[Ramboy00]

I have the Banks PowerPack and if I had it to do over, I would order the system minus the muffler. I love the system but the noise at 2100 - 2200 rpm will drive you nuts. You have to either drive above or below it.
Phil

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'99 D3500, auto. ,2WD,3. 55 LSD, all options, Banks Power Pack w/K&N filter,DTT TC & VB, Mag-Hytec pan, '99 40ft. Alfa Gold Triple-slide 5'er
"Ignore your rights and they'll go away. "

 

[ANCIENT WOOD]

I am just the opposite of most of the replies, the Banks muffler was too quiet for me so I relaced it with a straight pipe. With the Banks muffler it was no louder than stock except when I was pulling hard, then there was a bit of a rumble.

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1998. 5 QC 2500 4X4 24 VALVE, INTENSE BLUE, 235-85 MICHELIN, BANKS STINGER,DD Stage1 injectors, BD ebrake, PE-EZ to replace the Banks ottomind box ,5 Sp, 3. 54

 

[Randy]

I had a muffler shop in town install a 4" system from turbo to tailpipe. I noticed a drone at about 2000 rpm as well. I found a cheep way to get rid of the drone. I bought a roll of the "Insulator" from Geno's Garage. It cost me $32, and I just wrapped the exhaust system from the bend of the down pipe to the muffler and secured it with Aluminum tape. The drone is now gone. And the wife is happy.

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Randy Richmond, 98. 5 24 valve, 52,000 mi, 2500, 5 speed, 4" exhaust, 4x4, 3. 54, LB, QC, Van Aaken CPC, Bosch 275 HP injectors, PacBrake, Walker flowthru muffler, Amsoil, running boards, Leer Shell, Metalic Red.

 

[RADdodge]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It looks like there are several ways to solve a resonance problem. I'll go ahead with the Banks install this Friday. Thanks again.

 

[RADdodge]

Well I did it. Had the Banks 4" exhaust installed Friday. Not much difference in sound until you get on it. Hardly noticeable in the cab. They spot welded the tubes together besides the clamps. On thing I did notice, the truck runs about 80° cooler as indicated on the pyro. I always did think that this truck ran a little hot.



FYI- I was reading some interesting material located through the LINKS on the TDR under "How to Build a High Performance Cummins. " Although it is directed to the "Big Boys," there are some tidbits that are applicable to us. The following is quoted from Bruce Mallinson, CEO Diesel Injection.





”Why does keeping your exhaust system insulated allow for a cooler running engine? We all should know that restriction in the exhaust system will rob the engine of performance but why do we want to keep the turbine housing and exhaust pipes insulated? After we realized the benefits of insulating the turbine housing we were informed that we should wrap the first three feet of exhaust pipe from the turbo. Well, that seemed simple enough to us and we’ll always try anything that will enhance performance without sacrificing engine life or fuel mileage. So we ordered a box of header wrap and on the end of the box was a paragraph titled, "How does it work"? One thing that is commonly overlooked by most racers is the matter of heat retention in the exhaust pipes. We have to remember that as soon as the combusted gasses leave the combustion chamber they start to cool down. As they cool they lose velocity and the scavenging effect is reduced. If the temperature of the gasses inside the pipes is kept as high as possible the net effect will be greater velocity, greater pressure drop in the system and higher efficiency. Very recently we have experimented with heat retention materials to improve the efficiency of exhaust systems. These shields retain heat in the exhaust pipes so the exhaust velocity remains very high. This will improve the scavenging effect. This is from Smokey Yunick’s Chevy engine guide in Hot Rod magazine’s high performance series. For those of you who were hot rodders from the 60’s and 70’s you must recognize the name Smokey Yunick. ”



There is also some relevant information on polishing the inside of the compressor housing on turbochargers. More boost and lower temps. Check it out if you have the time, however the article is very long!