Banks info/feedback

[JHolmes]

I am considering the Banks Big Hoss Bundle for my 07 3500. Anyone buy this package? Any experience with Banks products good or bad? I hate to spend that much money without asking the experts first.

 

[Cummins724]

Do a search on Banks... . your money can go alot further using other suppliers. Banks bundle $3900, Smarty & gauges $1000... . you will outpull, outrun Banks equipped trucks & still have enough money for a good transmission upgrade or turbo. Just my $. 02

 

[rubberneck]

What he said

 

[lil red cummins]

based on my experience with TST, you would be much better off with the TST product. and probably money left in your pocket.



i don't have any personal experience with Banks. i've been taught that if you can't say something good about a product, don't say anything.



so... ...





jim

 

[drury]

I came very close to putting Banks on my truck until somebody here showed me the dollars and cents of the thing. Using other suppliers he was able to give me everything I was going to get at Banks plus a turbo for the same price as Banks without the turbo.



For myself, I was impressed with the land speed records that the Banks team had set. But don't be under any illusions that Gale Banks is going to take a personal interest in your truck and that you will be getting the same equipment that went into that truck. You'll do far better finding a good installer in your area that knows his stuff and can give you good advice.



Around here, the hot mods seem to be:



electronic boxes: Smarty+TST+MP-8 (max power & max smoke)

Edge Hot Juice & EZ (more civilized, but a little less power)

Gauges: You need EGT & Boost. These are included in the TST box or in the Edge Juice w/Attitude. If you start with just a programmer such as the Smarty, you will need to budget for the gauges. If you like gauges, you may want to include a gauge for fuel pressure and rail fuel pressure as well.

Air Intake: AFe or BHAF, depending on your budget. If I was doing it over I would go AFe. It's on all the high HP trucks around here.

Air Intake Horn: The Banks one has been dynoed as a power robber, and you really don't need it, but if you feel the urge, check out the new Glacier Diesel Power design in the R&D forum. It hasn't been dynoed yet, but the design is at least sensible. The CFMplus is pricier, but has been flowed head to head against the Banks unit, and substantially outperformed it.

exhaust: MBRP is popular, I went with Rokktech due to the reduced noise. Your piping is 4", so all you really need to do is replace the muffler. I don't think the specific model of performance muffler matters much -- it's really a matter of taste when it comes to the sound.

Intercooler: This is not a particularly popular mod because it's not cost effective unless you are really worried about EGT's, but since Banks offers one I will tell you that I love my Spearco, and that it outperforms the Banks unit.

Turbo: size it for your application. For street use, the HTT Super Stock 62 is a good choice, and the Industrial Injection Super Phat Shaft is a popular alternative. This will do much more for you than the Banks intercooler and 4" exhaust piping that replaces your existing 4" exhaust piping, and the Banks High-Ram intake that robs you of 12 HP.

Fuel Pump: Glacier Diesel Power (which I strongly prefer) or FASS/Airdog. Not strictly sure these are necessary, but they are popular. If you get one, make sure you get a 2 micron or better fuel filter. The stock fuel injectors and fuel filtration system are one of the weak spots on the vehicle, and if you are going to overfuel the engine you want the fuel as clean as possible.

Transmission: You really need to do something to upgrade it if you are going to be adding more than 100HP and especially if you are towing. Suncoast & Goerends are popular. ATS is also worthy of your consideration. If you've got a manual, I think South Bend clutches are popular. On the other hand, you can just drive it till you blow it out and get a new one then.



That should get you started spending money on your truck. After those upgrades, you can think about injectors, camshafts, dual CP3 pumps, porting the head, nitrous, and water/methane injection.

 

[firemansdiesel]

Well I have the Banks Bundel minus the Six Gun w/ PDA. It works great. Yea it may be a $100 or $200 more depending where you buy it. As for as the Ram Manifold goes. Maybe the stand alone manifold that replaces the stock one w/o the Techni cooler may lose hp, but with the complete setup I doubt you lose power. I didn't. Remember the Ram Manifold that comes with the Techni Cooler is bigger than just the stand alone that you can buy for the stock intercooler. Two different ones. The new CAI is great.

 

[CHolman]

I'm going to be nice and say "DON'T DO IT!!!" Get the TST R49 and or a Smarty, good flowing exhaust and intake and your set.

 

[EDaigneault]

I have a banks six gun with speed loader, big head waste gate, pyro and boost gauge, i love it, but it s true , to expensive for the power, but safe for motor.







03, 305, h. o. , 4x4, qc, lb, dark slate met, 6sp, 3:73

superlift 2",dual steer. stab. , banks 6gun-speedloader-pyro-boost-big head waste gate, 4"magnaflow, k-n fipk, 33"toyo, hellwig rear swaybar,pml diff. cover,amsoiled,power slot rotor,ebc pads, reccaro seat, suncoast creation ram air hood (srt-10 style)modified to be fonct. with diesel, fx trail nerfbar,heberram shift knob.

 

[RAlberg]

I bought the six gun and pda. Had trouble and got zero customer service. As a result I sent it all back. It took many months to get my money back, but eventually Banks gave me a refund. If you decide to go ahead go to an experienced shop that will stand behind the product and provide customer support. Dealing direct, in my case, was a disaster. :-laf :-laf



Since then I began diligently reading this website have dealt with companies recommended here for gauges, suspension, lighting etc and have and have not been disappointed since.

 

[rotohead]

If money was not a factor... and I'm just curious... not rich, it sounds like similar power increase levels compared with Banks vs other aftermarket combos... Banks has something to offer. I've read all the other threads on Banks since I've been at TDR but the only rap that seems to stick on Banks is the money factor. Can anybody accurately compared Banks to other products w/o the money factor and from independent sources?
Chuck

 

[dpuckett]

I dont think anyone is knocking Banks or saying they have an inferior product, but you just get more bang for the buck if you go with others. I dont care how much money you make or have, it is just good financial sense to get the same amount of product (in this case, power enhancement) for half the price, all else (quality, reliability, performance, etc) being equal. That leaves more money for other "investments", if you will.



BTW- I ran a used Banks housing on my 1stGen, and while spoolup was somewhat improved, I definitely wouldnt spend $600+ on it for no more performance than I got. I took a die grinder to the stock housing and ported it. Got nearly identical performance for 30min time.



DP

 

[firemansdiesel]

I had the Banks Six Gun w/ PDA. It was on for about two weeks and the PDA would not stay connected with the Six Gun. I took it back to the Authorized Banks dealer where I bought it and had it installed. They replaced the cable and docking station. Still did not fix it. Banks wanted me to send it in for repairs or maybe send a new PDA. So I decided to get a refund because I have a problem w/ first time impressions especially when it comes to money cost ( no problem returning it because I did not go direct through Banks, just the authorize dealer). So I got the Edge Juice w/ Attutude. I like it alot and I feel it has more down low and steady power than the Six Gun. I will say the PDA has a better screen and more options than the Attitude, but both have the same safety features.

The rest of my Banks Bundel has run great. The Banks Exhuast, CAI and Intercooler runs about the same as the others. Atleast when I purchased mine. If you buy Banks. Go through a nearby authorize dealer. All your questions or problems w/ the product will get handled faster and taken care of. You also have thirty day refund w/ the tuner.

I was also told by a Banks Dealer that if your not working your truck hard off road then your better off w/ another tuner because of the pressure it delivers for power.

 

[rotohead]

I dont think anyone is knocking Banks or saying they have an inferior product, but you just get more bang for the buck if you go with others. I dont care how much money you make or have, it is just good financial sense to get the same amount of product (in this case, power enhancement) for half the price, all else (quality, reliability, performance, etc) being equal. That leaves more money for other "investments", if you will.

DP

I'm trying to ask the question w/o considering ''good financial sense"... and again I'm just curious... not looking to do any mods in the power arena (and not looking to start any thread wars)...

does Banks have different products from all the others... Smarty w/TST or Edge w/att or etc etc... . or is it just marked up products smilar to those. I've never seen Banks products in person so I don't know... Customer service is an altogether different deal. I'd pay extra to a vendor I know provides top notch customer service when I buy.
Chuck

 

[Rattler]

Something else to consider. Go to a local competition(drag or pull) and see who is running what. I don't think you will see any banks stuff. Randy

 

[Cummins724]

Can anybody accurately compared Banks to other products w/o the money factor and from independent sources?

Chuck

I had a Banks Big Hoss [red box] that claimed to add 70hp to my rig... . I called Banks technical support after installing it to see why it wasn't working. The tech said if the light is on it is working... . Where's the power? I send it back... same thing... . can't really tell a difference in my truck. I then sent it back & got a ottomind [black box] that was suppose to add over 100hp... . tried towing my skid steer up Route 68 into WV. My top speed was 45mph all the way with it floored. I sent it back & got a Edge comp... . 72mph up same hill with the same load a week later & I could have went faster. I had no other mods at that time.

 

[JHolmes]

Thanks for the input guys... ...

Good customer service is everything to me. I have to live with this truck and the upgrades I do for a LONG time. This also means a potential long term relationship with the companies I plan to spend my money with. Service after the sale is just as important as having a good product. Maybe they should spend less money on their incredible marketing machine and pay attention to long term customer satisfaction.

Look at the money they won't see because the word of mouth sales are not here.

I really hope the smaller companies that advertise here pay attention to these forums.

My hard earned dollars will be going to the guys that have a proven record of great customer service.

If anyone has recommendations based on a good experience, let me know so i can put them on my short list.

 

[Cummins724]

The best companies for service after the sale are Edge products & Wagner and Associates in my opinion. I needed a boost elbow for my Edge... . called them up & they overnighted the elbow & didn't charge me a penny. They also gave me 4 Edge decals. If you buy a Smarty and have a question... . Bob Wagner is a member here on TDR & he answers them fast. He also gaurantees his products for 30 day money back. He sends out demo tuners for people to try before you buy... . try that with another company!

 

[BTowler]

Edge Juice W/Attitude, you get your gauges, up to 120hp on the fly adjustable, a turbo timer and a host of other neat features. If you spring for the A2 monitor you get a gps and backup camera plus 6 parameters displayed instead of the 4 with the Attitude.

 

[MDTyree]

I've got the banks six gun with speedloader on my 04 ram 2500, It works great and you really don't need any gauges because it has safegaurds built in it. Also if it makes you have a little more comfort level, there is a dodge dealer that will put the banks system on the brand new truck for you without voiding the warranty. That's what sold it on me.

 

[ChrisPeterson]

i had a banks power pack, then i bought a edge juice w/ attitude. Juice is just unbelievable compared to the power pack, thats on level two (tow) still have 4 more levels. I would definently not go banks again