Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Banks Otto Mind

[Eric Lee]

Don't get me wrong - I would REALLY like to try an Edge box, but with a really good running system (currently) I can't rationalize spending the dough chasing ' better'. If the Banks box crapped on me, would I buy another? - No. Not because I didn't like it though - whatever box will have egt limiting abilities. My foot won't.



I wish it would quit - then I could try something else.



-ya know you make a real good point about expected life span of these boxes.



- Eric

 

[RLinkins]

This is kind of a change of the current conversation but When I first put my ottomind on I was hitting 40+ psi pulling a hill and max out the egt's I had to get some work done at the dealer so I disconnected the tap. Well when I put it back on I barely max 30 psi and egts can hardly go above 900. Then I stacked an edge drag comp to it and I got more power but still can't do better than 30psi and 900on egt. I am thinking I have a bad tap connection but looking for others opinions till I get up there and tinker. It hurts to bad to climb on that rig to do it more than I really have to. thanks

 

[Eric Lee]

That connection is also a possible culprit to intermitant operation - Currently I am running the little blue scotchlock 'vampire' tap that came with the box. I have yet to get back in there and solder it up. It was tighter than a school girls caboose in there and I've always wondered about the connection - my buddy showed me a 'Cold Heat' solder 'pen' the other day that looked like just the ticket for this procedure.

-Eric

 

[Herman8r]

That connection is also a possible culprit to intermitant operation - Currently I am running the little blue scotchlock 'vampire' tap that came with the box. I have yet to get back in there and solder it up. It was tighter than a school girls caboose in there and I've always wondered about the connection - my buddy showed me a 'Cold Heat' solder 'pen' the other day that looked like just the ticket for this procedure.

-Eric

Ecic--what is the cold heat solder gun? I have suspected the wire tap connection may be the problem also.



HJR

 

[Eric Lee]

I just looked it up on eBay - search 'cold heat solder'. There is a seller with a bunch on there for cheap with a wire stripper. It's a Coleman product - probably from china but made pretty well. I've seen it work - it does.

-Eric

 

[hpyman123]

Edge and TST

I bought my electronics TST and Edge from Heath Diesel. I also bought my hybrid turbo and transmission mods thru them. Bill Heath is the gentleman I've dealt with and have been very satisfied. Only thing I regret is the ATS valve body. Doesn't work that well. I'm going to pull the transmission again and just have it completely gone thru and have billet input and output shafts added as I'd like to get to the 500 HP range.

 

[Southern Ram]

Herman,

I sent both the box and wiring back but they never said what was wrong.

I would go with the Comp box and some mild injectors and you will be amazed at what a diff it makes



Todd

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Cold Heat solder gun is available at Radio Shack, about $20. 00 plus $14. 00 for the recommended lithium batteries. And only use the smallest diameter solder you can find (also at Radio Shack).



Trent

 

[Herman8r]

Todd-does the Comp Box hard wire to the same wire as the Banks unit? I do have 275 injectors-so that sounds like a good way to go.



Trent--thanks for the info on the solder gun. It just might be the right tool for the wire tap as we all know what a major pain in the neck it is to install the tap connection!!



Thanks again guys, Herman

 

[Eric Lee]

I ordered a Comp from Piers today - and a boost guage. - I know... ... ... I'm weak.



- Eric

 

[Herman8r]

Good Luck Eric. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Eric Lee]

Well - I've moved my easy chair out here by the mailbox to wait for the Comp. I can not wait to get it in my truck and see what the buzz is about.



Mark at PDR told me that a TST box for my truck (an auto trans) would modify only pressure and the Edge box would modify both timming and pressure. I understand now why guys 'stack' the TST with the EZ. I would have liked a box that had a EGT limiter built in, but I can always re-install the Ottomind if I feel unprotected... ... ... ...



- Eric

 

[FishDoc]

Otto mind

Many problems with Otto Mind. After 4 different modules and two wiring harnesses and various other things and $500 in diagnostic charges at Dodge, I requested a refund. When the refund didn't happen, I took off all of the electronics, etc. and sent them back to Banks. After some time, I r3eceived a refund of over $600.



I talked with Banks many times and they were always nice, courteous, and tried to be helpful. It was that it simply didn't work on my truck

 

[bsappington]

I had the same problem with my Ottomind. I contacted banks and they told me to disconnect the wire tap to the VP-44. When I did this the problem went away. It turns out that When the dodge dealer change my injection pump and tapped the wire for the VP-44 they use one of those cheap crimp on wire splices. It had a bad contact and I suppose as the when the sigal strenght got stronger at WOT it was losing contact. To solve this I did not cut the wire on the VP-44. Ijust striped the insulation back and soldered the wire from the Ottomind to it. Then I covered it with silicone and let it dry. Problem solved.

I hope it would be this easy for you. I fought this problem for some time. I never thought it would be that splice. Ofcourse it was the last thing I checked in the whole system.

I have not had a problem with the whole banks system since except for a MAP sensor.



Good luck!

Ben

 

[DieselLady]

Well - I've moved my easy chair out here by the mailbox to wait for the Comp. I can not wait to get it in my truck and see what the buzz is about.



Mark at PDR told me that a TST box for my truck (an auto trans) would modify only pressure and the Edge box would modify both timming and pressure. I understand now why guys 'stack' the TST with the EZ. I would have liked a box that had a EGT limiter built in, but I can always re-install the Ottomind if I feel unprotected... ... ... ...



- Eric

Good choice on the Edge Comp. I think you will be very happy with it. I have been running it for almost 3 years in my 99 with stock injectors. Tows great and egts stay in decent ranges. I finally dyno'ed the truck at May Madness with the comp off and again with it turned up to the 5/5 setting. Went from 216 hp to 304 uncorrected. almost 90 hp gain with no other mods except a 4" exhaust. Last Sat if finally installed a set of new 100 hp edm injectors to top it off. On the test drive, with a bed full of painting equip and 100 degrees outside I maxed the egts at 1500 but only for a few secs and as soon as it shifted they dropped to 1300 and started cooling down. Boost stayed around 32psi consistantly. Goes like a bat out of h#xx and I couldn't be happier. Before the injectors I did a consistant 15. 6 sec in the 1/4 mile, with lots of trouble getting it to hook up. We will see what happens in July at the race track. Maybe I can brake 15. 0

Any how I don't think you can go wrong with the Edge comp. I have my own horror story about my Banks Exhaust brake that I don't have enough time to go into. BTW. You can get the Edge comp DRAG box that will not defuel at red line. FYI. You can also have your Edge comp box changed to a Drag edition whenever you want if you dicide later that you want to. Have fun. I sure do. Oo. Betty

 

[Eric Lee]

Comp in Banks out - Let's see

I installed the Comp today from Piers - I am getting low readings on the Banks gauge and ordered a matching Autometer Pyro to go with the mechanical boost I ordered with Comp. The Ottomind sends signal to boost and pyro gauges - I knew I needed to replace the boost gauge with the Comp but wasn't sure about the pyro. I am getting readings of 200 when it usually was 400+ deg stopped in drive.



So the answer to whether a Banks gauge works with a straight signal from probe is No. Unless the comp makes it run that cool - which I dought.



I am still getting familiar with unit but I think I like it - I want an accurate pyro before I stretch her legs.



- She looks happy -

 

[DieselLady]

I usually get about 450 to 500 degrees EGT with the truck idling in drive. That is pre turbo.

P. S. Nice truck. Betty

 

[Eric Lee]

I've been running the Comp for a few months now and I do like it - I really like it.



The power is good - so was the Ottomind - I have to watch gauges now. I don't mind it really, just requires more attention at a point where my eyes need to be on the road -



The adjustablity will be nice if I pursue further upgrades, but I generally leave it at 4-3 all the time after setting it for optimum egt's while tromping it on the highway at 70 or so. The climb in egt's from level 4 to 5 is substantial and I think 5 can only be used with further enhancements.



The power the Comp will produce is more than my truck is set up for - I can WOT after I build boost on 4-3 and it gets pretty crazy. Lifts the side of the truck up and gets it - the boost will try for 40+ and egt's will jump to 1200+ and back down to 1050 or so very quickly and stay there while pedal is close to floor.



Now what I'd like to try is an additional egt probe post turbo for the Ottomind and keep the gauge on the pre turbo probe so I can press the Ottomind a little over the 1250 deg limiter. I was told the difference might be as much as 150 deg allowing the Ottomind to do it's thing till my eye says stop.



For the record, I think the Ottomind is a damn good box. The only time I dyno'd this truck it had the Banks box on it and the dyno operator was impressed at how careful the box limited power over 1250, as opposed to a sharp drop off it 'feathered' the cut. The truck dyno'ed at 275/775 with the Banks, and I would assume that if I stay under 1250 it would be about the same now with the Comp.



- Rehash of the Banks issue I know - I think a guy on a budget would be doing good to get one of these boxes from a 'reformed,informed' Comp user - for me - for now - mines not for sale.



-Eric

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Eric,



Glad you like your new box!



I wonder if you can run your Ottomind without a probe hooked up?



Trent

 

[johncameron]

No you can't. I tried and my truck coughed sputtered and missed! I've been running my pyro post turbo lately and It WILL NOT see 1275F there so it doesn't de-fuel. I just dynoed 355HP / 903TQ this way yesterday! :--) https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144449



John

Eric,



Glad you like your new box!



I wonder if you can run your Ottomind without a probe hooked up?



Trent