Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Banks Powerpack ($2000+)VS. Free Mods..

[FDavid]

First the free mods I did to my truck:

1. Ground the stock fuel plate flat (Zero plate?) & Slid forward

2. Removed the AFC lever thingy that hangs down by the fuel plate

3. Plugged line to wastegate



Results: Great power, more than enough to slip stock clutch at anything past half throttle, medium smoke, EGT's on the high side.



I then returned my truck to 100% stock form in anticipation of Banks Powerpack Install (which by the way I only purchased because I got a hell of a deal-less than half price).



Banks Powerpack( http://www.bankspower.com/System.cfm?appid=AD02&sysid=SD03) results:

Little to no smoke, EGTs never went past 1300, Stock clutch held just fine, made less power than free mods. Install was a bit of a pain and truck takes a little longer to start now (which according to Banks tech is normal since the heater grid is split apart in the new intake manifold).



Also, even though Banks recommends the fuel plate to be somewhere in the middle of the travel, I had it slid full forward in. I also installed a 5" turbo back exhaust in place of the Banks exhaust kit which is a muffler and 3. 5" tail pipe.



I was surprised that the banks kit made less power than I expected. For a $2,000+ kit I was expecting a lot more, definitly more power than what I could do in my garage in a half hour for free. In my opinion, I believe the money is better spent else where if you want the best bang for your buck in all out performance. However if you do any type of towing, the Banks is a welcome upgrade that gives you just enough power without having to replace other parts (clutch, turbo etc). Oh well, you live and you learn

-Dave

 

[Matthug]

Which truck did you do this too? The 98'? With the 0 plate and the AFC gutted thats full fuel anywhere in the RPM band and full fuel on a 215 is just sick... . nothing would compare to that!



Everyone that I ever talked to with the twin ram intake has disliked it for one reason or another. Also the plate in that kit looks to be around a #6, way less agressive than a 0 especially on the low end and also especially with the AFC disabled.

 

[Howard Durand]

I have the twin ram intake and really can't say one way or the other if it was an improvement. On the downside, it is in the way and makes any work in the area of the AFC more difficult. I also had to move the fuel filter Prime Loc to a different location.

I have thermocouples in both the front and rear chambers of the exhaust manifold and they both read within a few degrees of one another. I think that is the main improvement that Banks is promoting but I never had an opportunity to measure EGT in them both before so can't say if it really made any difference.

For my own situation, the Banks Power Pak improved the performance of my truck to the extent that I was able to get the feel of more power without being able to do a lot of damage, providing I followed the precautions in the manual.

Since then, I have made a few changes that has made the truck do everything I need it to do.

 

[KYOUNG]

These after market intake manifolds are nothing but Bells and Whistles!!!



I recently visited with Jim Fulmer at his home while he did some magic to my truck, and couldnt help but notice he was running STOCK manifold on his monster. . when asked about it he said the head flowed less than anything in the intake tract so wasnt much point in the fancy manifold... ..... food for thought.

 

[wtfd6]

im sorry to hear that David. i havent had any experience with banks products. it did seem like a lot of money for such a small amount of stuff. 127hp and 311tq gains sound alot more impressive. did you do the turbo housing and everything? i wish you were happier with it.


mark

 

[FDavid]

Hey Mark,

I love the kit for towing since EGT's stay cool and the clutch is holding fine. The intention of my post is just that if you want all out performance, there are other routes for a lot less money, especially to someone paying full price .



Dave



PS PM sent

 

[Matthug]

There's still other routes to take for towing that are 1/4 the price and just as much power.

 

[SCosgriff]

I was highly dissapointed with the Banks and to top it off when I let them know about it they were of no help at all. My money will always go somewhere else from now on. :-{}

 

[Howard Durand]

When I bought the Banks kit, I didn't have anyone available to help me nor access to all of the great advice and unbiased opinions that are available on the WEB but the truck needed help. Banks had a good sales pitch so that is what I did. I'm not sorry because I did learn a few things during the installation process and the truck did perform much better. Made our trips back to Nebraska much more enjoyable.

With the help and advice found on this forum, I have since made some other improvements that I am quite happy with.

 

[RAndrae]

BANKS:: over rated and over priced

 

[Highfinance97]

BANKS:: over rated and over priced

Gale WHO???????:-laf

Michael

 

[pwerwagn]

If you have a 913/887 pump (215hp) just throw in a #11. wont slip the clutch, egts stay perfectly normal when towing, and makes just as much power as the banks kit. and for like 1/10th the cost!!!



Thats was the point of the 11--most fuel a stock clutch/turbo can handle on a 215hp pump.



--Jeff

 

[Turbo Thom]

My wife's truck has the Banks Kit. Mine has the Thompson kit. That's me. She ain't got a chance.



. . Preston. .