Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) banks powerpack

[MFarquharson]

looking to up grade my 2001 3500 is the banks the way to go

 

[johncameron]

Everyone will say NO. The main reason is because their stuff is priced higher than other companies stuff. I am really happy with my setup and will probably never change unless I want to drag race or something crazy like that.



Let the banks bashing begin!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The Banks stuff is probably the most well engineered and safest way to upgrade your truck... ... BUT... ... . you can produce more power with less money elsewhere. I have less than $1000 in real money invested into power upgrades and make more power than a Banks sytem could even think about on a 2nd gen truck. I guess we could add in the exhaust for $500 and it's 304 stainless and not 409 like the Banks system which costs more. Of course I had to upgrade my clutch to handle the power which was a pile of money but you need to do that with any system.



If you just want mild power mods I would suggest a CATCHER ECM and some smallish injectors like 80hp of some fashion, I bought a used set of DD II's and now I run most of the time with by Comp box off.



With gauges, a CATCHER, and new DD II's you'd be looking at less than $1500 if you can install them yourself and you'd walk all over a Banks system. There is nothing wrong with Banks, I'm just a little tight with my money!

 

[johncameron]

I tow with the DDII's only and it is awesome! I paid 325 for my DDII's right here on TDR!

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm running DD2's and without my Edge EZ the truck's a dog. I think the box does more than the injectors, but the combo is unbeatable!

 

[johncameron]

I have a HO which resopnds better to injectors than boxes. A 5 speed and auto would be the contrary.

 

[Supermod56]

looking to up grade my 2001 3500 is the banks the way to go

NO, Banks is a Rip-Off, I wouldn't buy nothing from them, they are all about advertising, and they over-inflate their numbers, including the price!! Just my opinion of course!!! Get a Catcher or EZ and some Mach injectors





Tom

 

[DieselRam30]

looking to up grade my 2001 3500 is the banks the way to go

I would say that Banks is probably not the way to go. You can get a lot more bang for the buck elsewhere. As previously mentioned, a CATCHER and injectors would be a great addition. Otherwise, an electronic "box" like an Edge Comp would also work well. You can even get one to work with the CATCHER. If you're looking to upgrade, make sure you have the basics, especially gauges.

 

[Tinman]

I have a PowerPack on my 01 and like it a lot. Got mine one sale so I didn't pay much more than buying individual parts. It's pricey but you get one intregrated system of high quality. One order, one shipping payment and it will all work well together with safety features. Most of the complaints about Banks (other than price) has been poor costumer service. Thus far, I have had great service from them. The thing that bothers me about Banks is that they flat out lie to sell you something. That crap about not voiding your warrenty is BS. And you will need a up graded transmission, something else they won't tell you.

 

[kelly4463]

no banke here. edgedrag box+ dd3s = smoke the tires at will.

 

[Jetpilot]

When you buy Banks you are paying for all of their advertsiing..... Banks is a very good businessman but his products don't make the HP they advertise and are way overpriced. I feel that there are a lot better options available than Banks.



Doug

 

[JRagland]

MFarguharson,



Basically, sit back and don't get in a hurry to buy something right now. You have made the first move by joining here and asking. Research this site for a month or two, do some searches from the "search forums" feature about things. Give it some time to figure out what all the abreviations in members sigs mean. What you find is that there are a lot of parts that DO work well together even if they come in two boxes from two companies.



Banks makes the average TV and magazine viewer think they are the only good diesel company out there that is safe to your truck, there are others and cheaper.



Good luck.

 

[darkhorse]

I have two winter seasons with lots of salt on my Banks exhaust. It's a little tarnished but solid as new. The Banks Brake is super. You can save a lot of $$'s with aluminized steel. Do shop around for price. I didn't pay anywhere near retail for my Banks equipment. If you have the high output motor (245hp) injectors will give you a bigger bang. The 235hp motor responds better with a fueling box. Best of all is the CaTCHER injector combo. You will need gauges first & a clutch or transmission upgrade if you do more than the mildest power mod.

 

[jrhodes]

No problems with the Banks products I have on my truck. I purchased Banks products when I first got my truck, not knowing really anything about Diesel trucks or anything about other aftermarket products. Knowing what I know now from reading thousands of posts on this fine website I would still purchase from Banks, but I would purchase other things as well. No complaint with the performance or reliability of the products. Just my two cents worth. Good luck with your decision.