Banks Six Gun

[MikeAndrews]

This is my first time post. I have been a member for awhile and read the forums regularly. I installed a Banks Six Gun in my 04 Dodge 305hp. automatic. My only other upgrades are boost, egt, and transmission guages. I also have an AFT pro 7 installed. I went to the dyno after the initial install. The results were not good. I gained 15 hp on level 6 and not much torque. Called Banks and told them the problem. They had me check the resistance of the switch, I did and is ok. So I sent the tuner back to Banks. Thet sent me a new one. After install I hooked up my fifth wheel and made several runs on a hill. On the #1 position I had a top speed of 66 mph number 4 was 70 mph and number 6 was 72 mph. The egt and boost never increased above position 1 temps. My max boost was 23 and egt was 1200. I expected higher boost and egt. Also on same hill was cruising at 55 mph in # 1 position, selected # 6 and I gained 200 rpm and my speed was climbing through 60 mph before i had to get off the fwy. I called Banks again and they said check the wire harness, and if it is ok send the unit in for a refund.

My question is, arew these numbers correct or are they low. I expected more. Banks told me they had no numbers for my situation. Do I keep it or send it back?

 

[Jeff Clark]

Doesn't sound right.

 

[grabinov]

If you note in the Banks advertising, they say "with required air flow modifications". Since we know that diesels are so sensitive to air flow, it may be that you are having problems there which result in the limitations you are seeing. I would expect that it would be hard to gain much of the benefit of a tuner without improving BOTH intake and exhaust. I believe that the wisdom generally suggests that these two items should come first to get the benefit of electronics modifications.



The Banks exhaust includes a 4" downpipe (from the turbo) as well as 4" pipe all the way back and a less restrictive muffler. Other exhausts are similar, but not all include the 4" downpipe. Although an expensive addition, I think that an exhaust upgrade will be necessary if you are going to see the results you hear about and see posted on the Banks site...

 

[DPelletier]

I dislike thier advertising methods. 15hp is a joke, stock exhaust or not. Another member posted a 195hp increase with a competitor's box and no other mods except an AFE intake on the same engine. An EZ alone on a stock truck should get you 50 - 60 hp.

I'd send it back and get something else.

 

[marksp]

check the following thread - https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96535



I ran a dyno baseline on completely stock '03 SO, then added the six-gun, aFe air and torque tube, speed loader and monster exhaust, then strapped on to dyno again. results posted.



My results (+95hp and 241. 5 lb-ft) map fairly close to the published Banks #'s (+105 hp and 258 lb-ft). The only "required air flow modifications" that I don't have installed is their Big-Head Actuator which will be installed this weekend. Then back to the dyno. We'll see if that gets me closer to their #'s!



Net - I suspect that the system is highly dependent on airflow (intake and exhaust).

 

[SMOKIN 04]

I had the Banks power pack at one time and i was not impressed. I would send it back and go with something else.

 

[JThiessen]

I was talking to a local Diesel shop guy and he said that he has seen Six gun numbers vary considerably - with quite a few coming in like yours. That information sealed my decision to wait for the new Juice.