Banks Stinger or PowerPack

[BillJohnson]

I purchased my first-ever diesel truck a few weeks ago - 2002 2500 Quad 5. 9L Diesel (235hp) 2WD automatic, 3. 54. This is my daily driver, but I also use it to tow a 30ft Prowler travel trailer ( about 6000lbs empty).



I've been looking at the Banks Stinger and PowerPack add-ons, and was wondering whether the cost was worth it, and what your experience has been with Banks' products.



I've been quoted about $2300 for the Stinger (installed), and about $2500 for the PowerPack (installed). This is a hefty investment, so I wanted to be sure it was worth it -- that the advertised hp, torque, and mileage gains were real.



Thanks



Bill

 

[Bob Wagner]

better address the auto transmission too

I am very happy with my dtt transmission upgrade



www.dieseltrans.com

 

[BPINE]

Just put on an Edge EZ and be done with it. Very simple install and safe for the transmission. A set of gauges would be nice as well but that is all you will need for a while. Much less money!!!!

 

[DEZLPWR]

Banks makes quality stuff, but.....

it is expen$ive. There are plenty of ways to make more power for a lot less $$!

 

[gitchesum]

I also believe Banks makes good stuff. I've seen and heard their stainless 4" exhaust and it sounded great. I also belive $2500 is a lot of money.

Banks products are perfect for the guy that likes to drive to the shop stock and drive out modified. They do all the work. But how much more expensive is it really?

Let's look at the PowerPack Bill was quoted $2500 on.

According to Banks website. The Powerpack comes with the following:



Lifetime Banks Ram-Air filter and service kit(K&N filter)



Cast-metal High-Ram air intake



Electronic OttoMind TLC power-train control module



Quick-Turbo turbine housing with BigHead wastegate actuator



Stainless, low-restriction Dynaflow muffler



Stainless, 4" constant-diameter Monster exhaust and tailpipe 4. 5" polished-stainless tailpipe tip.



DynaFact pyrometer, boost gauge and 2-gauge mounting panel



Comprehensive Owner’s Installation Manual.





Now lets look at what you would spend putting your own kit together.



Power Edge EZ-----------------------------$549

MagnaFlow S. S Exhaust------------------$971

K&N FIlter-----------------------------------$ 65

Exhaust Housing---------------------------$150

EGT/Boost Gauges(Isspro)--------------$155

2 mounting cups---------------------------$35



Total is---------------------------------------$1925



Then throw in the cost of the High Ram Intake whick I was quoted $500 for a few months ago. and we're pretty close to $2500 and that doesn't include installation.



Now, the system that we've put together should produce more horsepower, but for a guy just looking for a little more power to pull his trailer. Banks really doesn't seem that overpriced. Especially if you're not the type of guy that wants to install all the goodies.



If I'm not making any sense here, please correct me.



Plese don't think I'm trying to put down other vendors or push Banks on anyone, but I keep hearing how expensive Banks is so I just decided to compare prices, that all.



Bill, as Bob mentioned earlier, you might want to consider upgrading your transmission. There are many quality vendors that you can choose from. But that's a whole nuther thread.

 

[BPINE]

Nice comparison gitchesum, I have done that in the past and got flamed for it. IMO you can probably do without the highram manifold and buy a Jardine exhaust for 425 bucks and have the same or more power for less money but like you say not a hole bunch if you compare apples to apples. I still suggest for the average guy just wanting to tow better an EZ and gauges is all you need and if that is not enough through in some 275's. But then you will need to do some Auto trany work again IMO from what I have seen and I have worked on a few.

 

[gitchesum]

I agree that the Banks kit is kind of overkill. You don't need Stainless Steel exhaust. I still have a lot of the factory exhaust on my truck and it doesn't show any signs of rusting at all with 160,000 miles on the ticker. Jerry Jardines kit would serve the purpose just fine. And at $500 cheaper than the SS kit. It'll keep you wallet a little heavier too.



The High Ram intake doesn't seem to do much but it sure looks cool on top of the Cummins. I priced the twin ram intake. It would also look good on the top of my engine. I believe it wasin the neighborhood of $600.

But like you said Blair, apples to apples, the price really isn't that far off. You just get some extras that you really don't need.



But in the end, the guy with the cash is the one who decides what's best for his truck.

 

[Jetpilot]

A Comp box can be had for around $550 and adds a lot more HP than the EZ.



So if you use it and exchange the SS exhaust for a standard 4" you save $500 here... . Then drop the exhaust housing and go with a Piers HX-35 $650 new with no core (heck sell your HX-35 on ebay for $400-$500). now you are looking at $1400-$1500 and a whole bunch more HP.



This now leaves room to upgrade the injectors to step 2 or 3 and have a real nice package for the same price as a banks.



Doug

 

[TxDieselKid]

I heard this quote not too long ago from a transmission guru... .



"My Banks customers are my favorite customers, they don't need anything because they arn't makeing enough power. " :-laff



I like JetPilot's idea.



Just more to think about,

Andrew



P. S. Welcome to the TDR!!!

 

[Powder Extreme]

Bill,



Welcome to the TDR and congratulations on your purchase!!!! Oo.



I had the full blown top model Banks kit, then I switched to DD injectors and a comp box. I'm making even more power. The Banks kit wasn't all that bad once I went through several months of hassle with them getting the "bugs worked out". Would I buy Banks again? Definitely not. You can easily make more power for less money with the other alternatives.



Spend $500 on an EZ box, upgrade your air intake, then sit back and enjoy. You can always add injectors, a different turbo, different exhaust etc. later as you like. With the Banks setup, it's all or nothing and $2,500 is dang hard to swallow in one shot. Especially when you can spend a few hundred at a time every now and then and renew that big ol'e grin on your face when the mighty Cummins just got a little bit stronger



Jerry

 

[fr8train]

Bill,

You'll find that it's an ongoing problem. Add more power (Banks or other power stuff) and you have to upgrade auto. trans. to handle power. I've had my truck for a year now. Stinger kit first, DTT89% tc & rebuilt trans and vb next, advance timing to 16 deg. ,215 injectors, now #5 fuel plate. Tow 30ft. Shasta, 6000lb. regularly. Tows great!!! 60mph uphill!! EGT1250deg. Trip to Smokey Mts. in May got 13. 5 mpg @70mph. Truck gets 22. 5mpg empty on trips. 18. 5 around town. If you don't do your own work, go right to the Power Pack set up. Either way you go, be ready to upgrade that stock slush box!!

 

[BillJohnson]

THANKS !!

Thanks everyone for your prompt and informative replies to my question about Banks.



I will research your suggestions further, and know I will save some $$$ in the process.



I'm new to TDR, and was told this was a great place to ask questions and get information about Cummins diesel. I must say, I've been impressed so far! Lots of helpful folks out here.



Hopefully, I'll get smart enough about diesels where I can help someone on the TDR forums one day. In the meantime, I'll keep reading and learning.



Thanks again !



Bill

 

[Ramboy]

One thing to remember about Banks is your truck will dyno only half the h. p. and torque they advertise. Mine advertised 145 h. p. increase and I got 70. Also, with the Banks exhaust system, you will have the dreaded drone. Believe me, when you are towing, you will quickly learn to hate it. So you will have the added expense of changing your muffler again. My TTPM (EZ) easily gives as much or more power and torque than the Banks. Shop around. There are much better deals out there. Any way you go, though, you will have to upgrade your auto but you will find that for towing, that is your best investment.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I put the Banks stuff on my early '91, cuz from t he factory, it didn't have an intercooler, and the Dodge-installed exhaust STUNK bigtime!



The stuff from Banks made a BIG difference - but it was mostly due to the MISERABLE stuff the truck originally came with! The advice above is excellent, these newer trucks come VERY well equipped right off he showroom floor where power is concerned, and for about 1/4 of what Banks asks for the stuff you quoted, an aftermarket "magic box" will deliver as much or more than the Banks stuff will...

 

[SkipLieder]

I too have questions on what I should add. I have 2000 3500 with HD 6 speed transmission. I wanted extra brake power so added the Banks Exhaust Brake. Since it came in either the stock 3 1/2" size or the upgraded 4" size, I decided to upgrade the ehaust system to the 4". That way I would be ready for other upgrades at a later date. I have 11. 5 Lance Camper and plan on towing an auto for an extended trip through Canada and Alaska next year. I would like recommendations on what to add to increase power through the mountains, as well as reducing fuel consumption. I have a 410 rear end, and presently get 17. 5 MPG with no load and 13. 6 with Lance onboard. Have yet to buy the dolly to tow auto, but expect a deteriation in MPG once I start. Any suggestions would be most appreciated, including changing the gearing in rear end and/or buying different tires.

Thanks;

Skip

 

[Amianthus]

All great ideas.

Every last bit of information above is excellent. Trust them on this. This has been gone through before.

My advice? The best thing you can do is wait. Look around and hook up with some of the TDR members around your area and convince them to show off what their truck can do. Ask them what they needed to do to get to that point. Then find a Banks equipped truck and compare. Then make your decision. I'm sure you can find someone near you that you can hook up with.