Banks too loud

[dward]

I installed the Banks 4" exhaust on my 03 and am happy with it, except when it is under load at around 2100 rpm, the loud drone is intolerable. My girlfriend began to bring earplugs along.

Driving in OD between 1700 and 2000 rpm it sounds nice and isn't very loud and over 2300 or so the drone goes away, but is still pretty loud.

I like it for the benefits of the reduced temps (I have an AFE intake but no fueling box), but want a muffler that can replace the Banks that is much more quiet.

Right now I don't think I will "chip" it but may change my mind later.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Don-T]

I had the same problem when towing my canper. I replaced the Banks muffler with a Donaldson 51" muffler, no more drone. There is also a Nelson brand muffler that I believe is the same as the Donaldson. Do a search on here for either one.

 

[DPKetchum]

Or put one of those little aeroturbine things on it before the muffler.

 

[Cattletrkr]

... with a Donaldson 51" muffler, no more drone. There is also a Nelson brand muffler that I believe is the same as the Donaldson...

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO



A few weeks ago someone posted pics of a Donaldson's innards. NOT THE SAME AS A NELSON. My dad's got a Nelson on his '03. A great sounding muffler, but horrible drone issues. The Nelson is "straight thru" design, whereas the pics I saw of a Donaldson had a "pinched" or crimped center. I have no idea what a Donaldson sounds like compared to a Nelson, but they are not the same. The Donaldson would be my recommendation based solely on looks. The Nelson is fine for performance, but I don't like towing with it.



I'm not SHOUTING, just trying to get everyone's attention.

 

[F-15I Ra'am]

I have the same problem with mine. Peter T. suggested moving the exhaust tip out some. I did and the further out I moved it the better it got. Finally took the tip completely off and its alot better than what it was but still somewhat annoying in the 70-75mph range. I'm about ready to chuck the whole Banks exhaust and go with something else. I been thinking of an A. T. S. exhaust. I drove Clint Cannon's truck about a year ago, it sounded almost like stock and no drone at all. Banks NEVER AGAIN ! Their advertising literature and sales people claim it doesnt have the drone. BULL! I'll never buy anything from them again!

 

[DocDetonancour]

Don't see many posts on here that like Banks stuff? Doc

 

[DPKetchum]

Like mine just fine. Lets not start another Banks war. They have some quality products.

 

[Don-T]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO



A few weeks ago someone posted pics of a Donaldson's innards. NOT THE SAME AS A NELSON. My dad's got a Nelson on his '03. A great sounding muffler, but horrible drone issues. The Nelson is "straight thru" design, whereas the pics I saw of a Donaldson had a "pinched" or crimped center. I have no idea what a Donaldson sounds like compared to a Nelson, but they are not the same. The Donaldson would be my recommendation based solely on looks. The Nelson is fine for performance, but I don't like towing with it.



I'm not SHOUTING, just trying to get everyone's attention.

You do have to be careful when you get the muffler. There are many part numbers for the mufflers. There are both verticle and horizontal mounts too.

 

[JCleary]

I have the Banks exhaust. I like it. I think it's made well, and sounds good.



It *can* be loud at times, especially at 2k rpms with a load on it. I wouldn't classify it as a drone, just loud.



Drone is what you get with Flowmasters in a gasser, especially with a nice cam. My buddies '73 Camaro, and another buddy's Tahoe would make your ears bleed with a resonance at certain rpms.



That said, I think the stainless MBRP duals sound a whole lot better. That's what I would have bought had I not gone for name recognition and marketing hype. I got a ride in an '03 with MBRP duals and a TST on 5/5, and it sounded GREAT!



No idea what it sounds like with a trailer, but it was a lot more mellow than the Banks.

 

[JVolpe]

I have the Bank Monster 4" Cat Bank system and like it also. It is loud on hard throttle expecially with a load, but normal driving or cruising is not much louder than stock. I have no "drone", maybe its that the CAT is still on, but it is much quieter than the dual magnaflow setup that I had on the Hemi truck.

 

[DPKetchum]

Like mine also. Heavy load at a certain RPM it can be a little loud but it past the wife test a long time ago.