banks

[osiris]

what do you guys think of the banks system for someone who isnt trying to get the most horsepower but would like to get a good dose of it safetly. I was thinking about getting the full powerpac plus the new turbo that banks offers for my 06 when it comes it. Additionally i thought about the banks torque convertor and maybe a shot of propane? that should get me to about the 450 mark and since i am coming from about 320 from my current powerjoke i am sure this would be a great combination for me. Also do i have the plastic intercooler i was reading about on the 05s? Thanks

 

[Graphic man]

There is not much love for the banks on here, ok product but way over priced

and a customer service dept. that won't do you much good!!

you can hit 450hp for a lot less $$



put a box on it(EDGE or TST), larger turbo and a fuel pump and you should be there.



hope this helps

Scott

 

[osiris]

ok but would i be able with just upgrading my torque convertor? or would i really need a bunch more stuff to beef up the transmission. also what turbo would anyone reccomend? not much towing mostly run empty down the highway tow heavy maybe 2 times a year

 

[Graphic man]

as far as the trans goes, i would do a full DTT or ATS do it once and it's done

it's a HUGE difference with a good trans, i run a fully DTT,

make sure you get the in-put shaft and out-put shaft

Turbos..... IMO the phat shaft SPS62 would be great up to 400- 550hp the 66 is good for 600 -700hp http://www.industrialinjection.com/

 

[TCDiesel]

ok but would i be able with just upgrading my torque convertor? or would i really need a bunch more stuff to beef up the transmission. also what turbo would anyone reccomend? not much towing mostly run empty down the highway tow heavy maybe 2 times a year

CBurnside PM sent,You can also contact us at 612-805-4697 /Pm www.tcdieselperformance.com

 

[LArnold]

cburnside-,you can look at my truck profile to see what banks upgrades i used;i also wanted alot of safty fetures w/ power gains,i like the six-gun's power,if installed right you will feel the power change. i didnt mind spending a little more when we talking 40k!no problems at all(did throw a trannie code;reset and had no problem)hope it helps,------LA

 

[BBartels]

Banks sucks! Edge has more to offer then Banks as far as price, safety, and power! Ive seen an EZ make more power then a 6 gun w/ speed loader.

 

[BigGunZ]

what do you guys think of the banks system for someone who isnt trying to get the most horsepower but would like to get a good dose of it safetly.

I haven't dealt with Banks in more than 10 years and I'm rather surprised at all of the "love" being shown for them. I had a 92 F250 7. 3 that I installed a Sidewinder system on. (back in 93 there wasn't the aftermarket that there is today for diesels) I installed it myself in about 18 hours. The kit was complete and the insructions were flawless. The engine already had 60k miles on it and I put an additional 115k miles on it with the turbo before trading for my Dodge. In 1997 I drove from Seattle to Florida pulling an 8000lb offshore fishing boat and had an additional 3000lbs of cargo... there wasn't a pickup on the road during the entire trip pulling similar loads that could hang with me in the mountains. While it wouldn't win any races, that thing could haul a load. The only issue I ever had was a bad (sticky) boost guage and a bad thermocouple... they replaced both without question. When I had tech questions, there was always someone to answer them. One thing that nobody can dispute is... very few people on this planet have the knowledge and experience turbocharging diesels that Gale Banks has.



Having said that, I'm sure there are some horror stories. A company the size of GBE that's been around as long as they've been, is going to rub a few people the wrong way. It's a simple fact of doing business. Internet forums magnify these issues and you end up with people bashing a product they have absolutely no experience with, all in the name of agreeing with the guy with "the most posts". I agree that some of their items are a bit pricey but you ARE paying for a name and a reputation bordering on legend. There are some items of theirs that I wouldn't buy, simply because there are cheaper alternatives that are just as good. When it comes to critical components, where sound engineering and proven safety make the difference between making it home, or picking up engine parts off of the highway, I'm likely to pay extra for that.



One thing is certain... GBE was turbocharging diesels before most of these newer companies were even a stain on someone's driveway. While I like many newer products such as Edge and BullyDog, ask yourself where they were 30+ years ago, and where they'll be 30+ years from now.



If you haven't already figured out... I'd buy another Banks product without hesitation.

 

[jwilliams3]

Banks has SOME good products..... Exhaust, Intercoolers, Intakes. But can be overpriced.



Other than that, there is way better out there:



Electronics: TST, Edge, BullyDog, etc.

 

[DCasten]

I've had good luck with my Banks. In '03 when I purchased the only difference was the cost to install. By the time you stacked a pressure and timimg box you could buy the Banks kit and get a unit that was designed to work together. As well in 03 the other boxes didnt have near the safety features.

 

[BigGunZ]

Other than that, there is way better out there:

Electronics: TST, Edge, BullyDog, etc.

Why are these "better"?

 

[Nightram]

I have to agree with you on Banks, they have been around for quite a long time, and the amount of engineering that goes into there products is tremedous. I enjoy my Six-Gun very much, and for what I do, it is perfect for me. That is just my 2 cents.

 

[jwilliams3]

TST, Edge, and Bullydog, just to name a few do not farm out their programming or developement work.

Those are in house products that work and are always evolving.



Gale Banks is no Diesel Expert.

He points fingers at others with actual REAL diesel experience because of his own short falls.

 

[BBartels]

Banks is trying to cut out all of the warehouses that are the reason why they are where they are today! I have no time for companies like that! And as far as Exhaust they dont even build their own mufflers. . Mandrel 4&5" pipe is all the same. Their quality of material is no better then others because it comes off of the same truck! IN my opinion there is better options out there!

 

[BigGunZ]

Are we to stop buying Dodges because they "farm things out" too? Likely 70% or more of any American vehicle is "farmed out" to someone whether it be Brazil, Mexico, Canada, China, or Japan. I'm only speculating here, but I find it doubtful that TST, Edge, or BullyDog doesn't "farm out" parts of their product. They simply couldn't survive in todays economy without doing so.



The most sophisticated weapons systems on earth are not built by the Pentagon or the Navy, or the Air Force. Things such as programming and development, and just about every other aspect of production is "farmed out" to contractors and other companies that specialize in it. Essentially, I don't see the arguement here and it sounds more like smart business to me.



That said, I'm not trying to get an arguement going here. This stuff costs a lot of money regardless of who's gadgets you buy, and myself as well as the thread starter, would like to base our decisions on sound science and don't want to base a purchasing decision on whether or not a certain vendor "stepped on a few toes"...



Any one of us would be lying through our teeth if we claimed we've never ****** anyone off in our business dealings. From where I sit, the finger pointing seems to be going in both directions... . someone's going to poke an eye out

 

[BigGunZ]

as far as Exhaust they dont even build their own mufflers. . Mandrel 4&5" pipe is all the same. Their quality of material is no better then others because it comes off of the same truck! IN my opinion there is better options out there!

I agree completely with this. I run an MBRP.

 

[JCleary]

I like Banks products, in fact I have their Monster Exhaust. I looked at getting their six-gun bundle, but to me it wasn't worth it. There were far less costly options out there, and I wanted a different package.



I wanted more power, gauges to match my interior, and the ability to plug and play. I don't want to have to tap into existing wiring harnesses to run a box (I was told I had to do this with the Banks box). I think it's unnecessary.



Additionally, I don't have an auto, so I'm not worried about slip. I can hear it if my clutch is slipping, but with only 87 hp on tap for an '03 w/ the six gun, there's no chance of slipping anyway.



I don't mind watching my EGT's, but for those who don't like to, Edge and TST both have boxes that will back down based on EGT's, while making much more power without running pressure (well, the Attitude for '03 and '04 uses a bit), and the Attitude has slip detection.



Add to that the Banks tech line would not disclose how much pressure their box runs. With relief valves running $400 or more, I want to make sure my box isn't always running at high pressures.



According to Quad, some pressure boxes are commanding/running 25k psi at cruise on the freeway. Stock commanded pressure is around 16k. Quad's commands 17k at the same loads, and he's willing to disclose that.



I'd much rather run a "milder" box when it comes to using pressure, while still having the ability to make major horsepower.



The six-gun is good, I just think there are better options out there. Maybe the new system with a PDA will be better?

 

[BigGunZ]

I like Banks products, in fact I have their Monster Exhaust. I looked at getting their six-gun bundle, but to me it wasn't worth it. There were far less costly options out there, and I wanted a different package.



I wanted more power, gauges to match my interior, and the ability to plug and play. I don't want to have to tap into existing wiring harnesses to run a box (I was told I had to do this with the Banks box). I think it's unnecessary.



Additionally, I don't have an auto, so I'm not worried about slip. I can hear it if my clutch is slipping, but with only 87 hp on tap for an '03 w/ the six gun, there's no chance of slipping anyway.



I don't mind watching my EGT's, but for those who don't like to, Edge and TST both have boxes that will back down based on EGT's, while making much more power without running pressure (well, the Attitude for '03 and '04 uses a bit), and the Attitude has slip detection.



Add to that the Banks tech line would not disclose how much pressure their box runs. With relief valves running $400 or more, I want to make sure my box isn't always running at high pressures.



According to Quad, some pressure boxes are commanding/running 25k psi at cruise on the freeway. Stock commanded pressure is around 16k. Quad's commands 17k at the same loads, and he's willing to disclose that.



I'd much rather run a "milder" box when it comes to using pressure, while still having the ability to make major horsepower.



The six-gun is good, I just think there are better options out there. Maybe the new system with a PDA will be better?

This is good info... to me, whether or not someone is a "choir boy" doesn't shed much light on a product. I'll possibly be shopping for a box soon, but like you, am looking for something mild... I have no need to have 450hp/900tq for a work truck. I'm almost leaning towards just an injector swap and guages.

 

[Nightram]

I think it also depends on how you drive with the power upgrades. If you constantly whomp your truck, you will by nature break stuff on your vehicle. When it comes to performance mods, I believer it is really how you drive, and buying quality equipment.

 

[JCrockett]

I am no expert at any of this, but since I have joined TDR there seems to be an overall dislike for Banks. I am not sure why that is. I remember Banks was the thing to have in the late 90's, it seemed that was about all that was out there for diesel performance. I have a friend (TDR member) that has the 6-gun and is very happy with it and has had no problems with it that I know of. Same performance as my Egde Juice as far a reliability. Plus the Banks system was used on the KORE race truck

http://www.bankspower.com/Baja1000-Kent.cfm

So it can't be all that bad! They had zero problems with it the entire race. That has to count for something in my book, when they had the option to go with any other performance upgrade out there.

Just my . 02