Banks

[ldillon]

I picked up a brouchre(?) at Camping World. In it I found the Banks Powerpack*. It contains all the stuff to add 70 hp and 240 ft lbs to my '92. I was wondering if anyone has used this setup and how is it working? Is it recommended? ... . Lee

 

[Withers]

I'm sure most others will agree that you can get the same hp that Banks claims to make a lot cheaper if you get a set of injectors, bigger exhaust, smaller turbo housing, and a set of gauge's. I looked into Banks a while back, and figured after installation it was going to cost around $3600. 00 Canadian, with the work I had done to my truck, it was about $2500. 00, smokes a little more then I like, but i'm sure that can be adjusted.

 

[glhs]

I installed one on my truck a couple of years ago. Not worth it. The exhaust system is 3" into the muffler and 3. 5" out. I think there are other companies nowadays making them 3. 5" to muffler and 4" out for $200-$300 less.

The 14cm wastegated housing is also available for less from other vendors.

If you don't plan on BOMBing big time don't buy the intercooler (MO). When I installed mine I noticed no improvement via gauges, G-TECH, or my seat of the pants feeling. Although they told me REPEATEDLY over the phone the intercooler would add 30hp by itself (yes i was skeptical since it didn't look much bigger than stock and cost the most $895) it wasn't until I read in the instructions that you need to turn in your fuel screw 120* to benefit from the intercooler. I could have done that without the new intercooler and realized the same improvement.

For guys with a non- intercooled truck (89-91. 5) I HIGHLY recommend the intercooler.

Overall I gained about 1. 5 psi boost from the exhaust and lowered my pyro by 100*

The 14cm housing gave me about 3-4 more psi, 200* less on the pyro and much better spool up. This was at 6100ft elevation.

On a positive note the Banks system is quiet, easy to install, has good instructions and makes no black smoke. The biggest improvement was the 14cm housing.

If I did it again I would buy the bigger, cheaper exhaust, switch to a MUCH cheaper 14cm non-wastegated exhaust housing($425 vs. $170), and enjoy the same benefits above for less than $900.

I would then save the $$ and tweak the pump for free and gain A LOT more power and increased smoke. If you still want more buy injectors, bigger turbo, port and polish the cylinder head... etc.

I almost forgot the gauges. Do that first. They can be bought from almost any vendor on the TDR website and you can watch the results as you increase your mods. A pyro and boost gauge is a must but I also opted for the tach & transmission temp.

If you're wondering about the wastegated housing, I elected to leave mine disconnected since my truck could only muster 20psi (the Banks is pre-set at 21psi). It wasn't until I started messing with the fuel screws that I could exceed 21psi but by then I needed more than 21psi to keep smoke manageable and the pyro temps safe.



I realize this is long, but hopefully anyone with a 1st gen truck considering a Banks system will read this first.

My truck is a 1992 W250 ext. cab 5spd 3. 54.



Kurt

 

[RDusch]

Lee,

I'll have to agree with GLHS, i installed the whole banks package on my 93 intercooler included, and still had to work the pump install injectors, and remove the banks muffler to get any real noticeable power gains, shop around other venders you can get more power allot cheaper, although i think banks HP claims are exaggerated especially on an auto truck, back when i did mine they were the only game in town.



try this link go to the performance section

Dave fritz links



Rick

 

[ldillon]

Withers, glhs and RDusch,

Thank you each for your honesty and good advice. The Banks is pretty but I can see by your answers that I would be spending too much. Again, thank you! ... Lee

 

[AlK]

ldillon,

If you want to improve the performance of your truck, I would suggest that you contact Piers at http://www.piersdiesel.com/. By the way he has the POD's on sale.

---

Al

 

[nascar mark]

Originally posted by AlK

ldillon,

If you want to improve the performance of your truck, I would suggest that you contact Piers at http://www.piersdiesel.com/. By the way he has the POD's on sale.

---

Al

I second that. PDR can set you up for alot less and give you alot more.



mark

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Yup, call Piers, no question, and while you're at it see if they have any 14cm housings left and have one put on hold for you... they are hard to get in and you can wait a long time.

As for POD's well... . hmmm... I'm still trying to figure out a way to get 2 in each hole instead of 1...

In all fairness, the Banks stuff usually fits like a glove and it has great quality. You can, as mentioned, match up components from other makers/suppliers and get just as good a result for considerably less dollars.

Banks has been around for a long time and the name has alot to do with the cost I would think.



One last thing, if you look in your mirror and see a black blur coming, emitting a humongous cloud of smoke and a port-O-potti hanging from the tailgate, don't worry, its just nascar mark trying to beat Piers again..... Oo. Oo.



Bob.

 

[nascar mark]

Originally posted by BushWakr



One last thing, if you look in your mirror and see a black blur coming, emitting a humongous cloud of smoke and a port-O-potti hanging from the tailgate, don't worry, its just nascar mark trying to beat Piers again..... Oo. Oo.



Bob.

I'll have too cut about 3000lbs of the truck, lose the port o potti, tools, canopy, stereo, seats ( i can sit on a apple crate ) and gain about another 100hp if i want to beat him.



Unless we go through with the cutting on Piers truck ( engine mounts ) and do a midnight swap of engines. I do have the cutting torches. hhhmmmm.



mark

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

hey mark... ... Oh, Oh, pick me, pick me... . I'm in... ...

now the only thing to figure out is... ... who's truck does it go into Oo. ?? Hey look..... what's that up in the sky... ...









on a side note, do not loose the port-O-potti, it's crucial... when the guy gets close to your tail you can shout that his "F" runs like crap and hurl the sucker out... ... . :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Withers]

You need to keep the port-a-potty for any prospective passengers when they lose control of all their bodily functions, just bolt a seat belt to it, then you can kill two birds with one stone... ..... and maybe a good air freshener:-laf

 

[nascar mark]

Bob, I'll arm wrestle you for Piers engine.



Better start pumping a crank or something.



mark

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Ohhh surrrre... pic on the little guy eh... . geeezzzz... just my luck.

Oh well, you run it for a while (don't blow it up) then I'll run it for a bit... . do you think Piers is readin this????

I bet we could get Kate, Harry, and Mark to help with this... :-laf :-laf :-laf



I heard a rumor (unconfirmed) that a wet coaster brushed up against 300 RWHP too.....



This is getting kinda competitive aint it... .



>little guy.