Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Gale Banks????????

[Peterbilt379CJ]

I dont understand. I hear talk about all these aftermarket parts being put on trucks to make them go fast but the one company i never hear anyone talk about is Gale Banks. Why? Is he not worthy? Do his performance kits suck?



I have every available Gale Banks product for my 95CTD and I love them. These parts have given me the exact performance that the factory promised.



I just dont see anyone using these guys.

 

[scramblin]

Originally posted by Peterbilt379CJ

I dont understand. I hear talk about all these aftermarket parts being put on trucks to make them go fast but the one company i never hear anyone talk about is Gale Banks. Why? Is he not worthy? Do his performance kits suck?



I have every available Gale Banks product for my 95CTD and I love them. These parts have given me the exact performance that the factory promised.



I just dont see anyone using these guys.

For me it was affordability. I couldn't afford the whole Banks kit in one shot, so I pieced my midifications a little at a time using various companies.

 

[FreeBMW]

Some users have mixed feelings about Gales products. HE is active on the board every once in a while.



I started with a Stinger Plus kit for my CTD and was happy with it... i just wanted more (dont we all)



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22114

 

[illflem]

You probably don't hear about Banks much here because folks who support them often end up getting flamed for it by people here who don't have any experience with Banks products. They're just repeating what they heard from somewhere/someone else. If you look in folks signatures you will see that quite a few have Banks products.

One gripe folks have about Banks is the amount of money they spend on advertising. Big deal, more power to them if they can afford it.



Banks claims to have sold over 100,000 of their kits for Cummins.

This makes them by far the most used CTD modification. I feel their kits are great for 12 valves, a waste for 24s. Most 12 valvers who modify with parts from other sources often end up with the same components as a Banks kit for more money. A Banks kit isn't going to give you gobs of drivetrain damaging horsepower, but definitely a major improvement - a good thing for the majority folks.



Both my '95s have Stinger Pluses, the 2500 even came with it from the dealer when new and still has the stock AT at over 200k. All I want to do is go the speed limit when towing without staring at the egt gauge all the time, their kits do it for me.

I'd do it again.

 

[Clinton]

Mine had a Bank's PowerPack on there when I bought it (slightly) used. This was the PowerPack of old, before they included exhaust system enhancements. I believe it was essentially a mild plate, a 16 cm turbo housing, and a K&N filter element. (Anybody who knows what a '96 PowerPack included please jump in and tell me. ) Anyway, I've been totally happy with the performance and haven't had any driveline failures. Pretty much what Bill said... and since I'm trying to delay auto transmission upgrades I don't have reason to look to turn it up any farther. I'm a happy Bank's user and because it all works so well I don't have much to say about it!

 

[Dkevdog]

Banks gets bashed around here on this site worse than any vendor I've ever seen. Like Bill said, mostly from people who have no experience with their product.



I had their complete Power Pak on my 96 and was very pleased with it. Cost is an issue for many, but it is a well built product.



Kev

 

[C. Harlan]

I know for a fact that they do not stand behind their product. . I have gone through this before, and dont care to get into it, but I will leave it at this: a very close friend has a defective fueling box (ISB), and before the warranty was up, they told him tough luck. . what kind of customer service is that? you spend ~$2700 on a kit, and get the shaft like that?? I dont think so! Just my little story on why I feel the way I do.



-Chris-

 

[98rammer]

as a package is the banks kit good? yes



but why spend $2000+ to get what i can get from a $150 fuel plate from TST? they have many levels to choose from- #11 or #10 for good towing/power results, or #4 and #0 for all out power. plus i can get make my own exhaust or get one and still be way under for price differene.



i do, however, like their exhaust.



one bad thing- after my friend called on them about their exhaust, he got a call back every day for 1. 5 weeks telling him to buy their power kits until he finally said enough.



Tom

 

[jtwcummins]

I chose Banks because their kit addressed the intake, fuel, and exhaust. There is absolutely nothing wrong with other aftermaket suppliers, in most cases, but for $2100 it gave me what I wanted and then some. I installed the Power Pack and the Exhaust Brake. I added the ATS manifold to open up the exhaust even more. I dynoed at an increase of 131 HP and 323 ft-lbs of torque at the ground. Better than advertised thanks to ATS and the nasty man who ran a 2" speed bit thru my Cat.



Had to call about a problem w/instructions and got a quick answer, no other problems. Running a stock auto so had it serviced after the install. Dealer who did trans service installs Banks on new and used CTDs and did a little tweaking to make things work better.



Would I do it again? In a minute, sorry I waited so long to spend the money. Always liked the Cummins setup and in 97 it was by far the best available from anyone in a pickup, very good driveability. Now it is great.

 

[JIM S.]

what 98rammer said

450 +- exaust

150+- fuel plate

200 +- intake mods



so what does that leave for the banks stickers??... .



... $1200 seems a bit steep to me



jim

 

[jtwcummins]

I have 6 banks stickers in my tool box, I will sell all for alot less than $1200

only used 2 of their stickers, the ones stating the power pack and exhaust brake are CARB approved and 100% legal in Calif.



Intake mods included twin ram intake and new turbo housing with different waste gate as well as AFE filter system.

Fuel plate

nice sounding exhaust 4" turbo back.

Exhaust brake w/smart lock

12 60lb valve springs. Changed them all while doing it, gov springs coming

Ats exhaust manifold

3 pillar mount gages

all cost 2750. 00



Result 300hp 750 ft-lbs torque

fuel plate is at stock position, equal to tst #10, which is almost half way forward. Going to move after making trans stronger

Pulling the Grapevine w/7500 lbs in tow EGT gets to 1200 and very little smoke.



Both of these problems will be fixed after visiting DTT for trans and getting DDII injectors/gov springs.

 

[rbarr]

U dont have to buy the whole kits. I ordered just the high ram for my '99 ( i know, i know) and love it. I got 6 more psi ane EGT's dropped 100 degrees. Also ordered and installed an intercooler for my friends '97 ford P. S. (again, I know) mand it's a hell of a setup. Good products and no hassles makes Banks alright by me.

 

[zack_76401]

Mr. Banks is too proud of his parts... he wants to much. For what you pay for his stuff you can get twice as many parts/uprgrades from many different respectable companies with awesome reputations.

 

[Dkevdog]

Although it appears that some members may have had problems with Banks' service, I know equally well that those problems exsist with ANY vendor. I have had had great experience with their service and products. Unlike most of the whiners, I've actually owned the product too :-{} .



Kev

 

[zack_76401]

I'm not saying their product is bad or unreliable..... it's damn good stuff, just overpriced... Hey its YOUR money, not mine. All I was trying to say is you can find good, if not better, products from different vendors. AND I am also a FORMER banks owner, as this is not my first diesel and it sure wasn't a california diesel.

 

[Dkevdog]

Zack- Sorry if you took that the wrong way but it wasn't directed at you specifically. I'm glad you at least speak from experience.



My gripe comes from those bandwagon bashers who have heard, been told, had a friend who... ... ... ... You get the picture. Just because a product may seem expensive, it doesn't make worthy of a good bashin'. And Banks seems to get un anfair shake every time its been brought up here.



To each his own.



I come in peace.



Kev

 

[zack_76401]

My bad, I thought you were directing that at me. No offense meant. No, I had a banks kit on my POWERCHOKE before i got rid of it. . made a litl diff but hey you cant really help a product that was doomed from the manufacturer (NAVISTAR) Then befor eI bought this 12valve I had a 01 3500 and bought a power pack kit for it but found out later for the power i wanted i could haven gotten form blue chip or TST much much cheaper. I will admit Banks makes qaulity stuff Kev, there is nothin wrong with his stuff i just would like to know why its so expensive.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by zack_76401

I will admit Banks makes qaulity stuff Kev, there is nothin wrong with his stuff i just would like to know why its so expensive.

I think the reason is actually a variety of things. For one they MASS market the heck out of their product. All that advertising costs money. Two, they have a significant R&D center and quite a campus (I know, I've had the grand tour). But, when it boils down to it, they charge what people are willing to pay. While the TDR congregation is a strong one, it represents only a fraction of the CTD's on the road. And, bottom line: They sell more systems than anyone else by a long shot. So why worry about price? Most are not nearly as savvy as we are . I see more Banks systems than anything else. When you have a product that sells, you don't mess with it.



Kev

 

[CPG]

Have had a Banks 3 1/2 " exhaust system on my "93" CTD since almost new. Its really held up well. It was the first real improvement that was added to this old truck. Good things seldom come cheap.



Chuck Goode

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by zack_76401

I will admit Banks makes qaulity stuff Kev, there is nothin wrong with his stuff i just would like to know why its so expensive.

I think it's a combination of what the market will bear plus you get what you pay for.