Anyone add Banks Power to thier V-10?

[ltatkinson]

I am thinking of adding this to my 2012 Encounter. Any input? I realize its not going to be as big of an improvement as the 20 valve. Still seems like a worthy add.

Tim

[SRT]

After driving our my2000 for a year (bought in August 1999) I decided to have the Banks intake/exhaust system installed by CW. It made a difference on 275hp V10. Better power on the hills and a great exhaust sound. Should have had the Trans-Command installed for the transmission. IMHO it won't make much difference with the 3 valve V10.

[Awilson]

LVJ58 wrote:
For whatever it's worth, I had the Banks system installed on our 2000 coach several years ago. I did notice a slight increase in power but not nearly what I had hoped for. A few years later I added the 5 Star tune which did seem to result in an additional increase in power allowing us to navigate 6 & 7% mountain grades at somewhat higher speed.

With the higher horsepower and torque generated by the 3 valve v10's, personally I don't think you'll realize any noticable increase in power.

However I could be wrong as often I am...:S

I thought about five star when I got my chip from Brazel's but elected to get it from Brazel's. Not many good RV performance dealers where I live so I have gone to Brazel's for the last few years for most all of my stuff. You probably can't go wrong with either chip. I have talked to several people that had installed the Banks system and none said they would ever spend that kind of money again for the few benefits they got. That was enough for me.

[Awilson]

viajante wrote:

Awilson wrote:
Tim, I didn't have as big a unit as you have but I bought a chip for my V10. That was a very good improvement of performance and some economy. The economy only works if you keep your foot out of it and drive at a reasonable speed.

Which chip did you buy ?

I got my chip/programer from Brazels RV in Washington state. I saw them in an ad somewhere and I have used them for the last three years for almost everything RV. Those guys are very knowledgeable on a great many things concerning RV's. I think my chip was called Ultra Power. That thing changed the transmission shift points, held it in OD much longer so that it didn't drop out at the slightest grade and made the transmission feel much firmer than before. It also added quite a bit of HP to the engine. Mine was a model year 2005 Ford in a 2006 Phoenix Cruiser. I was totally happy with it. I used it for a couple of years with no adverse effects. I had thought about getting an Edge chip but when I talked to Jon Brazel he told me that Edge is an awesome chip for the motor but it isn't programmed for the exact motor and transmission you have. They are also an Edge dealer. I hope this answers your your question. Let me know if you want to know anything else.

[OhhWell]

Well, the Banks badge will garner lots of respect as you cruise through the campground to your site.... Everything I have heard about the Banks on the V10 has been that the performance gains are small on the modern V10. I have a full Banks on our old 275hp V10 and am happy with it. It was there when I bought the coach but I had driven a few other MHs with similar weight of the same year while shopping. I know that is not a perfect comparison but with the Banks felt a lot peppier.

You may want to ask about the 5star tune that I hear a lot of people promoting here. That may be a better performance mod on your new V10 than the Banks.

[johnrbd]

ltatkinson wrote:
Well thank you all. That is why I love this fourm. I would be a fool not to put further thought into this. All of you have nothing to gain either way other than to try and help. Thank you.

Tim

Did you take into account the additional expense for tire replacement after all the burnouts? You'll be navigating a house down the highway - how much improvement in performance do you really expect?

[ltatkinson]

Well thank you all. That is why I love this fourm. I would be a fool not to put further thought into this. All of you have nothing to gain either way other than to try and help. Thank you.

Tim

[Captain_Happy]

So the Gale Banks system will cost you around $2,400.00, and Cw is willing to install the wolesystem for $79.. or so dollars, right, it'll cost you alot more then that. There's always something that's going to go wrong and it'll be big bucks to get the repaired. sojnds like you'll already made up your mind to get the system installed . If I where you I save the money, $2,400.00 plus will buy a lot gas. Now that's just my 2 cents worht.

[LVJ58]

For whatever it's worth, I had the Banks system installed on our 2000 coach several years ago. I did notice a slight increase in power but not nearly what I had hoped for. A few years later I added the 5 Star tune which did seem to result in an additional increase in power allowing us to navigate 6 & 7% mountain grades at somewhat higher speed.

With the higher horsepower and torque generated by the 3 valve v10's, personally I don't think you'll realize any noticable increase in power.

However I could be wrong as often I am...:S

[427435]

The biggest boost in power (especially on the 3 valve engines) will be the psychological one caused by the noisier air intake.

Take it from a 45+ year member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and a even longer time motorhead-----------------save your money.

[viajante]

Awilson wrote:
Tim, I didn't have as big a unit as you have but I bought a chip for my V10. That was a very good improvement of performance and some economy. The economy only works if you keep your foot out of it and drive at a reasonable speed.

Which chip did you buy ?

[n7bsn]

The Banks Transcommand does NOT improve performance, what it does do is improve the reliability of the E4OD transmission (ie only older rigs).

I also looked into this and decided it was not work the money

[demoon]

I was totally unimpressed with full Banks, including transcommand on my 01 V-10 305 HP Class C. I could not see any improvement in performance and mpg was zero. (It sounded nice). My 34' Class A, with the 362 V-10 performs far better. I would not consider doing it again, even with the CW deal. That is still a lot of money for what I think you can expect.

[RLS7201]

Go to Banks web site and see for yourself. Look at the Power Pack systems for both the 20 valve and the 30 valve engines. Almost identical power improvements for both engines. Now quite as impressive as the Power Pack for the old 460 engine but still significant.

Richard

[ltatkinson]

I have tried doing a search but I didn't see a post on any of them with the newer motor. Maybe that was your point. Seems like it would have to be an improvement over stock. Not looking to save MPG's just a little more power.

Tim