Well, I just wanted to give everyone a before and after comparison of the Banks Power Pack and Transcommander install on a 460 motor, based on my personal experience. I had heard lots of good and bad things about this kit. For the 460 it seemed like most everyone liked it (not so positive for the V10 engines). Anyways, I made the jump and purchased the entire kit. I had it installed last week by the Gale Banks Company.
The installation went pretty smooth for the installer. The one thing I was worried about was broken manifold bolts. However, luckily there were none. What I did notice when I looked at my old cast iron exhaust manifolds was that both sides had 2 to 3 inch long cracks on the inside of the manifolds between every port (something I couldnโt see before). The installer said I was lucky that they were not completely cracked through or it would have burnt the plugs. I was also a little surprised and annoyed that the all inclusive kit did not include enough pipe to fit a 37โ MH. I was charged an extra $227 for a 3 foot piece of stainless pipe. I feel that the kit should include that, but what can you do.
Also, the installation technician was having trouble installing the cold air intake lid and K&N filter. He didnโt think it was possible to install it and recommended that I just leave it off. I knew I was not going to do that, so I agreed to work on it myself. (The technician did take an hour of labor off for that.)
Anyways, I knew I wouldnโt be happy without part of the kit installed, so on Saturday I tackled the install job and was able to get the intake lid, filter and cold air intake tube all mounted up. I also removed the heat shield over the exhaust tip as it hid the beautiful Banks chrome tip and there was nothing above this shield to protect from heat.
Now on to the good part, the testing. I noticed on my drive around town that the MH has a HUGE increase in power. I found myself actually racing the cars in the next lane out of the lights (something I never did before). I wasnโt even using all the power and the MH was beating everyone across the intersection. The looks on peoples face when the MH moved that fast was priceless. Now, I know that is not how I should be driving and I wonโt do it in the future, but I was just excited to try it out.
I also took the MH on the freeway and was just as impressed. On some mountainous roads around my house I had noted before the Banks kit that the MH would downshift to 3rd on almost every hill and drop down to about 45 - 50mph or less. On one hill I would drop down to 40mph. After the installation, the MH didnโt even shift out of 4th on most hills. The one hill that almost maxed the MH out in 3rd at 40 mph, I was able to actually accelerate up the hill past semi trucks and I crested the hill at 65mph. An incredible improvement!!
The final indication of the improved power was in the normal freeway cruising. I use to cruise the MH between 55 and 58 mph. That was where it was comfortable at. I could go faster, but I had to work the engine to consciously do it. After the Banks kit, I was just cruising along like normal and noticed I was going over 70 mph. I had to make a conscious effort to SLOW down. The MH just seemed to want to effortlessly run at 70 or above. What an AMAZING difference!!
My final thought is that anyone thinking of doing this install on a 460, do it if have the chance. You will not be disappointed. As for the fuel savings, that will be hard to guess as it is just so much more fun to drive the MH!!!!! Thanks from a happy Banks customer.
