Recent Banks Power Pack install?

[garyemunson]

Anyone installed a Banks system on a current model V-10 chassis? All the reviews I've been able to find are on older rigs that were pretty wimpy out of the factory. Over the last 10-15 years Ford has steadily increased the v-10's power with incremental changes. Wondering if there is much extra 'juice' to be had by adding the Banks equipment, or, if I just have to have more power, I should just step up to Diesel?

[wildmanbaker]

The 3 valve V-10 has very good exhaust flow compared to the 2 valve. The 2 valve was designed to fit into vans, and was very restrictive. The exhaust manifold bolt problem was also addressed. If I had a 3 valve engine, I would not do anything to the exhaust system unless I was doing engine/head work that required more exhaust flow.

[Gjac]

No question headers work, it is just hard to quantify performance increases especially with the newer engines which is what the OP asked. For my older stock 454 it took 19 secs to go from 40-60 mph, after headers, FF muffler, CAI and advanced timing it took 12 sec. That is a 37% improvement in performance. For me it was worth the cost. I don't think the newer 3 valve 362 HP engines will see that much increase. It would be nice to see the before and after increases from actual users. It would probably cost about $3000 or more to buy and install the Banks system and I'm not sure I would pay that much to shave 3 secs of my 0-60 MPH times. Do you know what the performance increase was with the 5 star tuning? People that have installed this and other computer chips seem to like the performance increase on the newer V-10's, but none that I talked to could really quantify the increase except by "seat of pants dyno."

[rk911]

timmac wrote:

rk911 wrote:

WOT???

WOT = Wide Open Throttle

thanks.

[timmac]

rk911 wrote:

WOT???

WOT = Wide Open Throttle

[rk911]

timmac wrote:

Gjac wrote:
When I was investigating headers about 12 years ago Banks would advertise about 80 HP gains for the older 460's and 454's. If I remember correctly on the newer V-10's it was about half that. I just looked at their website and could not find that number. I would call them and ask about your year V-10 and ask what the HP gains would be. When you ask the question ask them about the rpm that you drive at, most of the marketing data is at WOT and not many of us drive our MH's at that RPM.

But when you are climbing that very large hill on the road many times you can be WOT or at least 90 percent and that's where the long tube headers work the best, Banks cold air intake and exhaust system with the headers do work as stated but the HP and torque can vary.

WOT???

[timmac]

From Banks website :


Remove airflow restrictions with complete intake and exhaust system plus advanced programming for up to +56 hp and +70 lb-ft, 7% more MPG and optimum engine efficiency. Here's a major dose of new RV power without the new RV price! PowerPack delivers 26% more horsepower and torque to your V-10: up to +56 hp and +70 lb-ft at the rear wheels. Rockets you up 6% grades 12% faster and chops three seconds off your 0-60 mph time. With PowerPack's engineered intake and exhaust upgrades plus calibrated fuel tuning (optional), your rig will pass and merge a whole lot easier and more safely - and you'll get up to 7% more MPG, too! Please note: Fits all Fleetwood and National RVs except 2004 and up Powerplatform and Duraframe models. Test Vehicle: 2006 Thor 4-Winds Motorhome equipped with a 6.8L 30-valve Triton V-10 engine. While the engine is rated by the factory at 362 hp, on the dyno the stock best gain was only 242 hp. Horsepower and torque measured at rear wheels. Banks' streamlined, stainless steel TorqueTubes (shown below compared to the stock headers) are the industry's only parallel 5-tube exhaust manifolds for RVs. Unlike competitors who add a separate tube length to a 4-tube formation, Banks intEGRates five tuned-length tubes into a design that allows rotational firing of the cylinders through the exhaust, minimizing backpressure and maximizing torque. The thick, 5/8 inch flanges never warp or leak.

http://www.bankspowerproducts.com/Banks-Power-49378-PowerPack-System-p/49378.htm

Gale Banks the owner is a honest business man and has done performance upgrades for the government, Navy boats, race engines, and many auto manufactures including diesel trucks, I trust what they say, its not snake oil like other products are.

I go to the SEMI show every year and there booth gets a lot of attention from some big players in the after market buyers, their products are top quality and they prove what they sell..

[timmac]

Gjac wrote:
When I was investigating headers about 12 years ago Banks would advertise about 80 HP gains for the older 460's and 454's. If I remember correctly on the newer V-10's it was about half that. I just looked at their website and could not find that number. I would call them and ask about your year V-10 and ask what the HP gains would be. When you ask the question ask them about the rpm that you drive at, most of the marketing data is at WOT and not many of us drive our MH's at that RPM.

But when you are climbing that very large hill on the road many times you can be WOT or at least 90 percent and that's where the long tube headers work the best, Banks cold air intake and exhaust system with the headers do work as stated but the HP and torque can vary.

[D_E_Bishop]

We have an 02 Winnie 32' and I can out pull a lot of rigs. It had been installed new and befoe we bought it so I don't know what it was like stock. I do know that it doesn't do the downshift danve I have heard so much about. Seldom downshifts in hill and not to often in the mountains. Much better than our old 454.

[Gjac]

When I was investigating headers about 12 years ago Banks would advertise about 80 HP gains for the older 460's and 454's. If I remember correctly on the newer V-10's it was about half that. I just looked at their website and could not find that number. I would call them and ask about your year V-10 and ask what the HP gains would be. When you ask the question ask them about the rpm that you drive at, most of the marketing data is at WOT and not many of us drive our MH's at that RPM.

[timmac]

If you want some hard facts if Banks long tube headers work here is a video with the hard facts that shows long tube headers do delver more torque over stock manifolds or short headers.

https://youtu.be/Y7_lSU3D0jw

[timmac]

I have the Banks Power pack system and the 5 Star tuning on a 3 valve V-10, the Banks was on my motorhome when I bought it but I installed the 5 Star tuning, cant give you before and after results on the Banks but I can haul a$$ up a large hill while towing 6500 pounds, even semis cant keep up and even passed some diesel motorhomes and no it was not floored, it just has great low end torque, but the headers/cold air intake can really growl when going up large hills.

My total weight with stacker trailer is 26,400 pounds and I went over the Rockies on I-70 in Colorada with ease, had no problem staying around 45 mph.

Some will say save your money cause it will not do much with power increase on the newer 3 valve V-10's and I say they are wrong, what it gives you is more torque in the lower/mid range RPM's around 3000 to 4500 RPM range where its needed the most in the hills.