If you own, or have owned a Banks Monster exhaust for an '04 and up model I need your help.

I have had mine on for three days now and I absolutely love everything about it except: I have the dreaded 1800-2000 rpm drone I have tried to convince myself that it's not that bad, but it's getting to where I dread that rpm range especially under a slight load (like an incline) Unfortunately I drive a lot of winding country roads and highway and find myself in that range alot. It's not really that loud like you can't hear a conversation, it's more an annoying vibration that you can feel through the floorboard and in your inner ear like a ringing. I don't think I have overly sensitive ears, I ride a Harley and love the sound of a well tuned exhaust.

What makes it hard for me to believe is how good it can sound at every other rpm range though. It has a nice bass drum beat at idle all the way up to the drone point, and then it has a nice muscle car sound at 2200 and beyond. Also the fit and finish of this system is top rate. I really would like to keep this system and I am willing to try anything to fix the problem.

I have done a lot of searching on this forum and what I am finding is that some people have zero drone with this system while others have had complaints. I am trying to narrow down the variables to find out why it does it only on some to see if it may be a certain engine or cab configuration. I also recall reading where someone claimed a performance tune solved the problem. If so maybe there is a way to resolve it. Like I said mine feels more like a vibration and I can only get it to drone if the engine is under load. Revving while in park there is no drone at any RPM. I'm starting to think it may have something to do with the length of the system and how many attachment points are used

If you have or have had the Banks Monster exhaust please respond to this post and let me know the following:

1. If your system drones or not.
2. If you have the 5.4L or 4.6L engine.
3. Your cab configuration and bed length.
4. Other performance mods (such as CAI, tuner, ect)

I would also appreciate anyones advice that may have already delt with this issue and found a way around it.

Your input is appreciated!

 

I have an 05 SCREW 5.4 with the banks monster exhaust. I also have a voulant intake and an edge. I have the exact same drone and hate it. I have heard that it comes from the intake, not the exhaust, but could be wrong. I could not agree with you more on the exhaust, it is perfect in every way, with the exception of that drone..if that is part of the problem. Interested to know what others are doing about this problem as well.

 

I have an 05 FX4 F150 Screw with an volant and the banks monster exhaust with si/so. I have no drone what so ever. When I installed the volant I noticed a vibration inconsistently at diff. rpm's. Bed length is the 5.5'. I did notice after installing the Banks the clamps worked them self loose so I highly recommend getting them welded this could be your problem.

 

i feel ford went out of their way with the stock exhaust to eliminate this drone in this rpm zone- maybe it's the counterbalancer weight thing? they put on the exhaust- at least the 97-03's had this - iv'e driven ina lot of fords with various aftermarket exhausts and mufflers- they all vary in drone one degree 2 another-i must say the si do corsa i drive in while towing 6k lbs had zero drone-phil

 

Thanks for your response, but I'm sure it's definately not the clamps. I didn't even install the regular muffler clamps they provided, I obtained the TORCA stainless steel band clamps and torqued them to 45 ft/lbs during installation. I also re-torqued them again after about 100 miles to make sure they were seated.

Another thing of interest I have noticed is it doesn't drone much at all until the engine gets up to operating temperature... I actually enjoy hearing the exhaust at that rpm range for the first 2-3 minutes or so, then that damn "tuba note" kicks in after she's fully warmed up.

I'm glad to hear that some of you are not experiencing this problem, but sure wish I hadn't drawn the drone card. For those of you who are as well there still may be hope, I have contacted Banks and thier tech guys are researching this for me, along with one possible solution. It seems drone is a very big problem for the larger diesel exhaust systems and one company has apparently found a solution, I am also researching to see if this type apparatus will work for our application.http://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/exhaust_guide