I'm considering putting a Banks PowerPack kit on my truck and wonder if anyone has experience with the benefits. This is an upgrade of headers to their Stinger kit which is the intake and cat-back exhaust.

I generally know of Banks' great reputation; What I'm specifically wondering about is whether adding the headers is going to be worthwhile, (and worth $900 + shipping and installation) and how much louder they'll make things as a practical matter.

Theoretically I can start with the Stinger and then just order the headers separately. But I have also been talking to Mike T about a Superchip, but since it will have to be programmed to accommodate the extra breathing from the headers I sorta need to get all this figured out before starting.

I have an F250 (please don't flame me, this just seems a more logical place to post - Steve's even considering combining the separate F250 and F150 sections) with a 460/7.5l .

 

From what I've gathered, the Banks kit works great on the 460. I know plenty of V10 owners who have used the Banks kit and it really helps them too. What ever you do do not buy directly from Banks. Go thru a dealer. It will be cheaper.

 

Thanks V10 man - I'll check into other dealers. I hadn't considered it, figuring that the cost would be cheaper manufacturer direct. Glad to hear it makes such a difference on that motor. I'm hoping to hear also from someone who might know of the difference the header piece makes for the dollar$.

 

Hello Galaxie,

Did you ever hear from someone who installed the Banks Power system on a 5.4L? Did you install in on your truck?

Thanks,
SC

 

Well I've got the full Banks kit installed now, waiting for some wallet recovery before doing the SuperChip.

In subjective comparison (I'm not into it enough to have done timed runs) it does feel a little stronger in daily driving which is pretty light duty so far. I'd be interested in the experiences the folks V10Man mentions had.

I'm very satisfied with the quality, though the advertisements show polished stainless on the headers and they don't do that anymore due to costs (a tag is included to that effect).

My impressions of the powerband go along with what the advertising shows - the results really start to occur about 3000 rpm and the entire hp/torque curve is shifted up about 500 rpm. So not a whole lot extra on the bottom end grunt, and when the power does come on I (possibly unrealistically) just expected more of rush.

So I gotta say I'm kinda lukewarm on the cost vs the results for my style of driving: I don't normally wind this rig up much tighter than 3000/3500 - given the curves advertised I'm also aware of being slightly unfair. We'll see for sure how it feels with the heavy hauling season. (Main excuse for doing this is that I'm planning on doing some vacation trailering or possibly a camper. Though I won't have a direct comparison if the truck feels like it has some reserve while tackling the hills I'll be happy).

The sound is a bit louder, but not objectionably so inside the cab.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably go with the Stinger kit first (K&N + cat back exhaust), then the SuperChip, and then decide if the headers were going to make the co$t / benefit cut.

 

Thank you very much for your reply Galaxie.

How's the sound at idle? Is it a nice rumble? Why did you go with Gale? Why not JBA for example? I like Gale because it is a "dynoed" package. I doubt that I can make the same gains if I mix and match parts from differnt suppliers. Is it the same with you?

SC

 

Sure SB, I've got a noticeable rumble at idle but it's not obnoxious. Just a good 'throaty' sound. In fact it's less than I expected.

I went with Banks because of longterm seeing their labels on trucks and the local speed shop I worked with -perhaps biased as they do sell Banks stuff but they sell other stuff too- had only good to say about other customers' experiences with stuff. Said they'd never had any come back unsatisfied. I saw their display at an RV show over a year ago and was impressed with the quality of the headers and the exhaust systems and their gaurantees because of the materials. It was plain to me that they as a company weren't going away tomorrow and that the quality of construction was there. As to the engineering behind it, I just took a gamble I guess. Thing is I'm not looking to be -the fastest- or whatever, I could just feel the restriction on the motors' breathing; (mine is a 3/4 ton, 460bb, 4wd, SC w\ 8'bed truck, which still turns and stops like one so I'm not out winding on it (ie headers probably aren't the product for me but I went the whole way anyway) or racing it around). Just took me awhile to convince myself that I wanted to do this badly enough to justify the cost.

As to whether or not it's likely to get similar results mixing and matching, I really don't know, there's so much advertising out there, each with some $ to make on sales... Forums like this are great for that reason of course.

I see alot of satisfaction about the SuperChip and Mike sure seems to provide great support before and after the sale so I plan to get one in a few months.

Meanwhile again, for my purposes I'd likely work so as to leave my options open for the headers later by doing the Banks intake/catback or the SuperChip (flipchip model with/without the header calibration which Mike says is over and above the standard calibration) first, and then evaluate whether I could justify the Banks headers. I'd stay with Banks just because they're designed to work together.

BTW depending on your setup mechanically, I suggest planning to pay to have the headers installed. After hearing what the speed shop I worked with locally went through on mine it was $$ well spent. My rig is low mileage (1997, 26Kmiles) but even still with all the heating and cooling that goes on, they were better equipped to deal with the inevitable snapped exhaust manifold fasteners and balky O2 sensors.

Sorry for being so longwinded, think I'll switch to decaf for today

If iI can help further you could call me (if sound is a big deal to you I'll take the phone out to the truck so you could hear the exhaust if you like).

 

Thanks again Galaxie for your reply.

I am pretty sure I will go with the complete Banks Powerpack.

Could you also tell me if your rear shock are behind the axle of in front? Mine are behind. I had taken an exhaust from a 2001 HD and it did not fit because the HD had the shock in front of the axle. Just want to make sure before I order.

What do you think about the header's "integral heat shielding"? Is it similar/effective to ceramic coated?

Thanks again,
SC