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First buy guages (boost, EGT, Trans Temp), then buy an intercooler, then an exhaust, then an intake, then ARP headstuds and then a tuner last.
I have the full Banks system on my 2005 6.0 - 6 gun with speed loader, trans command. intake, air filter, exhaust, ram air and intercooler.
The system does make power - their is a real difference from programs 2-5, a noticable difference with each change not much change to 6 (1 is stock).
I am having problems with the Banks hoses failing and blowing off the Turbo on the intercooler side for the past year, after 2 years with no problems. They sent me their updated kit, but has not helped. They also sent me a new 6 gun out of warranty, as mine was not working properly.
I blew my head gasket at 32K miles as I was using the Banks power to tow. They said don't go over program 2 when towing, I cheated and used 4 on flat ground and at the beginning of hills, then turned it down when it got hot. Not a good idea! If you are going to tow you can't use the power, which is why I got it in the first place.
There are other factors to Tuners than off the shelf power which Banks, Bullydog, edge etc. provide right off the shelf. If you want usable power you have get a tuner like a SCT and have it custom tuned by one of the good tuners (check the boards and you will see there a few names that keep coming up). They not only tune for power, they tune your tranmission shifts, torque converter lock up etc.. They can get you anything your want from a gas milage program to an extreme HP program for drags and a tow program in between.
I am taking my truck in a few weeks to have it custom tuned. Since my primary focus is towing he has asked me to bring my truck and my heaviest trailer to him. He will tune it live, drive it around and get it how he wants it. I will get 2 tow tunes and one more powerful daily driving tune for when I am driving the truck without a bigger toy box.
The lessons people have learned is if you tune it and you don't mind your gauges you will have issues. If you have no warranty and don't do your own work (like me) then you are looking at $1,500 for a head gasket job.
Good luck with your decision - and don't try a tuner unless you are committed, cause the power is addicting - I really don't want to give up my Banks shift on the fly convenience or the power of programs 4,5 & 6 - but I am tired of fixing blown off hoses etc. I just want to get there and go riding, so I guess I will be a little slower up hills in the future!
JCM
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