Banks Six Gun (how to use)

[Bob Quinn]

Ok friends, as stated in a previous post, I have a 2006 6.0 PSD New(used)thruck. It came to me with The Banks six gun w/ adjustable power level knob 1-6. It also has the high ram intake, and the monster exhaust system and Pyro guage. I'am all new to this and I'am asking for some input as to how to use it!! I will not be pulling until the spring so I have some time. Can someone possibly give me 101 or please direct me in the right direction? It set on level 3, Can it be turned up or down? Can it be used with the trucks tow/haul? I'm currently in the Casa Grande AZ. area for the winter. Oh, did I mention that it looks and runs great.

THANKS MUCH Bob
Have a good Holiday!!

[jwoodard]

Here's a Link from the Bank's WEB site to download the owners manual:
http://assets.bankspower.com/manuals/107/96450.pdf

I suggest you read through the manual and then if you any questions post them here or call Bank's Support Service.

[Bob Quinn]

Thanks for your reply. I have read the manual for what it's worth. In my orig. post I had mentioned two questions, can the switch be moved up or down with out going through a crash course in diesel mechanics, can I use the tow/haul in combo with the banks and if so at what level would be recomended?

[jwoodard]

I ran the Big Hoss bundle and Six gun tuner with PDA assist for the last three years. I believe the operation is similar to what you have, although with mine the changes were made via the PDA and not a switch. Anyway, yes you can change the power settings and run in tow/haul mode. The one thing to remember is every time you change a power setting, especially going up in the numbers, say from 3 to 4, you have to go through a relearn process with the transmission. Also, for towing, banks recommends level 4 or below. I towed on level 4 with no problems.
Hope this helps a bit.

[Bob Quinn]

Originally Posted by jwoodard

I ran the Big Hoss bundle and Six gun tuner with PDA assist for the last three years. I believe the operation is similar to what you have, although with mine the changes were made via the PDA and not a switch. Anyway, yes you can change the power settings and run in tow/haul mode. The one thing to remember is every time you change a power setting, especially going up in the numbers, say from 3 to 4, you have to go through a relearn process with the transmission. Also, for towing, banks recommends level 4 or below. I towed on level 4 with no problems.
Hope this helps a bit.

Thank you much JW, that is what I'v been looking for. Now I have a better feeling of how to use it! When you say relearn process, is there anything that I have to do , or is it all automatic? What should I notice if anything if I were to move it down from level 3 to 2, or for that matter up to level 4 ?
Bob

[jwoodard]

Each setting from 1 (which is stock) up to 6 are incremental increases in power at the rate of about +20% for each level. So, if you change in an upward direction you should notice a performance increase and the reverse if you dial downward.

As far as the transmission learning process, here is how it's explained by Banks:
The 6.0L Ford Trucks equipped with
the TorqShiftTM 5-speed automatic
overdrive transmission use an adaptive
shift control logic. This will require the
transmission to learn how to cope
with the additional power created by
the Banks Power products before it
will shift properly. Additionally, the
Banks Six-Gun Diesel Tuner will require
a short learning curve to characterize
the transmission in order to optimize
fueling during gear change events. The
following sequence must be followed
to allow for collaborative learning
between the Banks Six-Gun and the
transmission’s control system. Failure
to follow the sequence can result in
damage to the transmission.
Perform the following sequence
at a location where it is safe to
accelerate to 60 mph without
exceeding the posted speed limit.
1. Start the truck and allow the
engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
2. Turn the Six-Gun selector switch to
the #2 position.
3. Accelerate with the pedal to the
floor, from a standing start to 60 mph.
Repeat three (3) times.
4. Cruise at 30 mph, then press the
accelerator to the floor to cause the
transmission to downshift. Continue
accelerating to 60 mph.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the next
power setting.
6. Continue to increase the power
setting and drive cycle until the
desired power setting is achieved.
The TorqShift™ 5-speed automatic
transmission will continually adapt to
the power output of the engine to
optimize shift quality. This will result in
the transmission un-learning how to
cope with the higher power settings of
the Six-Gun Diesel Tuner, if the selector
switch is returned to a lower power
setting. The rate that the transmission
un-learns how to cope with the higher
power levels, when switching to a
lower power level, depends on the
driving cycle. The transmission will
quickly adapt to the power setting if
the driving cycle includes regular gear
changes at high loads. The
transmission learning procedure
will need to be repeated when
switching back to the higher
power settings once the
transmission adapts to the lower
power settings. It will be apparent
when the transmission adapts to the
lower settings by monitoring the feel
of the gearshift. Gear changes will be
noticeably harder when initially
switching from a higher to lower
power setting. This will soften as the
transmission adapts to the new
setting.
For example: If the transmission has
adapted to level 3 and it is desired to
go to level 6, the transmission learning
procedure can start at level 3.
IF TRANSMISSION SLIP IS DETECTED
DURING THE TRANSMISSION LEARN
PROCESS, REDUCE THE POWER LEVEL
BY ONE, AND START OVER AT STEP 3.

The most important thing is to follow steps 3 and 4 whenever you increment the dial, meaning going up in numbers. Also, if you are currently on 3 and want to go to 6, you must do the relearn process at level 4, then 5 and finally 6.

[Bob Quinn]

Originally Posted by jwoodard

Each setting from 1 (which is stock) up to 6 are incremental increases in power at the rate of about +20% for each level. So, if you change in an upward direction you should notice a performance increase and the reverse if you dial downward.

As far as the transmission learning process, here is how it's explained by Banks:
The 6.0L Ford Trucks equipped with
the TorqShiftTM 5-speed automatic
overdrive transmission use an adaptive
shift control logic. This will require the
transmission to learn how to cope
with the additional power created by
the Banks Power products before it
will shift properly. Additionally, the
Banks Six-Gun Diesel Tuner will require
a short learning curve to characterize
the transmission in order to optimize
fueling during gear change events. The
following sequence must be followed
to allow for collaborative learning
between the Banks Six-Gun and the
transmission’s control system. Failure
to follow the sequence can result in
damage to the transmission.
Perform the following sequence
at a location where it is safe to
accelerate to 60 mph without
exceeding the posted speed limit.
1. Start the truck and allow the
engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
2. Turn the Six-Gun selector switch to
the #2 position.
3. Accelerate with the pedal to the
floor, from a standing start to 60 mph.
Repeat three (3) times.
4. Cruise at 30 mph, then press the
accelerator to the floor to cause the
transmission to downshift. Continue
accelerating to 60 mph.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the next
power setting.
6. Continue to increase the power
setting and drive cycle until the
desired power setting is achieved.
The TorqShift™ 5-speed automatic
transmission will continually adapt to
the power output of the engine to
optimize shift quality. This will result in
the transmission un-learning how to
cope with the higher power settings of
the Six-Gun Diesel Tuner, if the selector
switch is returned to a lower power
setting. The rate that the transmission
un-learns how to cope with the higher
power levels, when switching to a
lower power level, depends on the
driving cycle. The transmission will
quickly adapt to the power setting if
the driving cycle includes regular gear
changes at high loads. The
transmission learning procedure
will need to be repeated when
switching back to the higher
power settings once the
transmission adapts to the lower
power settings. It will be apparent
when the transmission adapts to the
lower settings by monitoring the feel
of the gearshift. Gear changes will be
noticeably harder when initially
switching from a higher to lower
power setting. This will soften as the
transmission adapts to the new
setting.
For example: If the transmission has
adapted to level 3 and it is desired to
go to level 6, the transmission learning
procedure can start at level 3.
IF TRANSMISSION SLIP IS DETECTED
DURING THE TRANSMISSION LEARN
PROCESS, REDUCE THE POWER LEVEL
BY ONE, AND START OVER AT STEP 3.

The most important thing is to follow steps 3 and 4 whenever you increment the dial, meaning going up in numbers. Also, if you are currently on 3 and want to go to 6, you must do the relearn process at level 4, then 5 and finally 6.

Thanks again JW, so if I want to go back to (1 stock), just turn it back and go on, but if I want ot turn it up to (6) I have to take it thru the learning stage for each level up tp (6) Gosh I hope I got that right!
Bob

[glsurratt]

"The following sequence must be followed to allow for collaborative learning between the Banks Six-Gun and the transmission’s control system. Failure to follow the sequence can result in damage to the transmission."

Sounds like a real PITA to me. Not to mention that to go from 0 to 6 setting, you have to do 18 hard acceleration runs. That's a lot of fuel down the tubes.

"3. Accelerate with the pedal to the floor, from a standing start to 60 mph. Repeat three (3) times."

At what level have you added so much power and torque that you are smoking the tires during this process. They should add "Make sure no cops are watching."

[Bob Quinn]

Originally Posted by glsurratt

"The following sequence must be followed to allow for collaborative learning between the Banks Six-Gun and the transmission’s control system. Failure to follow the sequence can result in damage to the transmission."

Sounds like a real PITA to me. Not to mention that to go from 0 to 6 setting, you have to do 18 hard acceleration runs. That's a lot of fuel down the tubes.

"3. Accelerate with the pedal to the floor, from a standing start to 60 mph. Repeat three (3) times."

At what level have you added so much power and torque that you are smoking the tires during this process. They should add "Make sure no cops are watching."

Where did you read that I was smoking tires? I'm here trying to figure out how to use something befor I destroy somthing! If you have any constructive information please feel free to chime in.
Thans, Have a great Day!

[glsurratt]

Originally Posted by Bob Quinn

Where did you read that I was smoking tires? I'm here trying to figure out how to use something befor I destroy somthing! If you have any constructive information please feel free to chime in.
Thans, Have a great Day!

I never said YOU were smoking tires. But on level 6, you are going to be close to 475 hp and I don't remember how much torque. When you mash the pedal as it says in the instructions, you just MIGHT be able to smoke some rubber.

And I pointed out the fuel consumption and time it takes to go out and find a straight flat stretch of road to configure the darned thing because I was unaware of those requirements. I had been looking at a Banks system myself, but I'm not sure I want that kind of hassle each time I decide to change power levels - so you guys have given me more data to consider in making my decision. Thanks.