Banks V.S. Bully Dog - Diesel Forum

Learning_Diesels · 08-21-2008, 08:03 PM

what is everyones opinion on these 2 systems? Not sure what system i want to get but ive heard really good things about both. trying to get as much input as i can before i get one or the other. thanks..

**dieselmankane** · 08-21-2008, 10:57 PM

haven't heard a whole lot of good about Banks, but I do have a bully dog, and it seems pretty "good" depending on what "good" means, I like it because the all in one outlook monitor is a pretty awesome gauge, that displays many readings, Egt's, ICP, boost, etc... However, I no longer hot rod my truck around, because I am fully convinced now that the repair bills are just not worth it. I haven't had major problems as of yet, but I am now in the process of figuring out wether or not I blew my head-gasket$. So my recommendation to you this point would be to forget the tuner. I know there are people out there with tuners that haven't had problems, but there are of course a good amount that have.

Sorry to get off topic, I am just trying to save you potential headaches. It's your call of course, and if you have the cash to fix it, and it is worth the extra HP, go for it.

Kane

supercup · 08-27-2008, 11:17 PM

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

arsondog · 08-27-2008, 11:21 PM

Well, I had a Bullydog for 3 weeks and since then my truck has been in the shop for 2 weeks. Blowing white smoke, giving trouble codes that according to Ford my truck shouldn't even be able to throw....so my advice would be avoid Bullydog but if you want one I will sell you my PMT.

dennisj2003 · 08-29-2008, 01:30 AM

Just bought and installed the Banks six gun, only a few miles so far, I will report problems as they come around if any.

**spectre1** · 08-30-2008, 06:11 PM

I've been running with a Bully Dog tuner and their Outlook Monitor for about 18 months and 30,000 miles and it works great for me. I keep it running at 100% and use it for faster acceleration without sticking my foot through the firewall and to get better mileage. K&N Cold Ar Intake and Magnaflow exhaust came first though.

Learning_Diesels · 08-31-2008, 11:34 AM

i mainly want to get a chip for better fuel. not so worried about power. what is everyones fuel mpg with a chip?

Cecil_Stringer · 08-31-2008, 02:46 PM

Running a Banks 6-Gun on my 2003 PSD for a couple of years now.... no problems from the kit.
The performance gains are substantial and very noticeable.... including fuel economy gains
I also have an intake and exhaust system.

Next is an intercooler.

Learning_Diesels · 09-01-2008, 09:46 AM

that is what i am thinking about getting is the complete banks system. ill get a few parts at a time. what is ur fuel economy now?

Muddog06 · 09-05-2008, 02:13 PM

My buddy's power pup (Bully dog) started giving him trouble since the last update via internet. Started throwing codes for for 04 and 05 model equipment that is no longer on the 06? Ford ain't real happy with him right not !!! I think maybe bully dog may scre*** the pooch on their last updates ?

TBR45 · 09-05-2008, 03:04 PM

I can not recommend the Banks system enough. I did all the install myself, the instructions were very detailed and user friendly to follow. All of the parts and hardware were quality, and the customer support was great! I have 200k on my truck with 120k or so with the kit installed. MPG gaines both towing and not. Also when you get on it there is little to no black smoke. One of my friends has the same truck with the bully dog kit and when he gets on it, it looks like a James Bond movie trick of black smoke. He also does not have neer the power when we start to pull the mountains. He has too much invested to switch but he wished he had gone with Banks from the beginning. Anyway I would go with the Banks kit again and again!!!!!

arsondog · 09-05-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddog06

My buddy's power pup (Bully dog) started giving him trouble since the last update via internet. Started throwing codes for for 04 and 05 model equipment that is no longer on the 06? Ford ain't real happy with him right not !!! I think maybe bully dog may scre*** the pooch on their last updates ?

Let me guess code P0487 or P0478...I can't remember the one I got its been a few weeks since it threw it. If that was the code and he starts blowing white smoke have Ford check the exhaust backpressure sensor.

rvogel · 10-02-2009, 10:29 AM

I recently got a code 0487 (no CEL) and have noticed less power lately and lower boost showing on the gauge. Haven't noticed any white smoke. Should I clean/replace the EGR first?

BLUE6.0FX4 · 10-02-2009, 12:23 PM

i am not biased against either because i have never run the bullydog...i've been running the banks six gun w/speedloader for a while now.i keep it on level 2 and i get 14-18 mpg depending on how i am driving that day.i dont really get on it because my truck is not studded and egr is also not ready.it does not blow any smoke..the power is very noticeable as you switch levels...but with the torqshift tranny, every time you switch a level you are supposed to stop put it on the level you want and do three 0-60 "pedal to the floor" accelerations..so your transmission can learn how to handle the power...so its not really shift on the fly, i assume it would be the same for the bullydog being it is a programmer also, dont quote me on that though...also be sure to get a set of guages...at least an egt gauge. good luck!!!

work&play · 10-02-2009, 09:14 PM

I had a Banks 6-gun on my 03 and now on my 07 I have an SCT with custom tunes and in is SOOOOOO much better.
Most people will say that SCT is the best tuner for a 6.0.
The banks and bully-dog do not program the tranny and will kill it over time.
The SCT will program the trans. and help it last longer.