Aftermarket engine kits - Diesel Forum

1996_stroker · 06-10-2007, 10:09 PM

Does anyone have any input on the banks powerpack for the 96 powerstroke. it comes with the ram air and new downpipes, exhaust you know all that stuff so any input.

lawnboy1988 · 06-10-2007, 10:43 PM

First of all, Welcome to TDS!!! I'm not bashing Banks, but you can buy all that stuff separately from the vendors here on TDS for much cheaper, and probably get a better performing truck to boot! The only thing I'm not sure about is an intercooler kit from another vendor. The intake and downpipe you can get from Dale Isley at Tymar Performance. I reccommend DP Tuner for the chip, but many have also had great results with Tony Wildman. The banks "Quick-Turbo" housing is nothing more than a .84(?) exhaust housing, which helps with spool, as the stock housing is 1.15 IIRC. But, if you ever plan on upgrading injectors, you are better off with the stock housing. You can get a good exhaust system from www.itpdiesel.com for cheaper than a comparable banks system. The Transcommand module is junk, from what I've read on TDS, and is no replacement for a quality valve body, preferably from Brian at BTS! The Dynafact gauges are not nearly as accurate and reliable as a good set of Isspro gauges you can buy from one of the many vendors here on TDS! I was also leaning towards the banks powerpack when I first began upgrading my powerstroke, but I came across this site and discovered where I could get much more "bang for the buck" and great customer service! Hope this helps you out and if you have any more questions, just ask!

1996_stroker · 06-10-2007, 10:57 PM

thanks for the welcome and the input.

if i were to start upgrading my powerstroke, what would y'all suggest i start out with. like exhaust then downpipes then tuner or what. any input is appreciated, also if im not makin sense im sorry i just had knee surgery so im on some drugs at the moment so im a little out of it

bluebird · 06-10-2007, 11:45 PM

it all depends on how faar you want to go i started out with a down pipe and intake, shimmed the FPR and gauges. then i went and got beans stage 1 injectorsa nd 6 position chip, now i am onto beans stage 2s garret ball bearing turbo,cold air charger, superduty intakes a v10 tranny cooler head studs

as far to where to start i would do a DownPipe and intake i got mine from dale at tymar perforamce
good luck with your truck and hide your wallet

bigfootinindiana · 06-11-2007, 01:23 AM

Blue bird are you running those 2's on a stock tranny? If so hows it holding up, how many miles?
Jason

caryt · 06-11-2007, 10:15 AM

Banks= waste of money..like others have said you'll get more power and better parts for your $$ by getting your intake, exhaust and guages from dale @ Tymar.. web page and definatly get your chip from Tony Wildman.. web page !

Cary

1996_stroker · 06-12-2007, 12:53 AM

so with all this stuff youve mentioned how will my MPG be effected along with torque and HP. i meen i would hate to drop some $ on my truck an end up with minimal power gains and crappy MPG. The thing with banks is they give me the numbers on power gains and MPG.

caryt · 06-12-2007, 11:22 AM

Banks flat lies . [ QUOTE ]
PowerPack® system
Stunning top gains of +120 hp, +256 lb-ft (rear wheel)

[/ QUOTE ] BULL S*** [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif[/img]

With the mods I suggested you will get every ounce of additional power that your inj can provide but its only about 60hp and maybe 150tq +-. Your mileage will go up, mine and many others have reported this over the years.

You will not be disapointed or EVER wish you would have gone with Banks.

Cary

danjreed · 06-12-2007, 02:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
so with all this stuff youve mentioned how will my MPG be effected along with torque and HP. i meen i would hate to drop some $ on my truck an end up with minimal power gains and crappy MPG. The thing with banks is they give me the numbers on power gains and MPG.

[/ QUOTE ]

You want numbers, here they are.
My truck is a '96 with almost 230,000 miles.
According to Tony Wildman ( Total Diesel Perofrmance), the stock injectors are only good for 70 extra horsepower. He should know, he tunes trucks for a living, and has been doing it for several years. The banks claim of 160 HP is total BS on stock injectors. It will not happen.
As you can see from my sig, I dyno'd 277HP, 543Ft-Lb torque. This was with injectors, downpipe, chip, and intake.
In stock form, the engine makes 215HP at the flywheel. That is about 182HP at the wheels. So I am making about 325HP at the flywheel.
Someone on here Other people make even more power with a better high pressure oil pump (HPOP) and intercooler.
I've not met Jim Rose, but I've talked to him and he is a good guy to deal with. The same goes for Dale Isley. I have met and talked to Brian and Cale Thompson, and they are great guys. Totally customer service oriented, they wouldn't even let me pay until I test drove the truck and they were convinced I was happy with the downpipe and chip.
Running almost exclusively on Cale's heavy tow/econo setting, I've gained a consistent 1.5-2MPG. It might actually be more on the highway, but I drive pretty hard in the city.

Banks makes their product as idiot proof as possible. It has to go on thousands of different configuration trucks and fit all of them easily. It also has to keep from destroying the truck when the owner decides to run foot down for 6.5 hours on the highway. They have to limit their own product to cover their posterior. Finding that limit and programming it takes time, expertise, and money. That makes the end product less powerful and more expensive. I have to watch my gauges to make sure I don't blow it up. It's up to me to decide how far to push my truck.

Each vendor that I've mentioned will gladly work any of the others to get your truck where you want it, and for a reasonable price.