Banks Six Gun

[1970Cyclone]

Originally Posted by Caribe_Pick_up

Smotrs

The procedure must be repeated each time you change to a higher power level, in Section 4 is clearly stated, “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.”

The tuner is being widely marketed as that the power levels can be changed on-the-fly. Ok, no download but in case that I have being using the truck on level 1 and wants to go to level 6. Then, I have to repeat the procedure (Accelerate with the pedal to the floor, from a standing start to 60 mph. Repeat three times) 5 times before using the truck at level 6. I already ordered it; I would wish to don’t be correct.

This is the same procedure used in the other Banks Tuners (I had a 6.0 six gun with the PDA). The torqeshift is a "learning" transmission, it takes care of the additional HP produced very well.

All of these people trying to downplay the "shift on the fly" part of the PDA (or the regular old knob with the speedloader).. It is great BTW, I sometimes followed the "rules" of teaching the tranny, sometimes not. It was very intuitive (and dirt simple) to change levels with the knob or the PDA.

If you just drive a little before you start romping on it you will be okay, if you are in level 1 (why you would EVER be on 1 would be a mystery) and want to goto level 6 to beat a Dodge or somethin, then you should most likely let it go through the gears once or twice at 3 then move up.. BTW, I left mine on 4 most all the time, found it to be the best setting for all around driving, although 6 was the most fun on the 6.0. Going from 4 to 6 is not a big deal (was not for me anyhow).. Your milage may vary.

[Craig1963]

All,

Thanks to all for the input. Right now I drive me vehicle 100 miles a day almost all hwy, thats going to change hopefully in a couple of months when I take a new job, then its going to be 14 miles a day. What I would be looking for is fuel mileage not power. I have a 17k pound boat, but its too wide to be towed. Other than that truck is a grocery getter.

Craig

[Caribe_Pick_up]

Originally Posted by 1970Cyclone

This is the same procedure used in the other Banks Tuners (I had a 6.0 six gun with the PDA). The torqeshift is a "learning" transmission, it takes care of the additional HP produced very well.

All of these people trying to downplay the "shift on the fly" part of the PDA (or the regular old knob with the speedloader).. It is great BTW, I sometimes followed the "rules" of teaching the tranny, sometimes not. It was very intuitive (and dirt simple) to change levels with the knob or the PDA.

Thanks for the feedback. I have no experience with a tuner and am waiting to receive my 6.4 Six-Gun with both, the Selector Knob and the PowerPDA but once the system is used it can’t be returned. I am just reacting to what I read at the manual, the words gone with the wind. Apparently Banks Power, by mistake didn’t describe correctly the transmission learning procedure or their engineers were too honest describing a procedure that assures the transmission longer life (In fact, I am a Professional Mechanical Engineer and should accepts that don't have a marketing mind). What bankspower described in this forum and thru the phone is very different from what is written there. I would feel comfortable if what bankspower is now saying is equally written in their manual.

Don’t misunderstanding me; I have being observing how Banks Power drives their business and being an engineer I like how they develop their products. That’s why I already have the RamAir Intake and the Monster Exhaust installed on my truck. But since I am taking the chance by installing all this, wants to be sure that the Six-Gun is what I am expecting from it, without surprises.

[smotrs]

Jeff, wondering if the VUI will have some sort of BaseLine comparison chart or setting within it? What I'm thinking is this. The VUI is hooked up to the vehicle. An option for BaseLine is selected where the system instructs you to set the vehicle at option 1 and drive city/highway whatever for a certain amount of miles. Information is gathered based on how the vehicle performs and stored.

When complete the user can select options 2-6 and it will show a comparisson between now and stock so the user sees what kind of performance gains they are recieving over the stock settings in real-time.

[jimd1050]

Originally Posted by smotrs

Jeff, wondering if the VUI will have some sort of BaseLine comparison chart or setting within it? What I'm thinking is this. The VUI is hooked up to the vehicle. An option for BaseLine is selected where the system instructs you to set the vehicle at option 1 and drive city/highway whatever for a certain amount of miles. Information is gathered based on how the vehicle performs and stored.

When complete the user can select options 2-6 and it will show a comparisson between now and stock so the user sees what kind of performance gains they are recieving over the stock settings in real-time.

+1 That's a very good idea... would be an awesome feature!

[joec]

Just wanted to let everyone know I received my six gun today. Probably going to install it tonight

[Power__Stroke]

yes finally someone got it. Ok here's what I need you to do. First drive 300 miles with empty truck..then hook up around 7500lbs and drive until tank is empty on highway around 70. calculate milage and report back ASAP. Thanks in advance

[jimd1050]

Originally Posted by joec

Just wanted to let everyone know I received my six gun today. Probably going to install it tonight

O.K. Joe, keep the rest of us informed please? Can't wait to hear how it works out. Oh yeah... patience, it's a new product!

[slurrr]

Having mine installed (six gun) on Monday April 6th at the Banks Facility. I will report back hopefully by Tuesday.

[wheezy]

EXCITED TO HEAR THE NEWS...

I'm really looking forward to the preliminary results.

From what I understand, the combo is the way to go. Intake/Exhaust/Tuner if you really want to maximize MPG.

I'm waiting to hear the tuner only MPG results!

I'm jealous! Banks is def the way to go as far as I'm concerned and I've done more reading on all the systems that just about anybody!

I have a 200,000 engine warranty and plan to keep it!

[smotrs]

I mentioned earlier in this thread that I was called by Banks to test the unit, they needed some local vehicles to provide feedback. I had the Ram-Air Intake, Dual Exhaust and the Six-Gun installed that Friday (03/20/2009).

I've mainly been driving at level 5 & 6 on the knob, so haven't noticed any MPG increase as of yet. In fact, if I go by the lie-o-meter which usually reads between 11-12, now I'm reading between 9-10. I'm waiting to fill up again so I can hand calc it. Since both 5 & 6 are considered sports tunes, it's recommended to drive in levels 3 & 4 for MPG increases and towing performance, we'll see this next fill up.

As for the performance, once the engine warms up and the the six-gun is enabled, you do notice an increase. Right off the line there is still the hesitation we are all familiar with, but once the turbos spool up you do get thrown back in the seat pretty good. I definitely need to get some torque bars for the rear now, as the axle wrap is definitely more noticeable if you romp on it.

Acceleration feels a whole lot better over stock as well. Many times when just cruising at about 30-40mph I romped on it and in no time at all it was at 70mph. Like before, you can feel yourself being thrown back in the seat pretty good. Even when just cruising around and driving it like a normal person so as to try to get better mileage, the car seems to get up to speed quicker then it did in it's stock form. What I mean is, previously I would leave the stoplight gradually getting up to the 40-45mph posted speed limit, keeping the RPM below 20 and Boost below 10 so as to save on fuel. Cars would start going past me and around me as it took longer for me to get to this posted speed. Now, it gets up to speed allot quicker while still keeping the RPM and Boost below the same levels, in the meantime, I'm going past everyone else.

Shifting feels very smooth through all the gears, smoother then stock. Doesn't feel as hard as it did when in stock form. Not sure what else to say about shifting.

I don't have a PDA, so I can't give any actual comparison values of any sort. Which is why I posted my idea about the VUI a couple posts back, I think this would be a great addition and feature to the new system by actually giving you a real-time comparison over the stock settings for various things.

[AIRDOG1138]

Shaun -
Thanks for the feedback.
How was the "put it in setting 2, step on til 60mph, then go 30 mph and then stomp on it again, and then repeat this 2 more times, and do that for every setting" set up? It sounds like a huge pain. Was the initial set up that arduous or is the bark worse than the bite?

Thanks again.

Gino

[smotrs]

Gino, I had it installed by the Banks facility, so I assume they did that for me. They were still hooking it up when I showed up to pick up the truck and it was only an additional 30 45 minutes before the installation was complete and they came back from the test drive. Which is when I think they performed the calibration procedure.

I haven't actually tried it myself yet so I don't know. I imagine the hardest part of the procedure is finding a stretch of road you can perform it on without worrying about kids or cops. A freeway would be adequate if it's not too busy, maybe going from one freeway on/off ramp to the next and then get back on on the other side. Problem is, this is California and there no such thing as a non-busy freeway here.

I do know that I have switched back and forth a few times from lower levels to higher levels without any issues. Jeff mentioned in a previous post that if there was an issue with the tranny calibration, it would have thrown a code.

Also, when Banks installed my knob, they left it hanging out between where the steering console cover and dash join. Apparently because they are coming out with the VUI in the near future, they didn't want to poke unnecessary holes in my dash if not needed. If I decided later I wanted them to poke a hole in it, all I have to do is bring it by.

[AIRDOG1138]

Hmmm.. Ok.
My neighborhood butts up to a new toll road (45) in Austin and it's virtually empty. So I shouldn't have an issue with finding an empty stretch of road to get up and down on the throttle. But it still sounds like a real drag. I can only imagine the fuzz pulling me over and me trying to explain what I'm doing to them.

[richanitamoore]

I would probably set it to level 3 or 4 and put the switch under the dash. I am only looking for mileage so no need to run the higher levels.