I have a chance to install either a Banks Sidewinder or an ATS turbo on my '94 IDI. The Banks setup has a wastegate, not sure about the ATS. Is one better than the other? I realize ANY turbo is better than NO turbo, but since I have the chance to use eith one, I wanted some input from you guys. Any pros or cons would be helpful too.
ATS or Banks? Are there pros & cons?
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91 Posts
This has been discussed a million times. I don't think there is any noticeable performance differences. Ultimately, price and availability are the deciding factors for most. The Banks is a bit more expensive but you get a more complete kit - exhaust, pyro and boost gauge. With the ATS, you get nothing other than the turbo and filter assembly. Bank customer service is top notch - I don't know about ATS. The ATS system looks almost factory when installed. That's probably because they are the one who built the system that went into the the factory turbo'd IDIs. You will see 9-11 lbs of boost, depending on your fuel setting, with either system. I regularly see 10.5 at WOT. I've heard no negative feedback with either system. Good luck with your search - you will be happy with either one.
Brian
Brian
Half dozen of one - six of another... Having driven IDI's with both and ridden in them as well you won't find a clear winner.
As Brian stated the difference comes down to do you want everything included head to toe or do you want to have to obtain some parts from other sources?
With the Banks set up...
You get in addition to the turbo...
Exhaust from turbo to tail pipe including the big shiney tip
Transmission controller
Gauges
With ATS you don't get any of these in the basic kit... These are all options and when you upgrade the trans controll you will either have to go to Ford to pick up a Factory controller from them to controll the trans or call Banks and get the TransCommand, ATS does not sell a transcontroller for the E4OD.
When I was choosing a turbo system for The Enterprise it basically boiled down to the fact that I looked at it this way... If Banks took enough time to package everything thing in one box then what else did they do that I can't see... Then also I got a little better price on the Banks system after playing the pricing game (telling Dealer #2 that Dealer #1 will sell cheaper thing...)
Now don't discount Hypermax they make a system as well. I know the boys that run them are happy with them and they have not commented whilst riding with me that the turbo does a better job so I assume that it performs the same. I do know that I have driven a non wastegated Banks before and while I could feel the extra lag of the turbo it was not much and as soon as it spooled up I could not tell a difference powerwise.
So all in all there is no clear winner...
As Brian stated the difference comes down to do you want everything included head to toe or do you want to have to obtain some parts from other sources?
With the Banks set up...
You get in addition to the turbo...
Exhaust from turbo to tail pipe including the big shiney tip
Transmission controller
Gauges
With ATS you don't get any of these in the basic kit... These are all options and when you upgrade the trans controll you will either have to go to Ford to pick up a Factory controller from them to controll the trans or call Banks and get the TransCommand, ATS does not sell a transcontroller for the E4OD.
When I was choosing a turbo system for The Enterprise it basically boiled down to the fact that I looked at it this way... If Banks took enough time to package everything thing in one box then what else did they do that I can't see... Then also I got a little better price on the Banks system after playing the pricing game (telling Dealer #2 that Dealer #1 will sell cheaper thing...)
Now don't discount Hypermax they make a system as well. I know the boys that run them are happy with them and they have not commented whilst riding with me that the turbo does a better job so I assume that it performs the same. I do know that I have driven a non wastegated Banks before and while I could feel the extra lag of the turbo it was not much and as soon as it spooled up I could not tell a difference powerwise.
So all in all there is no clear winner...
Oh and the other thing that is different is the mounting of the turbo on the engine... the banks sits more towards the center of the intake manifold (side to side) than the ATS. ATS sort of hangs their more towards the passengers side which some of the guys complain a little about gaining access to the glow plugs on the passengers side rear where as with the Banks you can get to everything fairly easy. Not to say that you can't reach the ones on the ATS system it's just a little smaller area to reach in..
I have the factory ats and was thinking of upgrading to banks,the banks rep told me the factory turbo only gave 10 hp while the banks would give about 85......? I don't know but am not impressied with the power of my truck ,pulling 6k of horses and trailer you can really feel it. Thanks
also mine does have a factory down pipe but it is not squashed like I hear so much,but is a built up design and slighty oval.
also mine does have a factory down pipe but it is not squashed like I hear so much,but is a built up design and slighty oval.
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873 Posts
From all past discussions, the three will give the same performace if adjusted the same. I would go BANKS, just for access. I have ATS and one spot is a pain to get to durring regular maintenance.
ATS office service has been good to me.
ATS office service has been good to me.
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