Took a recent trip from LA area to Tahoe, via 14, 395, 88, Kingsbury grade into Tahoe, for those who know the route. Coming out of Bishop, Lee Vining, etc., starting the 395 climbs and finally the Kingsbury grade, the V10 is pumping 4K rpms, not sure what gear and moving 30mph. The speed doesn't bother me so much as it actually gave me the chance to sightsee a little but I am concerned about the safety of the slow speed and the effect of the high rpms may play on the V10 over a period of time. Otherwise, I5 Grapevine grades are 45-60mph each way, as long as the rpms are up. See my profile for MH type and by the way, this was towing a Saturn Vue, car not loaded with standard stuff in the rig.
You all know where I'm going with this.
1) Do I invest in the Banks system, as advertised and are there
benefits?
2) Is there an or equal or better than Banks?
3) Keep the V10 as is.
Very interested in opinions of current users and experienced recommendations. As always, thanks for your help.
Fred C, Mary & 'Noah' (momma's boy) SoCal
KC6THS (ham)
07 Coachmen Concord
07 Saturn Vue
the ford v10 likes high rpms. it can rev 4k all day long. i have 224k on my tv with the v10, it often sees 4k to 4.5k for several minutes at a time. i would be more concerned with the trans temps for those long uphill battles than the high rpm with the v10
1999 F-250 Extra Cab SD 4X4 V-10
2000 Wildwood 28RKSS2S 31' 5ver
Derrick, Michelle, Michaela, Riona and "Bones" (K-9 companion) We Are Currently Here my website
thomasinnv wrote: the ford v10 likes high rpms. it can rev 4k all day long. i have 224k on my tv with the v10, it often sees 4k to 4.5k for several minutes at a time. i would be more concerned with the trans temps for those long uphill battles than the high rpm with the v10
Good point on the trans temp. I don't recall seeing a temp gauge. Glad to hear high milage and still going strong. Thanks for the input.
Some have reported happiness with the Banks system, other have said it was a waste of money. The v10 out of the box, is tuned out to nearly max already (about 80-90% efficiency), so I believe that there is not much to do with the engine itself.
So the next thing is to look at the drive train. There is a company, Gear Vendors, that makes an Over/Under Drive that attaches to the rear of the tranny - basically doubling your gears. It'll set you back about $4k, but I think it would be a better investment than the Banks system.
Do you know what gearing you have? Gearing can make a huge difference. I'm guessing the you probably have the 4.30 rear - if so, going to 4.56 could help you out some. You could figure on about $1k to re-gear.
Like tomasinnv said, the v10 like to rev, that's where the power is. Last year we traveled up I77 in to Va and passed thru Fancy Gap, there are a lot of long 7% grade there. My v10 would rev at 4k+ in 2nd gear, but it kept up speed; in fact, it gained speed. I kept an eagle eye on the tranny temp - it peaked a few times, but only for a few minutes. I recently bought a ScanGauge II and believe it is a great investment for anyone that tows. It reads the OBD for different sensors and you can really learn a lot from it - including how to pick up a couple extra MPGs. I was a bit surprised to see that my v10 burns about 0.8 gals/hour just sitting idling.
I don't know if Ford was putting the 3V motor in it's MH chassis but if you have the 3V motor, the Banks Kit will not make much of a diference on that motor...
Now - - - if you have the 2V motor or a 1999 or earlier motor, then you'll see quite a bit of dofference in performance with the Banks System...
My truck is a 2000 motor which is the 310 Hp/425 lb ft motor... I installed the Banks kit with Transcommand and Ottomind and it has made a huge difference in performance on my truck... Running solo, it's like driving a hot rod - the truck is very spirited for a #6350 vehicle and towing the performance is quite noticable with more pulling power and the truck holding OD better...
If you can believe Banks figures, my motor should be around 370HP and very close to 500lb ft of torque... I tend to believe those figures by "seat of the pants" measurements - the Banks kit has made a noticable difference on my truck and even added a bit (not much) to gas mileage by maybe 1/2 to 1 MPG...
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
2006 Nomad 3150 Double Slide (Bunkhouse)
Hensley Arrow
Jordan Ultima 2020
In an 07 the V10 has all the improvements it can handle. Before 06 a Banks might have helped. If you want "More Power" - "Tool Man Tim" - It's time for a DP! JMHO! LOL!
Jerry, Dottie & Chan, "the little furry one"
98 Bounder 34V, 99 F-53 Ford V10 chassis
06 Saturn VUE 4I
4000 at 30 mph sounds like low gear. Set the cruise and enjoy the ride.
When you start losing speed in low gear then you are on a real hill.
Best upgrade is leave a little early, cost is zip and you arrive at the same time.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
At 4000 rpm it is just getting started. It is within 10% of maximum power from 4000 rpm to 5200 rpm. Climbing hills is when you need horsepower.
Mine will run 45-55 mph all day on 6% grades, 2nd gear (same as your 3rd). If I get caught behind someone and bogged down, it will drop into first (between your first and second) and accelerate to 45, even on a 6% grade.
To hold a speed much over 60 mph on that much grade, with the weight of your C, you would need 350 HP at the rear wheels. 70 mph, you need over 400 HP. No aftermarket add-on, short of 15" of boost from a supercharger, will get you to those power levels. A full Banks system might get you enough of a torque boost at low rpm that you might get another 5 mph in 4th, before it has to drop into 3rd to get into the power band. Once it gets into the power band, you might get 20% more power, enough to climb 5-8 mph faster, if you are willing to listen to it scream at 5500 rpm.
Your class C should have enough power to climb a 6% grade 20-30 mph faster than a 450 HP tractor pulling a 80,000 load. But it won't keep up with a 240 HP, 3000 pound sedan driven full throttle.
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