astro5
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Joined: 01/13/2005
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I am contemplating adding a Banks system to my 2004 Fleetwood Jamboree GT. It is on a Ford E 450 with V10 and 13,000 miles. I would like to hear from others who have added this system, wanting to know if is was worth the expense and what the power and mileage increase was ? Thanks, Curt
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Roadfrog
Chilliwack, BC Canada
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Joined: 04/27/2001
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While I've entertained the idea of doing this, the increased noise in an already noisy rig, puts me off when weighing the benefits. Just a caution, some of the claims Banks makes (especially with respect to mpg and accleration numbers) are ...well....generous. Put it this way, you;ll never recoop the $$$ for the cost of the system through improved fuel economy.
Cheers
Chris
1999 Winnebago Itasca Spirit 29N
1988 Campion Allante 195
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Jason Nipp
Illinois
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Joined: 03/01/2009
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I too have been entertaining the idea. But not for fuel savings which the Banks literature I have identifies as negligible.
Several of the guys here have said that it did help on hill climbing power which is what I want help with. I am running heavy and with my dinghy in tow, it is sometimes scary on the way up a large grade.
99 Itasca Spirit 31T
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hrgermany
granada hills ca usa
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Joined: 09/14/2004
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I have a Bank System in my 1995 Bornfree 26 FT RV.It came with the unit,it gives more power,but not better milage.It also has a Banks
Trans Command,that greatly inproves the shifting.
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Yes, it provides the power gains advertised. Maybe even more so. I actually feel their numbers may be a bit understated. I have the full PowerPack.
Now for electronics... Skip the Banks stuff. The transcommand is not an easy install, and for me still did not make shifts not firm enough. The Ottomind works, but not as well as the Diablop Predator, which also lets me firm up shift, and change shift points, and select fuel grades, and change rev limits and so on...
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 250,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW
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ghamblen
Wilder, ID
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Joined: 03/03/2006
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I had a Banks system installed on a previous class A coach with the 8.1L GM motor. There was a very noticeable increase in power but the mileage stayed the same. I suspect that was due to the increased power which I used to advantage when needed. Using the increased power probably did not help MPG.
Gary & Mary Hamblen
2006 Gulfstream Ultra LE 6316
2006 Saturn VUE
Roadmaster Sterling tow bar with US Gear Unified tow brake
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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1998 31' Minnie Winnie that we added the full Power Pak and while expensive it did help the mid range power. It performed better on hills and did not have the transmission downshifting out of OD at the mention of the word hill. Fuel economy did come up ever so slightly.
We had no issue with the exhaust noise. It did have slightly raspier tone, but not loud.
As for cost and is it worth it. It is up to you. If you plan to keep the rig fro a number o years and want better performance ...it is worth it then.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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kendall69
Palm Springs California
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Joined: 05/02/2004
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I put banks on everything I own, including headers on the Bigfoot Class C Ford V-10 it did a number of things.
It actually made the engine quieter because more air was leaving the engine a quicker released a lot of back pressure. It made the dog house above the engine cooler, again because exhaust was getting of better that with stock.
Engine response was better, fuel mileage I didn't keep track of ever because I never thought it made sense worrying about fuel mileage while driving an RV - sorta of a waste of time.
If your looking at the system strictly to save fuel I don't think the system is for you, but for over all performance and a cooler engine and better response then by all means.
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knparker
Vacaville,CA
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Joined: 07/29/2006
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IMO it was worth every penny. Installed the Powerpack with Ottomind. The power increase was very noticeable. Fuel mileage went up a bit but was negligible, best case probably 1 MPG, most times less. Significant decrease in engine heat being transmitted through the doghouse and noise due to the improved exhaust flow. If you spend all your time driving on flat terrain or don't pull a car it may not be worth it to you, for me... would never have something this size without it.
'05 Bigfoot 30MH24DB
'07 Subaru Forester toad
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Jason Nipp
Illinois
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Joined: 03/01/2009
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I scanned a couple pages out of the brochure for you guys. I did what I could to keep the size down but if I reduce it too much you won't be able to read it.
As you can see the fuel savings is very negligible.
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