Posted 2005-07-11 2:32 PM (#27914) Subject: Old Diesel Pwr
Member
Posts: 30 Location: Summerville, SC
I posted a question on this board before about more pulling pwr for an older Ford F350 before the powerstroke models were made. I was given many links and am seriuosly considering a kit from Banks Power. I posted the link to thier web site. It is suppose to increase HP by 48% and 6% hill climb speeds by 53%. It cost $2,000. Thats a lot of money. Has anyone had any personal experience with a similiar upgrade? http://www.bankspower.com/test_results_AF04.cfm
Posted 2005-07-11 3:36 PM (#27918 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
If it seems too good to be true . . .
My opinion would be that if products like this really increased your power, etc. by 50% then Wal-Mart would sell them. Save your $2,000 towards your next truck purchase. Seriously I do know that computer chip makers, etc. have products out that increase performance, etc. But I think that people who purchase those specific products are wanting performance, speed, hp, etc. and don't care about the cost vs. benefit of the product. I am guilty of the same thing in some equine related purchases. . .
Posted 2005-07-11 4:04 PM (#27922 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
A good place to ask this question would be here: http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbthreads/
Scroll down to the 7.3 IDI or the 6.9 forums, which ever you have and these guys will have an answer for you.
Me personally, would not spend the money on the Banks systems. My opinion is that they are over rated and over priced.
Posted 2005-07-11 4:10 PM (#27923 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Member
Posts: 12
Location: Anchorage, AK
Here's my 2 cents, take it or leave it.
Banks is a big name, so they're not out to completely screw you. I don't doubt you will see an increase in hp and torque, but not nearly what they claim. I wouldn't trust it very much. Look at their numbers for fuel mileage with an empty truck...before the turbo over 22 mpg and over 24 mpg with the turbo. I used to own a very similar truck to their test truck, and I got 12 mpg empty. The best I ever saw empty was 15, and that was with a substantial tail wind. I highly doubt you'll double your power. All these manufacturer's grossly exagerate performane and mileage increases over what you see in the "real-world"
Posted 2005-07-11 4:32 PM (#27925 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Stockport, Iowa
Banks has been around for a long time, and in my opinion, is the best in the business. The Sidewinder Turbo is a pretty basic concept, the more air you can get into your motor, the more power you will make. I have a Banks Git Kit on my 97 F250HD, the power increase was unbelieveable. I didn't notice any gain in mpg, but it wasn't advertised to improve it either.
Posted 2005-07-11 6:06 PM (#27931 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
I had a full Bank's system on my 1997 PSD 7.3L, and it was awesome. I got 22 mpg empty and about 15mpg with 13,000# behind it. And that was an F350 Crew cab long bed 4x4. My present truck, 1999 Superduty with 7.3L PSD stock gets about 14 in the city and 17mpg rural/town driving between 55-70mph. My dad on the other hand had a 99 4x2 extended cab w/ 6 speed manual (I'm sure this helps) with a full banks kit and got 25mpg empty and 16mpg pulling a 38ft Presidential fiver with two slide outs to Florida every year for the last 5 years. The truck will run down to 30 mph in 3rd gear without any jumpiness or hesitation and accelerates smoothe as can be. And man is it fast. Their products do work, but they are expensive. Also remember, independent magazines, not Bank's performed the tests.
Posted 2005-07-12 9:04 AM (#27949 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Member
Posts: 30 Location: Summerville, SC
Thank you all for your input. It sounds like Banks is a repritable name and installing thier kit would help my under powered F350, just mabey not as much as Banks claims. Someone brought up a good point though. My truck is 11 years old. While it is in excellent condition, I could probably sell it, add the $2,000 I would have spent on the kit, and buy a newer F350 dually with the power stroke. Then I should have the power I need with a factory setup. Anyone have experience pulling 4 horse / 6ft short wall, gooseneck, fully loaded in small mountains with a Ford power stroke diesel? Will it maintain at least 65 uphill? My old IDE 7.3 will only due 50 uphill under full load. I hate that.
Posted 2005-07-12 9:21 AM (#27953 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
No offense, but if your truck is a 1993 lets say, with the 7.3 non-turbo, and an extended cab 4x2 dually Kelly Blue Book calls your value at $5990 in excellent condition. Figure your going to go up to say an identical 1995 with the 7.3L PSD. That truck books for $12900. So if you got the max book value out of yours and added $2k to it you still come up short. The 1995 to 1997 Ford PSD is the most sought after used truck on the market today, and they bring a premium price. 4x4 Crew Cabs in good shape with 100,000 miles will bring $19-21,000 dollars, in the midwest at least.
Posted 2005-07-12 10:02 AM (#27955 - in reply to #27953) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Member
Posts: 30 Location: Summerville, SC
I ran the numbers for my 1994 on KBB. $5,800 for my zip. Ran numbers on exact truck/options/condition but a 1996 with powerstroke. Came up with $9,800 for my zip. You are right. Still $2,000 short and that is only if I could find exact truck. Mabey I should reconsider the banks options. I know my truck well and it has 0 problems (other than under powered for pulling up hills)..if I buy a newer used truck, what troubles will I encounter that I did not see before buying. Thanks for the input
Posted 2005-07-12 10:19 AM (#27958 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
I've bought several used trucks, but always went into figuring I was buying someone elses problems. If you know and love your truck, and it's tip top, keeping it might be the best way to go. Good luck with whatever you decide to do on it.
Posted 2005-07-16 4:12 PM (#28140 - in reply to #27914) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Location: N. Texas
Something else to consider is the mileage and wear on your present engine. That is, will the Banks create so much your power, your engine may require an overhaul.
Posted 2005-07-18 1:11 PM (#28193 - in reply to #27955) Subject: RE: Old Diesel Pwr
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Palmdale, CA
Is $2k worth the ability to pull up a hill faster than 50MPH? My experiecne has been that while pulling up a long grade, it's not my power that slows me down, it's traffic. Sure I can pull up just about any grade with my current trailer at 65-75mph stock...when nobody is in my way. But the reality is I share the road with other drivers. And as long as I am confined to the two right lanes on any serious grade, I can count on getting stuck behind someone plugging along at 45mph in the passing lane.
Old Diesel Pwr
Thats a lot of money. Has anyone had any personal experience with a similiar upgrade? 
