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  So what did it do for Mr Dune's 1997 F350 Crew Cab 4x4 you ask!

   As we all know in the real world things can be a little different...

• Batteries may be required.

• You're actual results may vary.

• Some settling of contents may occur during shipping.

• Stunts are performed by professional drivers, on a closed course.

• Please don't try this at home.

• Prices are plus freight, tax, tag, title, set up, doc, less any manufacturers rebates, plus a little extra for the salesman.

• The check is in the mail.

   Well when Gale banks writes a check... Not only does it get delivered, it comes by Federal Express!

   My F350 is equipped with a 4" SuperLift, 35x12.50x16.5s and a 4.10:1 axle ratio. Unlike the truck that was tested so extensively above, which had the same gears, but sported those sickly cookie cutter tires that come from the factory.

   Now we all know that big meats look better, and work better off road. Why you can't go five feet into soft sand with a P285/75R16, four wheel drive or no. But the disadvantage of big shoes is they rob power and decrease fuel economy, ride so bad you need a sports bra and a kidney belt on Interstate 10, and they make a ton of noise...

   But they sure do look great!

   How'd my rig do on the dyno? Much better than I expected!

   The overall diameter of a 35" tire is about 10% greater than a stocker, which should pencil out to a little more than a 10% lower reading on the dyno's rollers, caused by parasitic horsepower loss, PLUS reduced torque due to an overall lower final drive ratio (about what you would have with 3.73:1 factory gears). 

   Baseline tests on my truck before the modifications came in about 10-12% lower than the 175-185 hp and the 375-390 lb-ft mark that every one of the dozens of stock Power Strokes that has been tested here at Banks Engineering. That backs up the estimated loss in power caused by the 35" tires.

   Strapped down on the dyno, the blower to simulate a 60+ mph in position, the motor warmed up to about 600° EGT (Exhaust Gas Temp). Peter Treydte, Banks Ace Engineer and Rocket Scientist let it rip!

   The test started at 35 mph and ran thru 75 mph. The transmission was in third gear and the computer was shunted to allow the torque converter to be manually locked up to prevent parasitic horsepower loss. Pictured on the right are the actual dyno slips from the run. The test results were amazing. even with the big 35" tires my F350 pulled 280.8 hp and 563.6 lb-ft of torque on the best run, the lowest was 278.9 hp and 555.6 lb-ft . That's 95% of the hp and 94% of the torque produced with stock tires! Much better than we had expected! Much less than the 10-12% lower readings we had anticipated.

   I just stood there with my mouth open... In a day when we are accustomed to have the numbers "fudged," here's a product that really delivers as promised! Perhaps even better when you consider that Banks promises an increase in fuel economy of about 10%. I've gotten 20%. I've gotta say I'm impressed. And I can't wait to get my 40ft Weekend Warrior Fifth Wheel hooked up to see what this system will do with a 15,500lb trailer in tow. I'm thinking about 70mph up the Baker Grade!

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Dynamometer Testing Facility at Banks Engineering: Getting it set up and checking the numbers.

Click images to enlarge!

Adjusting the blower height to match the grill of my lifted F350.	The blower provides airflow of approx. 60 mph so that engine temperatures are as close to real world conditions as possible.	Strapped down and ready to rumble!
This switch block Peter is holding is temporarily spliced into the computer, and allows the engineers to manually lock up the torque converter in 3rd gear.	The computer must be removed for test equipment such as the trans control switches and the computer pin tester to be installed.	This box which looks almost like an antique telephone switch board, is basically just that. It allows the engineer access to every pin on the computer harness to enable finite testing of every computer function.

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Dynamometer Test Results From Mr Dune's F350:

Click images to enlarge! 

License Plate : MR DUNE Yr/Make/Model : 1997 / Ford / F-350

 

License Plate : MR DUNE Yr/Make/Model : 1997 / Ford / F-350 --- Test Data --- Horsepower: Increase at peak 63.3% Best gain 80.4% WOW!
RPM	PowerPack	Stock	Gain	% Gain
1400	98.5	76.2	22.3	29.3
1500	114.0	87.5	26.5	30.3
1600	128.0	96.3	31.7	32.9
1700	145.0	103.4	41.6	40.2
1800	162.3	113.7	48.6	42.7
1900	181.3	120.2	61.1	50.8
2000	198.2	126.2	72.0	57.0
2100	216.4	131.6	84.8	64.4
2200	233.2	137.0	96.2	70.2
2300	246.8	142.7	104.1	73.0
2400	256.7	148.9	107.8	72.4
2500	264.5	151.2	113.3	74.9
2600	272.2	155	117.2	75.6
2700	274.9	159.8	115.1	72.0
2800	275.8	162.3	113.5	69.9
2900	276.9	164.9	112.0	67.9
3000	278.9	170.8	108.1	63.3
3100	278.9	166.0	112.9	68.0
3200	276.6	156.0	120.6	77.3
3300	258.4	143.2	115.2	80.4
Torque: Increase at peak 58.9% Best gain 80.4% WOW!
RPM	PowerPack	Stock	Gain	% Gain
1400	369.5	285.9	83.7	29.3
1500	399.2	306.4	92.8	30.3
1600	420.2	316.1	104.1	32.9
1700	448.0	319.4	128.5	40.2
1800	473.6	331.8	141.8	42.7
1900	501.2	332.3	168.9	50.8
2000	520.4	331.4	189.0	57.0
2100	541.2	329.1	212.1	64.4
2200	556.7	327.1	229.7	70.2
2300	563.6	325.9	237.7	73.0
2400	561.7	325.8	235.9	72.4
2500	555.6	317.6	238.0	74.9
2600	549.8	313.1	236.7	75.6
2700	534.7	310.8	223.9	72.0
2800	517.3	304.4	212.9	69.9
2900	501.5	298.6	202.8	67.9
3000	488.3	299.0	189.2	63.3
3100	472.5	281.2	191.3	68.0
3200	454.0	256.0	197.9	77.3
3300	411.2	227.9	183.3	80.4

    You can see from the above rpm breakdown that the increases are not only huge, but across the ENTIRE powerband! It pulls stronger earlier and pulls stronger longer. Unlike many performance upgrades which can sacrifice low end for high rpm performance gains, or vice-versa. The PowerPack System delivers enormous increases right from idle all the way to an unbelievable 80.4% increase in horsepower and torque at redline!

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   From the screen shots below you can see for yourself what this system will do for you! Horsepower and torque curves are almost flat within the entire range of normal driving from 50 to 75 mph.

Screen Shots During Testing
Click images to enlarge!

50.3 mph 234.6 hp 513.4 lb-ft	55.4 mph 261.4 hp 518.6 lb-ft	60.0 mph 274.9 hp 509.9 lb-ft
65.6 mph 273.2 hp 463.0 lb-ft	70.4 mph 278.7 hp 440.9 lb-ft	75.2 mph 273.2 hp 406.0 lb-ft

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What Comes In The Banks PowerPack System:

   The system is shipped complete and ready to install (provided you have the proper tools and know-how).

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What you get for your hard earned dough:

• Low restriction  Banks "Ram-Air Filter," complete with a "Recharger" filter cleaning/oiling kit.

• A new turbo outlet pipe which replaces the stock smashed flat piece of junk  (pictured right) with a 3" mandrel bent stainless steel piece.

• 3.5" Monster stainless steel mandrel bent tailpipe with 4" polished stainless tip.

• Banks exclusive "Otto-mind" electronic module, which provide calibration to make it all work.

• Boost gauge to monitor turbo output.

• EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) gauge to keep an eye on engine heat more accurately than with a coolant temp gauge.

• Banks "Quick-Turbo" turbine housing. Which spools up more quickly than the factory unit.

• Banks Techni-cooler. The intercooler dramatically lowers the temperature of the intake creating a much more dense charge.

• Banks exclusive "Trans-Command."(Automatic transmission only.) Which changes shift points and firmness to get not only the most from your performance increase, but increases trans life as well.

• All required hardware and detailed installation instructions.

• Really slick fender badges (pictured right) so the slowpokes you pass on those 7% grades know who smoked 'em!

Click images to enlarge.

Banks Quick-Turbo turbine housing is designed to improve throttle response time  and decrease turbo lag by accelerating the turbine blades. Included in Stinger, StingerPlus and PowerPack Systems is the "Otto-Mind" electronic module to maximize engine performance and fuel economy.

Stinger, StingerPlus and PowerPack Systems include Banks' revolutionary "Trans-Command" electronic shift control module when the application is for a vehicle with an E4OD automatic transmission. The Trans-Command firms upshifts and improves towing performance. Stinger, StingerPlus and Powerpack Systems also include a turbo boost gauge (left) and EGT gauge (right). I'd suggest the optional pillar mount which puts the gauges at eye level and looks ultra trick!

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   Besides their top of the line PowerPack System, Banks Engineering offers its Stinger and Stinger-Plus Systems for those that may not require as much power or are working on a tighter budget. We've included the test results below so you can get an idea of which system may be right for your needs. For pricing and availability please contact a sales and technical professional at Banks Engineering. You'll find their contact info below. Click images to enlarge.

Peak Horsepower Stinger 240 hp Stinger-Plus 272 hp PowerPack 296 hp

Peak Torque Stinger 465 lb-ft Stinger-Plus 540 lb-ft PowerPack 613 lb-ft

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Conclusions:

   No product is perfect... But this one comes so close that its only flaw is trivial and an easy fix. The only problem I have found is the turbo boost gauge. As you approach 20 pounds of boost, the needle vibrates wildly. Banks Engineer Peter Treydte informed me that it may have an incorrect bleed orifice on the sender, and is shipping me the proper one. Certainly not a big deal to correct!

   The only other thing worth mention is you will experience a slight increase in interior noise level. SO WHAT! Anytime you switch to a high performance exhaust system, this is part of the trade off. The noise increase is minimal and only noticeable at low speed or hard acceleration...  Nothing turning up the tunes a notch or two won't take care of. Personally I like it, sounds bad to the bone!

   This product delivers in a big way. The performance improvements score off the chart . And my initial satisfaction is 110%! Gale Banks promises amazing results and he comes through on that promise. Everything fits, and all required parts to complete the job were included in the shipping cartons. Construction, fit, finish and attention to detail are of flawless quality. I would recommend this product without reservation to my Mom, my highest rating! Five stars!

   Excellent job guys! You have a winner!

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   Now that you know you gotta have a Banks System for your own rig, be sure to stay tuned for next month's installment...

  When we show you how to get it done and run a full photo essay following Banks Engineering's ace technician "Bart" Bartoli through the whole installation process on my '97 Power Stroke diesel equipped  Ford F350 Crew Cab 4x4!

  There will be well over 100 detailed color photos so you can see not only what gets done, but how do do it yourself!

Back to Page One

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Back to Part One June 2000, Click Here!

Click Here! For Part Three, Installation

Until then for more information on getting some Banks Power for your own vehicle,
Be it a Chevy, Dodge, Ford pickup or a gas or diesel motorhome...

CLICK HERE!
www.bankspower.com

Gale Banks Engineering
546 Duggan Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702

1-800-GET-POWER
1-800-438-7693

 

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Mr Dune's Table of Contents