Community Forums

ARFFMAN · 10-17-2014, 04:27 PM

I have a 1994 Newmar Kountry Aire with a Ford F53 chassis powered by a 460 V8.
I did a lot of research on all the exhaust system available on the market and was impressed with the Banks system with Torque Tubes. I also purchased the Transcommand for the transmission. I am in the finally stage of installing both systems. If you have installed the system(s) on your MH, can you share your stories with these upgrades, and the before and after performance experiences.
I also was wondering about the large pipes and flow though mufflers, about having very little or no back pressure. Has any one had a problem with back fire on deceleration and if so did you do anything about backfire

Smitty77 · 10-17-2014, 04:46 PM

Can't help you with info on that specific Banks package. But I will share that the owner we bought our previous coach (Bounder T28, 1998 on a 1999 F53 V10 Chassis) had the full Banks treatment installed. Really helped the breathing of the somewhat strangled 2 Valve 275HP V10's. We had no power problems whatsoever with the Banks on. The Transcommand helps with a bit crisper shifting, which lowers heat, which lowers wear on the transmission. Even so, the weak link of he F53 drivetrain (I believe for your year also.) were the Torque Converter on the automatics. Once they go, replace them with a good aftermarket or Ford Heavy Duty Torque Converter and you're good to go for the long distance of years and miles ahead. I'm also a fan of changing over to Transyn, and paying the extra to have them pump the torque converter out too.

We had a friend with a 97 Rexhall with the F53 and 460 combo. He had put on Doug Thorley headers, and the Banks Transcommand. Had lots of power, but was always seeming to hunt back and forth between 3rd and 2nd on long grades. He bought a used Gear Vendors, and found that by splitting the gears as the he climbed the hill, it took much longer for it to drop down out of 3rd gear. He found the Gear Vendor split between 2nd and 3rd was able to be held and the trans very seldom dropped all the way to 2nd.

Might look for a used GV deal too, as it would complement the Banks.

Best of luck, and have fun,
Smitty

Mr_D · 10-17-2014, 04:50 PM

We had one installed on a '98 35' Santara. Made a big difference in cruising but no real effect on mileage.

House Husband · 10-17-2014, 05:48 PM

I have 95 F53/460 that I installed Banks Power Pack on in 2003. The performance improvements are impressive.
No back firing in the exhaust under deceleration unless I turn off the Idle Air Control for better engine braking. It WILL get your attention when it goes boom!

Richard

ARFFMAN · 10-17-2014, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

Can't help you with info on that specific Banks package. But I will share that the owner we bought our previous coach (Bounder T28, 1998 on a 1999 F53 V10 Chassis) had the full Banks treatment installed. Really helped the breathing of the somewhat strangled 2 Valve 275HP V10's. We had no power problems whatsoever with the Banks on. The Transcommand helps with a bit crisper shifting, which lowers heat, which lowers wear on the transmission. Even so, the weak link of he F53 drivetrain (I believe for your year also.) were the Torque Converter on the automatics. Once they go, replace them with a good aftermarket or Ford Heavy Duty Torque Converter and you're good to go for the long distance of years and miles ahead. I'm also a fan of changing over to Transyn, and paying the extra to have them pump the torque converter out too.

We had a friend with a 97 Rexhall with the F53 and 460 combo. He had put on Doug Thorley headers, and the Banks Transcommand. Had lots of power, but was always seeming to hunt back and forth between 3rd and 2nd on long grades. He bought a used Gear Vendors, and found that by splitting the gears as the he climbed the hill, it took much longer for it to drop down out of 3rd gear. He found the Gear Vendor split between 2nd and 3rd was able to be held and the trans very seldom dropped all the way to 2nd.

Might look for a used GV deal too, as it would complement the Banks.

Best of luck, and have fun,
Smitty

What's a GV?

Smitty77 · 10-17-2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARFFMAN

What's a GV?

! Gear Vendors. It effectively allows a 'split gear' between 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

https://www.gearvendors.com/

Really a nice product for 3 and 4 spd automatics, not so much with 5 and 6 speeds...

Best,
Smitty

Mr_D · 10-17-2014, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

! Gear Vendors. It effectively allows a 'split gear' between 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

https://www.gearvendors.com/

Really a nice product for 3 and 4 spd automatics, not so much with 5 and 6 speeds...

Best,
Smitty

We put one in a '88 Okanagan 17' MH. It had the 460 and trailer towing package and only weighed 8,800#'s. Never got much over 9 mpg but the lower rpm at cruise made it much nicer to drive at highway speeds.

ARFFMAN · 10-18-2014, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLS7201

I have 95 F53/460 that I installed Banks Power Pack on in 2003. The performance improvements are impressive.
No back firing in the exhaust under deceleration unless I turn off the Idle Air Control for better engine braking. It WILL get your attention when it goes boom!

Richard

When you say that you turn off the idle air control for better braking, how do you turn off the air control?

Virago-Rider · 10-18-2014, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We put one in a '88 Okanagan 17' MH. It had the 460 and trailer towing package and only weighed 8,800#'s. Never got much over 9 mpg but the lower rpm at cruise made it much nicer to drive at highway speeds.

Lowering the highway RPMs does not increase the fuel mileage?

🚌🚍🚌
1998 Thor Windsport 33SL on 1997 F53 chassis.
2007 Chevy Uplander TOAD.
1985 Yamaha Virago XV700

Sent from my iPad2 using iRV2 - RV Forum

House Husband · 10-19-2014, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARFFMAN

When you say that you turn off the idle air control for better braking, how do you turn off the air control?

I cut into one of the wires going to the IAC and then run a pair of wires to a switch on the dash. When descending a step grade, it sometimes allows me to stay in 3rd rather than selecting 2nd.

Richard

Thor3650 · 10-21-2014, 09:58 AM

Earlier this year I added the full Banks kit (cold air intake/filter, headers, exhaust) and Transcommander to my 97' MH with the 460. The Banks product is very high quality and fit perfectly. It was good I changed this because the stock exhaust manifolds had several big cracks on the inside that would have potentially melted the plug wires if they cracked all the way through. As for the Banks and Transcommander, it greatly improved the power of the 460. On some hills that I had to run in 3rd, the MH now can take in 4th. Plus, the MH has alot more power off the line and when pulling my Jeep. As for gas mileage, I haven't really seen any improvement. But, I also didn't see a drop and for me, the extra power the kit provides is well worth it.

ARFFMAN · 10-21-2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor3650

Earlier this year I added the full Banks kit (cold air intake/filter, headers, exhaust) and Transcommander to my 97' MH with the 460. The Banks product is very high quality and fit perfectly. It was good I changed this because the stock exhaust manifolds had several big cracks on the inside that would have potentially melted the plug wires if they cracked all the way through. As for the Banks and Transcommander, it greatly improved the power of the 460. On some hills that I had to run in 3rd, the MH now can take in 4th. Plus, the MH has alot more power off the line and when pulling my Jeep. As for gas mileage, I haven't really seen any improvement. But, I also didn't see a drop and for me, the extra power the kit provides is well worth it.

Did the Transcommand make for a improvement?

BigBlockTank · 10-29-2014, 10:31 AM

We bought a 2003 Flair, with a F53 chassis, and V-10. I was not at all impressed with the performance. I am a long time drag racer, but can keep things separate. But this was unacceptable.

I went on the hunt for the kit I needed, and found it for $1800 (about) delivered. I installed it on 2 different weekends. I kept reading about a "chip", so I called Banks. They wanted a copy of my invoice, and my VIN. I faxed it to them, and got the ECU chip from FedEx in a few days.

The next morning, we went to the Sand Sport Super Show in Costa Mesa, CA, from Tucson. It pulled much better, and didn't seem to downshift quite so easy, due to the increase in power. I was very happy with every single penny I had to spend to get it.

As far as mileage, I could tell ya. I didn't check before and don't check now. I know it's not going to be 20MPG, so I don't really care

, I can't do anything about it, so I live with it.

If you haven't done it, the best thing I could say is, I'd do it again, 3 times knowing what I know now.

Tank

rlyons · 10-29-2014, 09:57 PM

I installed the complete Banks system and the trans commander on my 98 Itasca with the 460 two years ago. It has much more power, engine runs cooler and the transmission shifts firmer. My transmission temps dropped also. No mileage improvement but was well worth the money for the power alone. I always run at or above my max GVW and pull a Honda CRV.