Banks PowerPack System - Worth it?

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by djbmsu

Your biggest inprovement will come from the Exhaust. Many local exhaust facilities can create you a much better system for half the cost of the Banks

The Banks system is tuned to work together and just buying parts and trying to get it working right can be expensive.
There was a thread some time about about someone that tried, ended up having to try two or three different mufflers to get it quieted down and running well.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by ISM500

Finally the idea of ANYTHING relating to RVing being "financially" an "investment" is laughable at best.

Yep!! I WANT a new motorhome, but nothing wrong with what we have!

[Gary RVRoamer]

I had the full Banks package on a 1996 Ford 460 motorhome and the performance benefit was decent, though maybe not worth the cost. MPG gains were non-existent.

On your 2006 vintage 8.1L, you probably won't notice much performance benefit unless you consistently run above 2800 RPMs, cause that's where the Banks kit for the 8.1L produces its benefits. Take a look at the options and the test data for the 8.1L on Banks website & brochure - see http://assets.bankspower.com.s3.amaz...81L/index.html

The Banks kits produced much greater improvements on older engines, but modern power plants have been much better designed and tuned to meet EPA/CAFE requirements while still producing decent performance. There isn't a lot left to gain.

The bottom line is that there are benefits, but the price is steep. Whether they are worth the price is subjective, but in my opinion $3000 [plus labor] is a lot of bucks for a feel good improvement to an occasional use vehicle.

[Tetonchief]

Worth or value is in the mind of the person spending the money--it may apply to the meaning of investment or not. I put a lot of bucks into my Harley changing the exhaust, air intake, and remapping the fuel injection. Made it loud as all get out, but improved performance and mpg. There are very few vehicles (car, truck, etc) that come directly from the factory that are actually set up for their best performance--it just isn't cost effective for them to sell to the public. they set them up and tune them for the typical purchaser. Something that cost you $3000 to do after market might only cost $1000 to the bottom line if the manufacture did that to all the vehicle, but the typical doesn't want to pay it. Again, it is an individual decision if it is worth it or not. That is why in this country we have choices in everything we buy, clothing, food, cars, etc. Is economy plus seating on the airplane worth it on a 2 hour flight? Yes? No? It depends. If you are 6' 6" it probably is. If you are 5' 8" and 120 pounds I don't think you'd see the difference.

[Red Dawg]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I had the full Banks package on a 1996 Ford 460 motorhome and the performance benefit was decent, though maybe not worth the cost. MPG gains were non-existent.

On your 2006 vintage 8.1L, you probably won't notice much performance benefit unless you consistently run above 2800 RPMs, cause that's where the Banks kit for the 8.1L produces its benefits. Take a look at the options and the test data for the 8.1L on Banks website & brochure - see http://assets.bankspower.com.s3.amaz...81L/index.html

The Banks kits produced much greater improvements on older engines, but modern power plants have been much better designed and tuned to meet EPA/CAFE requirements while still producing decent performance. There isn't a lot left to gain.

The bottom line is that there are benefits, but the price is steep. Whether they are worth the price is subjective, but in my opinion $3000 [plus labor] is a lot of bucks for a feel good improvement to an occasional use vehicle.

Pretty much the explanation I was looking for. Thx.