Community Forums

mcaimh · 05-13-2012, 05:20 PM

I hear all kinds of reports on the advisability of putting Banks intake/exhaust systems on a ford v10 in a motorhome. I'm wondering who out there actually as objective evidence of the change from before to after installing the Banks system as far as power improvement and gas mileage improvement. Also the difference in towing a toad.

Please let me know your results. Thanks Mark

TXiceman · 05-13-2012, 05:29 PM

We put the Banks kit on a 1999 V-10 Minnie Winnie 31A. I could not really te,, much difference in taking off, but the RV had better midrange pulling power and pulled hills better in OD. OD held longer before it dropped to 3rd gear.

Since we was not dropping into 3rd so often, the gas mileage did come up just a bit.

Will the fuel increase pay fro the Banks....Maybe in about 30 years. But it does make driving more enjoyable.

If you plan to sell the coach in a few years, I would just keep it the way it is. If you plan to keep the coach for say 10 years or more, it might be worth it for drive-ability.

Ken

cb1000rider · 05-13-2012, 06:41 PM

Before you buy anything for any motor as a power-added, look for dyno results. Dyno results are the only objective way to tell if those modifications make a difference.

Outside of that, do you *need* the additional power? Are you towing? Are you at high elevations? I've owned two motorhomes - a 2002 GulfStream V10 and now a 1999 Holiday Rambler V10 (with the banks + shift kit).

Honestly, I'm in TX and didn't drive either enough to know the difference. The 1999 that I have now will drop to 45 mph in the hill country. The kit is essentially full long tube headers with exhaust. I buy a 15% power gain, which is about what Banks says (per dyno).

MPG? Spend it on gas because you wont get it back. The only way to really pull more mpg is via more volumetric efficiency. The kit helps, but it's not going to pay back in my lifetime at $2k.

Wizard · 05-13-2012, 08:27 PM

On your 2011 V-10, probably not worth it, Ford has upgraded the V-10 twice and it putting out about all that it can. Older V-10's can see a lot of improvement.

demoon · 05-14-2012, 05:45 PM

Been there, done that, would never do it again.

Alleyman · 05-14-2012, 06:10 PM

Don't have a Ford V10, but put the Banks system on our 8.1 Workhorse, 36 ft. Dolphin. Not sorry a bit. Much improved mid range power and pulling a 4400 # toad. Mileage increase??? No, wamnted more power. Hard to get both. Pay for itself??, no, just another convenience like all the rest of the RV stuff. Good luck.

mcaimh · 05-18-2012, 10:19 AM

thanx for the input. So far everything I hear and read leans toward don't do it. Mark

rvbunz · 10-15-2012, 09:44 AM

I installed a Banks with the computer control on my 2003 Damon Challenger. I can tell you without a doubt that it has increased my power. Before installing and towing an extended cab P/U I could only manage 25 MPH up steep inclines with the pedal to the metal, now I can average 50 MPH without the pedal to the floor. Fuel mileage wasn't increased much. I average between 7/8 MPG. I understand the newer V10's really don't need the banks because they have more horspower, but it may not hurt. The investment is in the 3k range,

Bob
2003 Damon Challenger