Community Forums

Marcy · 08-22-2006, 02:19 AM

We just bought a 2006 Mountain Aire, Gas, model 3743, with the Workhorse W-24 chasis. It seems to have less power and less gas mileage then our old 2001 Bounder. Has anyone added a Banks System to their Newmar gas rig? Does it make enough difference to bother with it? Any problems caused by adding it?

Marcy

Marcy · 08-22-2006, 02:19 AM

We just bought a 2006 Mountain Aire, Gas, model 3743, with the Workhorse W-24 chasis. It seems to have less power and less gas mileage then our old 2001 Bounder. Has anyone added a Banks System to their Newmar gas rig? Does it make enough difference to bother with it? Any problems caused by adding it?

Marcy

Bob (WA0MQE) · 08-22-2006, 04:00 AM

You might want to go over to the Workhorse Custom Chassis Motorhome Forum here on iRv2 and check out the subject regarding upgrading your engine programming. The following link Ultrapower evaluation

gives a lot of good information on what can be done with the 8.1 engine in the W-series chassis' likewise the Banks system can help but the Ultrapower is much less money.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-22-2006, 09:42 AM

You have a much heavier rig now, as witnessed by the need for the W24 chassis. It's no wonder that your mileage has decreased in comparison to the previous rig.

Neither Banks nor the Ultrapower is going to do much, if anything, to help on fuel economy. Might get you more reserve power, though. Banks upgardes used to help fuel economy on 80's and early 90's vintage engines, but modern gas rigs pretty much squeeze out all the mpg theycan already. Should have got a diesel for that weight of rig if fuel economy was a major concern.

Novi · 08-23-2006, 03:09 PM

Hi, with regards to MPG I can't say I saw great improvement, more power for sure. I did read where one fellow's concern about putting a banks on the vortec 8.1 engine was that it might over torque the transmission under certain conditions. I don't know much about this stuff compared to some fellows on this site, but that is what I read.

skipsor · 08-24-2006, 11:25 AM

We have a 32' Brave on a W20 and have added the Banks exhaust and the Ultrapower upgrade.

You won't notice any increase in MPG with the Banks but you will have extra power going up hills.

With the Ultrapower we have noticed about a 1.3 increase in the MPG plus more power. It's really noticeable when you are pulling a hill. The transmission will stay in a higher gear for a longer period of time which would indicate the engine isn't working as hard.

As someone else recommended, go to the Workhorse Owners forum and see the Ultrapower thread. There are close to 800 responses, some good, some stupid and the rest are in between. Read them and make up your own mind.

Marcy · 08-24-2006, 02:48 PM

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. We are going to the Newmar International Rally, in Sept., so will see what they have to say or suggest. Happy traveling to all of you.

Marcy

"007" · 08-24-2006, 05:16 PM

Marcy, have had Banks systems on the Fords I use to own now have a W-22 Newmar KS. Was concerned about mileage on my KS as I was getting in the 6's most trips made. The ULTRAPOWER thread was of great interest to me when it first was started and convinced me to get my ECM reprogramed in Tenn at this years rally.
Going down before upgrade I was getting my 6.1 & 6.7 mileage that I always got. After the program mileage has changed 9.1,8.7,7.9. It has made an improvement of at lease 2 mpg. Has allowed Trans to shift alot less and thats with driving in CC most of the time. Brazels, Mike, can give you the info you may need plus it will cost you less than the Banks sys.
I liked the Banks sys on the Fords but they never gave you the mileage your looking for now with your Newmar MA.
One other thing have your coach weight and keep the weight as low as you can it helps with your ride and tire inflation.
As a Newmar owner you can become a Newmar forum member and not just a junior member, I will input for you if you like.

Paulin · 08-24-2006, 05:44 PM

We added the full Banks exhaust system to our 2003 W20 Workhorse chassis and it indeed made quite a difference in power, especailly in the hills. We are also considering Ultrapower .