Just had a complete Banks Power Pack system installed on my '05 x (40k miles). Included intake, headers, y-pipe, cat-back, TransCommand and OttoMind.
My issue is that in spite of Banks purported power increase, I've noticed no change either unloaded or while towing a 7500lb trailer. Same 0-60 time both ways. Spent some extra money and had a full injector cleaning, new fuel filter and a full diagnostic which showed no issues. Runs great, drives great -- but for the money and the testing Banks does, you'd expect to see "something" in terms of power improvement.
Anybody had a similar experience -- or anybody have any suggestions? Banks says its "very unusual" to not notice a power increase just by driving it.
The V10 with 4.30's is the single BEST bang for the buck performance upgrade one can do.
It puts the RPMs smack dab into the sweet spot power band for the V10...
I've recently upgraded my Ex to 4.30's...the difference towing my 9000# travel trailer is incredible...I can tow in OD for most all overpass inclines and even steeper inclines.
Downshift to 3rd and now watchout...
Gearing IMO is the key to this monster motor...and IMO the 4.30's are the cats meow when it comes to matching the power band. I don't drive very fast (65 mph MAX)...in order to raise my RPMs up enough with my old 3.73's...I'd have to drive way faster than I am comfortable with.
I know you just spent a bunch on the banks...and I fully AGREE...you should have measurable / noticable performance improvements...I'd be upset too...sorry...I was just curious as to your gears as I found the 4.30's made a good improvement i.e. towing.
joe.
__________________ 2005 Ex V10 4.30's
Hensley Arrow / Rear Hellwig / Prodigy Brake Controller / RAS / Bilsteins / K&N drop in / SCT-X3 Tuner with 5-Star Tunes / Aeroforce Tech OBDII Digital Gauge / Hawk LTS Pads 2007 JayFlight 31BHDS (2 slides 3 women just right! ) 3rd Annual Excursion Diversion / Ford Rally 2010 here: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/88...ml#post7941270
Many guys with the 3V V10 have done things to try and improve the performance only to find out that you are basically just wasting your money. The 3V are pretty damn good the way they are from Ford. The biggest difference you would see would be to change from 3.73's to 4.30's. I don't know if the Bank's system would improve fuel economy, but i doubt it.
__________________ 2006 F150 Scab XLT Darkstone, 5.4l, 3.73 LS 1955 Ford Country Sedan Wagon 6-pass 301"y-block C4 Manual Valvebody 1958 Chevy Impala 348 "W" block, TH350 1964 Ranchero 170", Fordomatic
Man I'd be upset. I know Banks doesn't make anything cheap either. From what I've seen on TV, Gale Banks has quite the ego. I'd write a letter or phone in your dis-pleasure with the products. Maybe they'll do something to make it right. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Then as Joe said, get some 4.30's
Every now and again it'd be nice for something to do as advertised. I'd seen on the show "Trucks" that the Banks system totally woke of the Ford 5.4. You'd think they had the Ford mod motors figured out.
Did you replace your own gears or have it done? I ordered a set of 4:30's this afternoon for the front and back and have been calling around my area to find someone to put them in with no luck...except the local Ford dealer who wants $1500 just for labor. maybe that is the going rate, but...WOW!
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It is as though I have slain a thousand Philistine’s with the jawbone of an ass, and had my eyes plucked out in vengeful retribution. –JoeCartoon
Not a bad price from what I shopped around for....$854 for the front and back set with gears and master o/h kit. Worked with a guy named Stacy...fantastic to deal with.
Man I'd find a good shop for the gear install. I would never attempt it but that's me. I understand there are some specialty tools plus you kinda need to know what your doing. That's why it's pricey.
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It is as though I have slain a thousand Philistine’s with the jawbone of an ass, and had my eyes plucked out in vengeful retribution. –JoeCartoon
I ordered a V10 Ex. February of '00, when they we're hot and hard to get. I talked myself out of the 7.3L AND the V10/4.30's. 4.30 just sounded too steep. To do it again, I'd have ordered the 7.3L. Next choice would be V10/4.30.
After disappointment towing our 31ft TT, I bought the Powerpack and thought I'd be set. Wrong. The biggest difference was the Banks kit was extremely LOUD on the interior, on the outside it sounded nice. I bought some sound deadening material and pulled the interior to cover the floor and it helped a bit. I can't say the P'pack made a noticable improvement. Now I didn't Dyno, or make timed passes before and after, but the better sound didn't translate to improved performance.
Still attempting to build a better towing machine, I picked up a pre-owned rebuilt Gear Vendors OD. That made some improvement. The V10/4.30 would make an AWESOME tow setup. In fact, if I still had it I'd have installed 4.30's.
Always regretting passing on the diesel, and returning from another disappointing towing experience, I began looking for available '05's with the 6.0L. It was beyond the order date in August of '05, but there were quite a few on the lots. I found one exactly like I'd have ordered it and, so far so good. Tows like a champ.
Take Care
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('00 Ford Excursion, V10- TRADED) '05 Limited 6.0L , Air Lifts, 3.73LS, High Idle Mod., towing '00 Holiday Alumascape 31 SKS with a Hensley!
Well, I guess I'm glad to hear Btravelin say that the Powerpack didnt make much difference for him either. Doesnt make me happy about the $$ I spent, but maybe a little more at ease that theres (hopefully) no other underlying issue that is robbing it of the power Banks claims to be able to add.
The biggest dissapointment for me with the V-10 for towing is at high elevations here in Colorado. With an 8000lb trailer behind an 8000lb truck, it really dogs out on inclines. For anybody who's driven I-70 up to Eisenhower tunnel from west to east, you know how steep it is -- unloaded, I can hold 75 easy in cruise at 11,000 feet (my old Grand Cherokee w/ 4.7HO would only do 70 floorboarded), but with the trailer I'm lucky to make over 40 floorboarded and at about 5k rpm in 1st gear. :-(
Maybe next year after my savings account recovers from the $$ I dumped into the Banks system, I'll look into gears.
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