Banks just announced the following project for the 7.3L - I have a 6.4L Powerstroke but thought this might be useful to those running the 7.3L - I lived in Colorado and back in 2000 when I got a 6L all my friends said, "no thank you, nothing will beat the 7.3L" - a lots changed since then.

Project: ’96 Ford F-350 7.3L Power Stroke
Mileage: 224,000

Jacob White, Diesel World Technical Editor Assistant, has an interesting project that will span nearly a year. For the project, they’ve purchased a bone stock ’96 Ford F-350… a time capsule if you will of that year’s technology. The Diesel World team aims to bring it into the 21st century with upgrades that will get the truck as current as it can get. While the first magazine issue to start off the series won’t be on newsstands until September, the project has been underway for a several months. Upgrades like suspension, drivetrain and engine enhancements will be reviewed, installed and put to the test. One such upgrade was the Banks Techni-Cooler intercooler for ’94-’97 Power Stroke.


The 7.3L diesel of that time was an interesting one—running a turbocharger but no intercooler. Since the truck’s introduction, Banks has built performance kits for this setup, such as the legendary Power Pack. While the parts are available still as a complete system, Jacob wanted to do it step-by-step see just how effective component is, and he wanted to start out with the intercooler.

Jacob first conducted his test with the stock truck running a change-on-the-fly performance chip towing a 32’ 5th wheel trailer. The test was conducted on 8-mile long 6 ½% grade. Without the intercooler installed, the exhaust gas temperature climbed passed 1,450° into an unsafe territory, regardless of what power level the chip was set to. He then removed the performance chip yet the temps still climbed and power suffered. The truck traveled the grade in 2nd gear at a top speed of 37 mph, not quick by any means. Then the Banks intercooler was installed was tested, and the chip was re-installed.

Would the chip still cause the temps to climb? With its newfound ability to create a denser charge of air the truck sprinted up the hill at 57 mph, 20 mph more than without it, in 3rd gear with an exhaust temperature of only 1250°. The intercooler was so effective that the added heat caused by chip’s fueling was no match for the cooling power of the Techni-cooler. Keep your eye on newsstands for Jacob's Diesel World Super Duty build story beginning this September.

 

when you buy a banks product, a lot of what you pay for is the name.
there are a lot of better systems out there for a lot less money.

 

Two things, 1) I'm not a rep but I've used some of their products and never had a problem, 2) if you read the article they are developing a Derringer tuner for the 7.3L and it plugs directly into the OBD port. Unplug it and no trace you had a tune installed, plus it reads and provides a lot of info and at least on the newer PowerStrokes you have some built-in settings so you can adjust to the driving environment.

I've had friends who won't buy a truck with a tune on it, because they can't really tell how much boost was being used, what kind of EGT temps were in play etc. And getting the tune/flash removed was going to cost money on top of the cost of the truck. A lot of this might not matter to some and so definitely there are cheaper routes to take. To each his own.

Just wanted to pass the info along without any recommendation as I haven't used it on a 7.3L. I have no business nor a personal relationship with Banks nor any other company. I just own a truck. GL

 

Don't waste money on Banks, start with a good set of gauges, 4" exhaust, an intake, PHP Hydra chip, and an intercooler if your towing heavy. If you want more after that you looking into an e fuel conversion, bigger injectors, bigger turbo, better HPOP and transmission upgrades.

 

i have an 88 IDI diesel with a banks turbo on it.
great unit and still works fine after 490,000 miles.
but when it comes to the 7.3 powerstroke and what they are now doing, they are about 10 years too late. the plug and play tuner with display to monitor engine performance has been around for at least 10 years.

 

Good point, I don't need all of that. I could use some boost on my 6.4L when crossing the Rockies and Sierra's on the climb. I'm looking at the 6.7L (used) and will stick with the Derringer. As I mentioned it's not a one size fits all world and I really was just letting people know that it was out there...nothing more.

I'm sure you're suggestions will be helpful to those who need it. Thanks.

 

I was just mentioning that Banks didn't have a plug n play for the 7.3L, at least that's their claim. Wouldn't know if that's true or untrue. Just thought I'd mention it as I saw a notice last time I checked their site.

I've used their products and have been happy. But others have posted some great ideas and hopefully, they are of benefit to 7.3L owners! Thanks!

 

Banks stuff is top notch and they test their producs to a science level , so your just not buying a "name" but like others said you can buy equal or better stuff cheaper that has proven time and time again it works.

 

i didn't really mean it that way Adam.
i know they go above and beyond with testing to make sure their products are the best they can be.

i was just stating that they also tend to be a bit overpriced because of the name.

 

No worries Tom. I guess it looked as if I was upset when I posted lol..... Not my intention.

 

no foul.
i also know sometimes my senility makes me post things that read a lot different than the way i sounded it out in my head and typed them

 

My small contribution to the topic.
1997 F250 CC original owner.
400000 miles

Bought a Banks Stinger kit & Transcomand in 2005.
This was before internet for me. Only had the pretty broushure to drool over. Truck had 160k at the time.

The truck has never let me down once. (Currently fighting a random electrical problem)
Driving from Sault Ste. Marie to Lansing Michigan today. These are my current #'s @65mph.

24.8 MPG (tail wind - flat)(2 fill ups to top of filler neck)
65psi - fuel pressure
400 to 450 exhaust temp. (Banks after turbo)
950 - HPOP
13.5 - IPR
1750 - RPM
163 - TRANS TEMP
198 - ENGINE OIL TEMP
50 lbs.- OIL PRESSURE
0 - BOOST
55 - LBS TIRE PRESSURE

The MPG @ 70mph were 21 to 22 in rolling hills.

Very happy with these #' s.
Every day I curse the front suspension, using a K&N filter the first 200k (380 lbs. compression test), and the wimpy shortbed CC frame. Dangerous with my slide in camper. ( They made the frame extra narrow in spots..WTF.)
BOB

 

I've stood at the threshold of buying from Banks several times. At the end of the day, it's the cost that stopped the purchase.

Banks does a real nice job on the research and development work, the kits are so well thought out and complete that they set the bar pretty high.

Their business model seems to work, recoup the past R&D plus profit, at the point of sale. Nothing wrong with that. If fact, those guys are usually the first to do some real research and bring something high quality to market for a new platform, they are always innovating.

At the same time, there's nothing wrong with taking that same knowledge and applying it to a lower cost solution. The aftermarket industry is full of startups that last a few years, then fold up because they can't weather a few tough years. Banks must be doing something right.