V10 mods.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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V10 mods.
Well, I had the Banks exhaust system installed today. It sounds good at idle (from outside the truck, standing on the exhaust side), but from inside the cab, it sounds like a very BIG six!
The noise level isn't too loud at idle, so the neighbors shouldn't be using me for target practice in the morning. Also, the level drops way down when cruising, so it's not annoying to the driver (unless you're a Noise Freak!)
A dual exhaust system would produce better sounds, as we're used to from V8s), but I don't see them being approved by the guv'mint for a loo-o-ong time to come. Maybe I'm wrong.
Getting back to the Banks, I bought it to "prep" the SD for the installation of a supercharger next Spring. With what few miles I have on the new system, there is a very noticeable improvement in both power and torque! I haven't had time to get it onto a highway to see what has happened with passing performance, but it HAS to be greatly enhanced.
All in all, it seems to be great for performance, but nothing to brag too much about for sound. That's my 2 cents' worth on the Banks PowerPack, V10 Man.
Tom
The noise level isn't too loud at idle, so the neighbors shouldn't be using me for target practice in the morning. Also, the level drops way down when cruising, so it's not annoying to the driver (unless you're a Noise Freak!)
A dual exhaust system would produce better sounds, as we're used to from V8s), but I don't see them being approved by the guv'mint for a loo-o-ong time to come. Maybe I'm wrong.
Getting back to the Banks, I bought it to "prep" the SD for the installation of a supercharger next Spring. With what few miles I have on the new system, there is a very noticeable improvement in both power and torque! I haven't had time to get it onto a highway to see what has happened with passing performance, but it HAS to be greatly enhanced.
All in all, it seems to be great for performance, but nothing to brag too much about for sound. That's my 2 cents' worth on the Banks PowerPack, V10 Man.
Tom
Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 85
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V10 mods.
It sounds like the power and perfomance did increase like advertised. That's good! I have just a few questions. Were you able to watch the install? Did the shop run into any problems? I think I'm going to do it myself so any tips would be welcome. Other than the exhaust sound from the tailpipe, was there any added interior noise coming from the headers? My other question is about mpg. Guess I'll have to wait a couple weeks on that one. This may be a bit too early but, really, you like the kit? Worth the $$$? Thanks a lot Superpleased!
V10 man
V10 man
Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 83
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V10 mods.
>It sounds like the power and perfomance
>did increase like advertised. That's
>good! I have just
>a few questions. Were you able
>to watch the install?
No, I didn't get to see the process. So typical these days. The shops don't want us watching them for a multitude of reasons, and use the "insurance" thing as an excuse. Keeps the customers out of their way, and keeps the customers from observing them as they sometimes take "bad" shortcuts, or just plain screw up. At least, that's this mechanic's assessment.
>Did the shop run into any problems?
Aside from the time-consuming nuisance of having to remove the plastic inner fender liners in order to get at the headers, no.
>I think I'm going to do
>it myself so any tips would
>be welcome. Other than the
>exhaust sound from the tailpipe, was
>there any added interior noise coming
>from the headers?
No noise from the front end of the truck, whatsoever. All the "straight six" drumming in the cab occurs during accelleration, and seems to originate at the muffler/just aft of the muffler. The factory's sound insulation inside the Supercab wasn't designed to protect from this "new" source of sound pollution.
>My other question is about mpg. Guess
>I'll have to wait a couple
>weeks on that one. This
>may be a bit too early
>but, really, you like the kit?
>Worth the $$$? Thanks a
>lot Superpleased!
I haven't any idea, yet, as to precisely what effect this system will have on gas mileage, other than confidence that it will improve somewhat.
The kit is very well designed, and the quality of the components is very good (the repacement air cleaner is a K&N), perhaps excellent. I'm confident that it's reduced the exhaust back pressure substantially, and that back pressure won't be a problem when the supercharger gets installed in the Spring.
Is it worth the money? That's a difficult question to answer. The Banks Powerpack, installed, cost me $2,300, $600 of which was for labor, and $150 for shipping. That's a huge pile of money, for just an exhaust system! (My opinion)
If you review the installation manual which is downloadable from the Banks website, you'll see that there's a great amount of work involved to accomplish the install, so maybe the labor charge (which is sure to vary widely from location to location, and even from shop to shop) was reasonable. Doing it yourself could certainly save you some real money!
The quality of the kit is truly fine, even right down to the high-tech "decals"; so, the final decision as to whether or not the kit's worth the money is really left up to the individual who's paying for it, and what he's expecting from it.
I'm happy with it, but, of course, wish it had cost me a *lot* less.
If you're reading this, Ford, PLEASE at least offer a dual exhaust system for these great trucks!!!
Tom
>did increase like advertised. That's
>good! I have just
>a few questions. Were you able
>to watch the install?
No, I didn't get to see the process. So typical these days. The shops don't want us watching them for a multitude of reasons, and use the "insurance" thing as an excuse. Keeps the customers out of their way, and keeps the customers from observing them as they sometimes take "bad" shortcuts, or just plain screw up. At least, that's this mechanic's assessment.
>Did the shop run into any problems?
Aside from the time-consuming nuisance of having to remove the plastic inner fender liners in order to get at the headers, no.
>I think I'm going to do
>it myself so any tips would
>be welcome. Other than the
>exhaust sound from the tailpipe, was
>there any added interior noise coming
>from the headers?
No noise from the front end of the truck, whatsoever. All the "straight six" drumming in the cab occurs during accelleration, and seems to originate at the muffler/just aft of the muffler. The factory's sound insulation inside the Supercab wasn't designed to protect from this "new" source of sound pollution.
>My other question is about mpg. Guess
>I'll have to wait a couple
>weeks on that one. This
>may be a bit too early
>but, really, you like the kit?
>Worth the $$$? Thanks a
>lot Superpleased!
I haven't any idea, yet, as to precisely what effect this system will have on gas mileage, other than confidence that it will improve somewhat.
The kit is very well designed, and the quality of the components is very good (the repacement air cleaner is a K&N), perhaps excellent. I'm confident that it's reduced the exhaust back pressure substantially, and that back pressure won't be a problem when the supercharger gets installed in the Spring.
Is it worth the money? That's a difficult question to answer. The Banks Powerpack, installed, cost me $2,300, $600 of which was for labor, and $150 for shipping. That's a huge pile of money, for just an exhaust system! (My opinion)
If you review the installation manual which is downloadable from the Banks website, you'll see that there's a great amount of work involved to accomplish the install, so maybe the labor charge (which is sure to vary widely from location to location, and even from shop to shop) was reasonable. Doing it yourself could certainly save you some real money!
The quality of the kit is truly fine, even right down to the high-tech "decals"; so, the final decision as to whether or not the kit's worth the money is really left up to the individual who's paying for it, and what he's expecting from it.
I'm happy with it, but, of course, wish it had cost me a *lot* less.
If you're reading this, Ford, PLEASE at least offer a dual exhaust system for these great trucks!!!
Tom
Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
V10 mods.
Tom,
Everything sounds great! Banks has a reputation of making quality products. I dunno about your truck but mine has a goofy, stamped steel "U" that both exhaust pipes exit into before going to the 3" tubing. This has to create a ton of back pressure. As far as duals, it's possible. Do you have to go through smog checks? If not, then you could modify the Banks "Y" and dual it out from there. If you have a O2 sensor after the cat then you're out of luck. I don't know if the duals would add that much more power to even make the mod worth it. You could also replace the cat with a piece of 3" pipe.
The last time I installed headers they were $80 and the local muffler shop charged me $200 for 2 1/2" tubing and a pair of Super Turbos. That's why it's taking all my convincing skills to sway the wife.
Thanks again for all your posts. The information you provided was very useful. I really appreciated it. If you ever make it to the lower 48, Phoenix area let me know. I owe you some beers!
Paul
Everything sounds great! Banks has a reputation of making quality products. I dunno about your truck but mine has a goofy, stamped steel "U" that both exhaust pipes exit into before going to the 3" tubing. This has to create a ton of back pressure. As far as duals, it's possible. Do you have to go through smog checks? If not, then you could modify the Banks "Y" and dual it out from there. If you have a O2 sensor after the cat then you're out of luck. I don't know if the duals would add that much more power to even make the mod worth it. You could also replace the cat with a piece of 3" pipe.
The last time I installed headers they were $80 and the local muffler shop charged me $200 for 2 1/2" tubing and a pair of Super Turbos. That's why it's taking all my convincing skills to sway the wife.
Thanks again for all your posts. The information you provided was very useful. I really appreciated it. If you ever make it to the lower 48, Phoenix area let me know. I owe you some beers!
Paul
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V10 mods.
Hi V-10 Man. I've enjoyed reading the exchange on the Banks Power Pack. Since you already have a cat-back system have you looked into getting just the headers from DIS or Banks? I was considering getting just the headers and then trying a local shop for some custom plumbing for the rest of the job. I've got a friend who does exhaust systems so I might be able to come up with a very low restriction system (not sure about how legal it would be).
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V10 mods.
Hi Tom: I've enjoyed following the exchange on the Banks Power Pack. Please keep us posted with more "seat of the pants" impressions of how much the system does for power and also any change in fuel mileage. I can't wait to hear what your tank does when you bolt on the blower!
Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 83
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V10 mods.
>Hi Tom: I've enjoyed following the exchange on the Banks Power Pack.
Glad to hear that, because that's what this board is here for.
> Please keep us posted with more "seat of the pants" impressions of how much the system does for power and also any change in fuel mileage.
Will do! I'll be making my first 570-mile round trip to work with the Banks installed beginning Sunday, September 12, and returning on Monday, September 20. I'll report my change in gas mileage when I return.
>I can't wait to hear what your tank does when you bolt on the blower!
Somehow, I expect the tank will make a giant sucking sound!!
Tom
Glad to hear that, because that's what this board is here for.
> Please keep us posted with more "seat of the pants" impressions of how much the system does for power and also any change in fuel mileage.
Will do! I'll be making my first 570-mile round trip to work with the Banks installed beginning Sunday, September 12, and returning on Monday, September 20. I'll report my change in gas mileage when I return.
>I can't wait to hear what your tank does when you bolt on the blower!
Somehow, I expect the tank will make a giant sucking sound!!
Tom
Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
V10 mods.
I said that I'd let you know how the PowerPack performed after I'd completed my first 570 mile round trip to work, and now it's time to tell the tale.
First off, there wasn't a spectacular increase in gas mileage. In fact, it was esssentially miniscule - about 4/10 mpg better mileage (using cruise control for about 95% of the trip).
That relatively low mileage gain was due, in part, to cruising at my normal 72-74mph, where I'm sure that wind resistance is the biggest consumer of fuel.
Performance improved noticably, both in passing "oomph", and in the fact that the tranny didn't drop out of overdrive while climbing hills anywheres near as often as it did before the Banks installation. Now, there's an genuine endorsement for the Banks PowerPack based on "real life" experience.
I'm not going to list my actual gas mileage figures here, because they aren't very impressive when compared to some of the numbers I see posted on this board and elsewhere. Let's just say that I average around 10mpg (tops) around town, and around 12.5mpg at 72mph on the highway.
I love this truck!!!!
First off, there wasn't a spectacular increase in gas mileage. In fact, it was esssentially miniscule - about 4/10 mpg better mileage (using cruise control for about 95% of the trip).
That relatively low mileage gain was due, in part, to cruising at my normal 72-74mph, where I'm sure that wind resistance is the biggest consumer of fuel.
Performance improved noticably, both in passing "oomph", and in the fact that the tranny didn't drop out of overdrive while climbing hills anywheres near as often as it did before the Banks installation. Now, there's an genuine endorsement for the Banks PowerPack based on "real life" experience.
I'm not going to list my actual gas mileage figures here, because they aren't very impressive when compared to some of the numbers I see posted on this board and elsewhere. Let's just say that I average around 10mpg (tops) around town, and around 12.5mpg at 72mph on the highway.
I love this truck!!!!
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