I did not like the digital gauge is the only reason I went with Banks and I don't think they (Banks) are the best I just wanted one place to go if I had issues instead of four different vendors (exhaust, gauges, chip etc.) . Also, a friend out here is a dealer so I got everything pretty cheap compared to what others have paid and I get to use his shop to put everything on like the downpipe. I would like to see your numbers since it sounds like our trucks are identical. I too have a stick and cannot even keep up with shifting with my Banks unit so I am sure the same will be true with the Edge product as well.

 

Does Motorhaven do the SCT Xcalibrator box for the 6.0?

 

jasfaa,

I dont' blame you a bit for buying banks then

 

I got my SCMT last week and plugged in the performance tune with the Banks unit set to “zero effect” or 1, or whatever- the stock setting. I hate to say it… I like the SCMT better. At least so far. I feel a little silly for spending the $700+ on the Banks when this tuner works so well.

I found a deserted stretch of straight road and did 4 0-60 (or 70, or 80..) runs. Wow. It spools up faster, and even with my larger tires, it lays a posi patch for at least 15 feet after a very short roll (turbo spooling up). Then it just flies. I have no hard data to share yet, but it feels just as fast, and the EGT was 100-200 degrees cooler at max throttle. The BEST part was the transmission shifting- perfect, positive shifts at a higher RPM than my Banks- right around 4000 RPM. When I’m not “into” the throttle, the shifts are as smooth as stock- like driving a Caddy.

I installed my Banks Technicooler intercooler and High-Ram intake yesterday, and they look awesome. I haven’t driven the truck yet to see how much it helps due to a little problem I found when removing the intercooler and pipes… They were full of oil. I’m heading to the Ford dealer today to show them one of the intercooler boots that has puddles of oil in each pleat (I’ve already pulled the Banks box out). The tubes were coated, the boots had puddles in them, and there was evidence of a lot of oil everywhere. This being said, I have no significant oil loss, but did notice it was blowing a bit of blue smoke at idle. I had run the Banks box for maybe 1500 miles, and never on more than level 3 towing the ski boat. I think this is a Ford thing- not a Banks-related thing.

Once I get it checked out, I’ll put the Banks box back in and make an appointment with the Dyno.

 

That is really cool that the SCMT worked like that. I don't have an automatic so the shifting issue is not as important to me and I cannot keep the tires from spinning in 2 on the Six Gun if I put it to the floor in any gear but especially 1st,2nd and 3rd. Did you run the Banks stuff after you installed the intercooler and ram air kit? I know these help reduce egt temps when used with the whole Banks product as it is a system.

 

Nope- haven't even run the truck since the install- waiting to find out if I have a bad turbo. I finished the intercooler install last night around 9 PM. Once I get the turbo checked out, I'll reinstall it and head for a dyno- I am really curious to see side by side comparisons of the Banks and the SCMT. The only drawback of the Banks is that I need to remove it before heading to the dealer. I'll rig the install so that it is more easily removed next time- or if the SMCT makes as much power, I may just Ebay the banks to cover the cost of the SCMT.

 

I called Banks to get some information about the warranty policy. I was given a name and told to call another number. I have called the number two times and have yet to get a response. This was last tuesday.

It makes you wonder what your spending money on. If they don't stand behind their product...they should not be in business. Just my opinion.

 

[quote]

I installed my Banks Technicooler intercooler and High-Ram intake yesterday, and they look awesome. I haven’t driven the truck yet to see how much it helps due to a little problem I found when removing the intercooler and pipes… They were full of oil. I’m heading to the Ford dealer today to show them one of the intercooler boots that has puddles of oil in each pleat (I’ve already pulled the Banks box out). The tubes were coated, the boots had puddles in them, and there was evidence of a lot of oil everywhere. This being said, I have no significant oil loss, but did notice it was blowing a bit of blue smoke at idle. I had run the Banks box for maybe 1500 miles, and never on more than level 3 towing the ski boat. I think this is a Ford thing- not a Banks-related thing.
[quote]

I noticed on my truck to that the blue hookup tubes are lookin a little oily. I've never took them apart but just wondering why they are. My truck is also puttin a little white and blue at idle, only when its cold though at first when you start it.

 

I had the six gun bundle installed at 4,000 miles on my 04 F250 6.0. The truck has awesome performance/acceleration. BUT... I've got the common surge, rough idle, cutting off problem with my POS 6.0 that the dealer cannot fix. My Ford rep got involved and now states that the Banks Mods on my truck are the source of all my trucks problems. OF COURSE! So, I figure Banks will back me up and give good customer support for me. WRONG! I asked Banks to have their dealer remove my six gun bundle so I could prove Ford to be the problem (well documented BEFORE the installation of the Banks system). Of course Banks refused. So I asked them if they would have their dealer just UNPLUG the tuner and take it out of the loop then give me a letter stating there was no problems with their system. At first they said "sure". Now they say they will not even do this and the Banks distributor says I will have to pay $100.00 to have the tuner UNHOOKED! You see, my lawyer has forbid me to touch the damn truck for obvious reasons. Banks may make the best product in the world, but they don't back it up and their customer service SUCKS!

Learn by my mistake. DO NOT even add a bedliner to a Ford if it is in warranty. They will use any excuse to deny a warranty even if it is well documented. Install Banks products if you don't mind paying the distributor when there is a problem or getting a tech or customer service rep on the phone that has a negative "holier than thou" attitude. And don't think they won't blame you for their problem if you do the install.

 

I can understand the frustration...but may I ask why you didn't remove the system yourself before it was taken in for service?

 

I don't know if I can believe you or not since it is easy to unplug the Banks unit yourself. The only thing you have to do is unplug the module on the Driver side engine compartment and remove the Y IMAP adapter on the passenger side at the IMAP sensor and the truck will be back to stock. It should take you about 5 minutes to do all of this. I have to do this every time I bring the truck into the shop and Banks Technical help let me know this is all it takes. If the unit is defective, put it back in the box and send it back to Banks. If you had it installed a performance shop most of the ones I know do this for free when you need it done.

 

The reason I did not remove the Banks six gun bundle is because the "bundle" includes the tuner, speedloader upgrade and exhaust. If you are not familiar, there are gauges and a dial for setting adjustment 1 (stock) through 6 (hold on). It's not like just unplugging a superchips or diablo plug-and-play. I WISH IT WAS. The other reason was because my wife works for the "auto group" that owns the dealership and the service manager told me not to worry about it because he knew the Banks system was not the problem. We both underestimated Ford's inclination to accept responsibility for what we all know is their problem.


My lawyer said that I am under NO circumstances to touch anything...however simple it may be. You would think that after all the $ I spent the Banks distributor would be glad to come out to the parking lot and do just what jasfaa describes...simple...but that is just how terrible their customer service is. They want $100.00! And Banks will not work for me with their distributor. They claim their distributor is not liable for Banks warranty issues. Check it out for yourself.

You don't have to beleive me, but I can give you the name and number of the Banks rep I've been trying to get help from for the past 2 months if you like. Letters have been sent to Ford and Banks. Legal action is pending. I'll keep you posted.

 

I am very familiar with the Banks setup since I have the exact same setup on my truck. If Ford is stating that it is the Banks unit the only thing you have to do is remove the IMAP sensor Y and disconnect the wire harnesses from the Banks unit and other than extra wiring and the dial the Banks unit is no longer PLUGGED IN. It is exactly back to stock except the exhaust. If the issues are still there then it was not the banks unit causing it the only thing left is the truck itself. I did not mean to belittle you but it is simple to take it back everything to stock except for the exhaust for them to do their testing and even the exhaust is about 1/2 hour job if they want to get mean about it. I actually kept my stock exhaust just in case they wanted to give me a hard time.

 

I went to the Ford Dealer today, and told them about the oil in the intake system. They said that the turbo bearing was bad, and the turbo had to be replaced. They also said that since I had the Banks exhaust installed, THE WARRANTY WAS VOID! Well, I maintained my composure and had a polite discussion with the service manager. I had a conversation with the regional Ford rep last June, where he stated that the only warranty an aftermarket exhaust component would void, is the warranty on the exhaust. This Ford dealer told me to contact that guy and get it in writing.

Now, GET THIS: I go to another Ford dealer, farther from the house, but the one I prefer (they actually sell their own aftermarket exhaust and install them). Ford dealer #2 tells me that this oil in the intake is completely normal- I talked to a service advisor and a diesel mechanic, and they said that they both drove 7.3 PSDs and that they both blew some oil in the intake- that is why the flex boots connecting the intercooler tubes have oil seeping around them. Dealer #2 told me to bring it in tomorrow, they will check it all out, and install the latest flash.

Now, there may be something wrong with the turbo, but this just goes to show the difference between dealerships. It’s all about people- get a good one, and they work with you. My Six-gun and Speedloader are completely removed- no trace of them at all. Unless they can prove that a free flowing exhaust fails a turbo, I should be in the clear.

For those of you who are willing and mechanically inclined- if you are wondering about oil in YOUR pipes, pop back one of the boots on an intercooler tube and look inside. No rocket science in this process, just loosen the clamp, wiggle if off the tube, look inside, and reinstall it. Let me know what you find- I may start another thread on this subject. I’m curious if everyone has oil in the intake.

 

There are oil in all of them- it is blowby from the turbo bearings, pickup from the crankcase ventilation, and other things. All normal.

Ford did not VOID your warranty; they only have the power to deny that specific claim for an aftermarket part. Fight it- even if you don't win, the warranty is still intact. They cannot "void" the warranty, they can only deny claims on a case-by-case basis.