Gale Banks
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Gale Banks
I have been looking at the Gale Banks Power Pack system for my truck. Has anyone had experience with this company and their claims of additional HP and Torque with there systems? They're somewhat expensive but the info I've been getting here has been positive.
I thought I would post this question to this forum which would cover a much larger crowd of performance people with pros/cons to the system.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Xaviar
I thought I would post this question to this forum which would cover a much larger crowd of performance people with pros/cons to the system.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Xaviar
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Joined: Jan 2000
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Gale Banks
Xaviar,
I installed a Gale Banks Power Pack on my '88 F-250 460 C-6 last summer. I haul a 9 1/2' camper and a small trailer with motorcycles in the mountains of Washington. The system was good for a noticeable increase in horsepower, haven't got any way to measure other than seat-of-the-pants.
Fit and finish are excellent, installation reasonably easy. I have not had any of the usual problems with headers (leaking flanges etc.) The system cured the leak I had with the stock manifolds. It took me about 14 hours to remove my old system and install the Power Pack, a more experienced mechanic could probably do it in eight. The sound is good, although I preferred the sound from the Gibson I had on it earlier. The system has a limited lifetime warranty, and is all stainless steel.
Good luck,
Paul
I installed a Gale Banks Power Pack on my '88 F-250 460 C-6 last summer. I haul a 9 1/2' camper and a small trailer with motorcycles in the mountains of Washington. The system was good for a noticeable increase in horsepower, haven't got any way to measure other than seat-of-the-pants.
Fit and finish are excellent, installation reasonably easy. I have not had any of the usual problems with headers (leaking flanges etc.) The system cured the leak I had with the stock manifolds. It took me about 14 hours to remove my old system and install the Power Pack, a more experienced mechanic could probably do it in eight. The sound is good, although I preferred the sound from the Gibson I had on it earlier. The system has a limited lifetime warranty, and is all stainless steel.
Good luck,
Paul
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Gale Banks
Hi Paul,
It seems most of the info (if not all) I'm getting is a positive one. Spoke with a rep from GB and he said basically the same thing. A good half a days work in R&R. The system looks impressive. 5/8 header flang and S/S throughout. He said I will definately notice a difference in performance and gas mileage. If I can only get the other little problems worked out I'll be ok
thanks for the feedback
Xaviar
It seems most of the info (if not all) I'm getting is a positive one. Spoke with a rep from GB and he said basically the same thing. A good half a days work in R&R. The system looks impressive. 5/8 header flang and S/S throughout. He said I will definately notice a difference in performance and gas mileage. If I can only get the other little problems worked out I'll be ok
thanks for the feedback
Xaviar
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Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 118
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Gale Banks
I installed a Banks Power Pack in June on my 95 F250 460. Made a world of difference to my truck. I pulled my 28 foot fifth wheel through the mountains this summer and was amazed at how seldom I had to back shift my ZF.
I will say that you will only see a savings in fuel economy if you don't change the way you drive... and, that is a lot easier said than done... since you will enjoy the extra power... LOL! It took me quite a while to see the milage improve... I was having too much fun with the sound and the seat of the pants stuff.
The system is expensive, and I'm not sure it would be worth it if you're not going to be working the truck, such as hauling a heavy load, but, it is well made and installs real nice. It took me about 16 hours including, a full 8 hours removing a broken manifold bolt from the head... I broke two easy-outs off in the bolt... that hardened steel can be a real pain to deal with.
Perry
I will say that you will only see a savings in fuel economy if you don't change the way you drive... and, that is a lot easier said than done... since you will enjoy the extra power... LOL! It took me quite a while to see the milage improve... I was having too much fun with the sound and the seat of the pants stuff.
The system is expensive, and I'm not sure it would be worth it if you're not going to be working the truck, such as hauling a heavy load, but, it is well made and installs real nice. It took me about 16 hours including, a full 8 hours removing a broken manifold bolt from the head... I broke two easy-outs off in the bolt... that hardened steel can be a real pain to deal with.
Perry
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Gale Banks
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 28-Dec-00 AT 03:49 AM (EST)[/font][p]Howdy Perry,
Thanks for the info. I have purchased the complete system. I should have it buy the 2nd week in Jan. I have a 20' car hauler I use on occasion so I should definately see a difference. Did you purchase the Trans command also for your truck? There's a guy here 15 miles from me who has installed the complete system on his truck with the trans command.
I have heard of additional HP you can get by trimming the duel plastic airhorn between the the throttle body and air filter. He has done it and there was an article on trimming it. All you do is remove the duel airhorn. get a hacksaw and cut the extensions off. Leave enough room to put your hose back on to clamp to and wala. A little more forced air to gulp down.
If you haven't bought a trans command for your truck you might give GB a call. Wait ZF, you have 5sp manual.....hehehe. Anyway they currently are having a sell on some stuff.
Trans command is around 225.00. The complete power pack system is around 1500 bucks.
If I were to install custom headers (JBA's at 795.00) I still would have to install 2 cats have have custom duels out the back. Got a quote of 1000.00 with out the headers. It was basically the same everywhere I went. I think the GB setup was/is the better choice. Not to mention I will be able to utilize the factory hangers with no mods to my truck.
Well, thx again for the info and let me know if you modify your airhorn
Xaviar
Thanks for the info. I have purchased the complete system. I should have it buy the 2nd week in Jan. I have a 20' car hauler I use on occasion so I should definately see a difference. Did you purchase the Trans command also for your truck? There's a guy here 15 miles from me who has installed the complete system on his truck with the trans command.
I have heard of additional HP you can get by trimming the duel plastic airhorn between the the throttle body and air filter. He has done it and there was an article on trimming it. All you do is remove the duel airhorn. get a hacksaw and cut the extensions off. Leave enough room to put your hose back on to clamp to and wala. A little more forced air to gulp down.
If you haven't bought a trans command for your truck you might give GB a call. Wait ZF, you have 5sp manual.....hehehe. Anyway they currently are having a sell on some stuff.
Trans command is around 225.00. The complete power pack system is around 1500 bucks.
If I were to install custom headers (JBA's at 795.00) I still would have to install 2 cats have have custom duels out the back. Got a quote of 1000.00 with out the headers. It was basically the same everywhere I went. I think the GB setup was/is the better choice. Not to mention I will be able to utilize the factory hangers with no mods to my truck.
Well, thx again for the info and let me know if you modify your airhorn
Xaviar
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Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 118
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Gale Banks
Xavier,
When you get the Powerpack the instructions will include instructions for removing the little horns in your intake tubes, but, you've got it figured.
I had removed them in my truck before and I didn't notice much difference... though, with improvements to the rest of your engine's breathing it would be more noticeable. I also run my truck on propane and when I installed that system... I was also to remove the horns... but, that was to install venturis to mix the propane vapors with the air supply. So in a sense the horns are back in, at least as long as I keep burning propane... with prices the way they are it won't be long. It is getting stupid... propane prices have quadrupled since I converted my first truck and more than doubled since I converted this one 14 months ago. I barely got the equipment paid for. Now, it is costing the same to drive propane as gasoline. If prices don't correct themselves, I'll remove the system.
Okay, I've complained enough... Happy New Year!!!
Perry
When you get the Powerpack the instructions will include instructions for removing the little horns in your intake tubes, but, you've got it figured.
I had removed them in my truck before and I didn't notice much difference... though, with improvements to the rest of your engine's breathing it would be more noticeable. I also run my truck on propane and when I installed that system... I was also to remove the horns... but, that was to install venturis to mix the propane vapors with the air supply. So in a sense the horns are back in, at least as long as I keep burning propane... with prices the way they are it won't be long. It is getting stupid... propane prices have quadrupled since I converted my first truck and more than doubled since I converted this one 14 months ago. I barely got the equipment paid for. Now, it is costing the same to drive propane as gasoline. If prices don't correct themselves, I'll remove the system.
Okay, I've complained enough... Happy New Year!!!
Perry
