Hi, I have a 02 f-350 7.3 diesel and im trying to find out if the banks packages are worth the money. Im interested in the PowerPack System. I currently just have a SuperChips Max Tuner. Will I see a difference in power? Is it worth the money?
Thanks

Aaron

 

The pros and cons of Banks systems:

Pros - good quality stuff, Banks tests the heck out of their systems for reliability.

Cons - not much power for the huge amount of money you spend.

If you are looking for some mild power increases and money is not really an issue, then Banks is for you. However, if you are looking for more power, it's better to purchase parts from some of the sponsors of this site and piece together the package you want.

Here's a rundown of what you can buy yourself. It's everything the Powerpack has, and you can compare the price yourself. I tried to match up parts that are as good or better performing than the Banks system. You can substitute some items for a cheaper price and still get pretty much the exact same performance. For example, build your own homemade intake for less than $50, or drop in an intercooler from a 6.0L for a fraction of the cost of a Spearco:

Intake: Tymar for $100
Intercooler: Spearco for $1200
Performance Chip: DP-Tuner for ~$300 (depends on how many tunes you buy)
Upgrade wheel & Housing: 1.0 non-wastegated housing and wheel combo $385
Exhaust: MBRP 4" SS for $444
Gauges: Autometer for $240

Total: $2670
Banks Powerpack: $3000

If you do go the route of building your own intake, as well as drop in an intercooler from a 6.0L truck, you can knock another $1000 off the price.

 

I put the Stinger Plus an '02 that I have since sold to my Dad. I had them put the chip in from the Powerpack so I could get the 100 hp gain. EGT's still stayed safe. I wouldn't get their filter though. Go with an AMSOIL, or another dry flow. Banks systems also include Transcommand, and Big Head wastegate. I think that I got mine for around $2200, but I can't remember.

 

I have a Banks Monster Exhaust and Banks 6 Gun Tuner and the power increase I got was not worth the money. The exhaust is great, deep sound and low EGT's the 6 gun tuner however flat out sucks. 6 levels of power and the highest level is a 60HP gain and I paid $500 for it. Not worth it if you ask me. I am getting rid of the 6 Gun and replacing it with the DP Tuner. Check out their website they are a supporter so great deals for members.

 

Travis, I talked to Banks and the sales person told me the six Gun tuner is over priced and not worth the money. I guess it looks cool b.c it gives you boost and temp digitally.

 

I bought the Banks Power Pack kit in my stupid days. After installing and then doing a number of other things I got very frustrated with the lack of power. I sent the chip back to Banks to have it re-flashed at a higher setting. They told me it was set at 85 hp. I finally bought a four position DP tuner chip. The settings are 40, 80, 100, 120 and all of them have more get up and go than I had with the Banks kit. The exhaust, turbo housing, turbo wheel, and Big Head wastegate actuator are very good and still on the truck. The rest of it went bye bye. JMHO.

 

If you want digital readout just get an xmonitor. I have one and its nice because I can see exact temps. Has an alarm feature, where it flashes if you get any temps too high, and you can set the range for the alarms. Dont know much about the Banks, but I am happy with what I have. Also its like a blue screen so it sort of matches the dash lights in a way.

 

It does read boost and trans temp and EGT if you connect them to it, I didn't. I have seperate gauges for that. The only thing cool about the 6 gun is it can be mounted in a gauge pod. Way over-priced and under-powered, I am getting rid of it. I am not going to sell it though, I wouldnt do that to a fellow Power Stroker. I should have done it right the first time but I had already bought it and then I found this site. Oh well, live and learn and pass on to others your knowledge.

 

Has any one seen a significant power increase?

 

Do you have a link or website for the xmonitor?? I am thinking of going digital...

 

wow it seems like ever since i posted the question about the banks power pack system on my truck, ('97 f350 7.3 psd) people have all been asking abuot banks products, just look in the section below this one and look for "banks power pack system" they gave me lots of good tips and products and websites to get this stuff, i love these forums, so many knowledgable people, i mean i thought that i knew stuff about diesel's... but i guess i figured out that i need to learn a lot more!

 

The 6 gun gave me a little more power (an extra 60hp) but not what I was expecting. If you are looking for significant power go DP. Honestly I have not heard one bad thing about them, and just on this post alone I have heard 3 negative comments about Banks. It is your money but to me $500 for 60 hp is not worth it. If that is all you are looking for then like I mentioned before, pull your PCM and have it flashed with the 60 tow tune.

 

02 350 7.3super crew
just bought mbrp 4" afe stage2
looking for a good tuner
not trying to go too crazy
(everyday truck) looking for a little hp

 

dp tuner 80hp econo, stock, those are nice

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions, Im getting some good stuff here. So what are some good brands to look for. What upgrades are add the most power SAFELY!!!!