banks problem
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,901
Likes: 3,617
The issue of leaking head gaskets is one of metallurgy. The torque-to-yield bolts lose strength when they are stretched (exposed to excess force). I understand that poor torquing procedures, warped heads, poor castings, excessive temperatures all play a role in failures also. However, if exposure to excessive peak cylinder pressure occurs, it will eventually stretch the bolts and failures will result. The process is slow in many (probably most) cases. This is why custom tuning is so important. As I understand it, there is a lot of technology in the proper custom tuning to prevent this. Even so, things can happen - turbo vanes sticking, sensor malfunctions, etc. IMO -tuners CAN certainly magnify the potential for having issues. Some tuners (also IMO), from all the reading I have done, are destined to cause issues. When we buy these trucks, a report of "60k miles and no problems yet" does not motivate me to jump for a product that carries the risk of failed headgaskets. ARP or H11 studs are really the best solution for long-term reliability. Once studded, the EGR delete (cooler and valve) and a well written custom tune are a solid foundation for reliability (along with a good set of gauges)!
Having said all that - my opinions come from a ton of reading, but no personal experience (yet).
Having said all that - my opinions come from a ton of reading, but no personal experience (yet).
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Rexburg, ID
I'll be the first to confess that I didn't do a lot of research when it came to programmers when I first got my truck. I just knew the Banks name and went with it. I've got nothing against SCT, the great aftermarket tunes, etc, and all things being equal if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably give the SCT hard consideration.
I've had my Banks Six Gun for about a year now with about 8,000 miles on it. The primary unit (under the hood) went south and they replaced it under warranty. Other than that, I've not had any problems with the truck, and I pretty much leave it on the top level (SL) most of the time, except when towing my travel trailer (level 3).
I do like the color display, the ability to custom configure the visual displays of the guages, and the ability to change the tune settings "on the fly".
Things I don't like: It was pricey. It works differently than most tuners in that it doesn't change the onboard code, it basically sits "in-line" after the onboard PCM and sends custom signals to the engine. Thus it is somewhat limited in controlling items like the transmission, changing ratio settions for bigger tires, removing limiters like speed limiter, etc.
Having sunk the money, I may do what another individual here does, and that is eventually get an SCT with Spartan tunes, and just leave the Banks PDA in Level 1, thus allowing me to keep the great display monitor of the Banks, and use the SCT for the great tunes.
But I do get a little irate when someone gets a little overzealous and starts yelling "Don't use Banks, it'll lift a head!". No more than any other performance tuner out there.
TX
TX
I've had my Banks Six Gun for about a year now with about 8,000 miles on it. The primary unit (under the hood) went south and they replaced it under warranty. Other than that, I've not had any problems with the truck, and I pretty much leave it on the top level (SL) most of the time, except when towing my travel trailer (level 3).
I do like the color display, the ability to custom configure the visual displays of the guages, and the ability to change the tune settings "on the fly".
Things I don't like: It was pricey. It works differently than most tuners in that it doesn't change the onboard code, it basically sits "in-line" after the onboard PCM and sends custom signals to the engine. Thus it is somewhat limited in controlling items like the transmission, changing ratio settions for bigger tires, removing limiters like speed limiter, etc.
Having sunk the money, I may do what another individual here does, and that is eventually get an SCT with Spartan tunes, and just leave the Banks PDA in Level 1, thus allowing me to keep the great display monitor of the Banks, and use the SCT for the great tunes.
But I do get a little irate when someone gets a little overzealous and starts yelling "Don't use Banks, it'll lift a head!". No more than any other performance tuner out there.
TX
TX
Rob
_________________
5" lift with 35" toyo MT's with 20" moto metals
AFE Stage II
Straight Piped with a 6"X24" Black Powder Coated Tip
AMP Retractable Steps
Banks Six Gun with PDA (for now)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,460
Likes: 14
From: The Land Of Time
Yes you can. You need to use the Banks on whatever the stock setting would be. I think it 1 on the PDA. There is a member here that has done this, BadBrad I beleive. He uses the PDA for the guages and thats it. If you only have the dial then just get rid of it and get the x3. I am not sure how accurate the guages on the PDA are but anything is better than nothing. I am not one for the digital guages although the pyro has to be pretty accurate as you do ned to drill and tap the exhaust manifold. Thats just my opinion.
Bismic as usual well put.
Sarge
Bismic as usual well put.
Sarge
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Rexburg, ID
thank for the input on this, Would I need to unplug the banks and then download the X3 with a tune that I would like then plug the banks back it(if anyone knows the right way to do this I would love to hear how its done). I think that I would come out about 6's if I sell the six-gun and get enof money to get a X3 and then have to buy gauges or keep the six-gun and just buy the X3. I have all the tunes from the archives that Spartan had from one of the fine gentleman on FTE THANK YOU GUYS I think I will keep the 6.0L a little longer if I can get everything to work like I would like it too.
_________________
5" lift with 35" toyo MT's with 20" moto metals
AFE Stage II
Straight Piped with a 6"X24" Black Powder Coated Tip
AMP Retractable Steps
Banks Six Gun with PDA (for now)
Reply With Quote
_________________
5" lift with 35" toyo MT's with 20" moto metals
AFE Stage II
Straight Piped with a 6"X24" Black Powder Coated Tip
AMP Retractable Steps
Banks Six Gun with PDA (for now)
Reply With Quote
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,460
Likes: 14
From: The Land Of Time
Yes you would have to unplug the sixgun. Make sure that you return the truck back to stock before doing so. When you have loaded your xcal tune just reinstall the sixgun and use it at the stock level and away you go. I sold mine for about 600.00 on ebay and bought the guages first and then the tuner. Someone will buy it they are always on there.
Sarge
Sarge
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Rexburg, ID
thanks, I started a new thread on this and have had a response from a gentleman that uses Banks I believe. Now i just need to get the software from SCT I'v tried it earlier but it said that something was wrong with windows or the application not sure, I'll have to give SCT a call and see whats happening
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Sarge 261,
Did you install the Banks inter-cooler or did someone do it for you? I am looking into installing one in my 2006 F-350 and would like some information on how difficult the install is. Already have the turbo back exhuast and high ram elbow from Banks along with Spartan SCT tunes. Thanks
Did you install the Banks inter-cooler or did someone do it for you? I am looking into installing one in my 2006 F-350 and would like some information on how difficult the install is. Already have the turbo back exhuast and high ram elbow from Banks along with Spartan SCT tunes. Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,460
Likes: 14
From: The Land Of Time
Yes I did,
It was a while ago, so I dont totally recall how it went. It was back when the online service manual link worked. Check the tech folder at the top of the page there may be soemthing in there. As I recall it wasnt too aweful bad though. The instructions that came with it were pretty cut and dry. If you buy used and dont get the directions go to the Banks web site and down load them.
Good Luck,
Sarge
It was a while ago, so I dont totally recall how it went. It was back when the online service manual link worked. Check the tech folder at the top of the page there may be soemthing in there. As I recall it wasnt too aweful bad though. The instructions that came with it were pretty cut and dry. If you buy used and dont get the directions go to the Banks web site and down load them.
Good Luck,
Sarge
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