Hey guys, i was wondering what kind of results you guys are seeing with the banks power pack. I have a 97 f-250 5sp truck that is bone stock and was looking at this kit and a bbk fpr and throttle body, along with a chip. Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

I have a 1997 F350 460 crew cab auto 4x4 that I purchased new. It is a CA model with mass air and currently has 97,000 miles on it. I had the Banks PowerPack headers, exhaust, TransCommand and air filter installed years ago at the Banks headquarters in SoCal and have been happy with the way the truck pulls. I never had the truck dyno'd before or after the installation, so I cannot actually quantify the results, but I could pull the same trailer up the same grade 10 miles per hour faster after the installation. I know that the Banks kit is fairly expensive, but the headers are high quality and I have never had a problem with them. I recently purchased a heavier (12000 lbs loaded?) fifth wheel and have been trying to improve the performance even more. I did a new tune-up, 180 degree thermostat and the BBK throttle body and although the engine runs great, it did not increase the torque. I am going to replace the timing chain, water pump, etc. this summer and am going to have The Mad Porter clean up the heads and grind a new cam for me while I am at it. I only use the truck to haul dirt bikes and to pull the fifth wheel, so I don't want to buy a new truck. Yeah the 460 guzzles some fuel, but the truck is paid for and I like it.

 

could you feel any difference at all after the tune up and throttle body. im just trying to do as much research as i can before i start ordering parts. the only thing my truck has done to it is the air restricters cut off and ive got the initial timing set at 14. thanks for the reply.

 

The BBK throttle body added better throttle response and a small seat of the pants horsepower increase, but no more torque to get over the mountain pass. Installation of the throttle body was easy, but I had to drill out the bushings on the throttle position sensor to give me the proper voltage reading. I read here that I did not need to adjust the t.p.s. voltage, but it refused to idle correctly until I did so. I also had to adjust the idle set screw multiple times until I had the right combination of idle rpm and drivability. The tune-up (plugs, cap, rotor,wires, fuel filter, clean/oil K&N air filter) had the engine idling and running "smoother", but nothing magical. If I had to do it again, I would have saved the $350+ cost of the BBK throttle body and put that cash towards the heads/cam. My needs may be different than yours, so you may be happy with the headers/free flow exhaust, an air intake and maybe a chip.

 

i agree with you on the throttle body cost vs performance deal. i think ill put the 350 towards my headers and exhaust first. thanks for the input. i appreciate it.