Banks PowerPack System V-10

  Looking for information and feed back on the Banks PowerPack System Including: Banks Stinger System & Optional Ottomind for Ford 6.8L V-10 Class C Motorhome.

Meet Dr. Dave at the Charleston rally who has this setup on his new to him, low mile 2017 2910D PC. The previous owner is a 90 year old former NASA engineer.

In his own words, Dr. Dave says " Ideal conditions: Highway speed 62mph, flat and decent highway/interstate roads, no significant against the wind...Towing 11mpg / Not Towing 13 - 14mpg.

A July 21 2017 article in Motor Home magazine talks about an increase of 55.6hp, 69.5lb-ft torque, and 0.5 mpg but doesn't mention what that was in. The test model for the article was a 2017 Tiffin Allegro.

Anyone else have this set up on their PC rig? Pros and Cons (other than $$$) would be much appreciated.

Gale Banks Engineering
546 Duggan Av.
Azusa, CA 91702
626-969-9600
Bankspower.com

Safe Travels 

The V10 in that  Tiffin class A has the higher flowing 3 valve cylinder heads. Due to space constraints all E-series Fords  have the lower horsepower 2 valve V10.
Email  Banks and ask for a E-450 dyno chart.

Did some checking....The Stinger System SKU 49162 is available for my 2017 2552 for $949 which includes: high flow oiled air filter, tailpipe, flow-thru muffler, and assorted hangers, and heat shield. The Banks Power Pack (headers) are not available for the 2017 models, but may be available for earlier models.

The web site claims an increase of 32HP - 42lb/ft torque and up to 5% better mpg!

Anyone have first hand knowledge on the Banks System on a present or previous RV they would like to share?I

  I do not have first-hand knowledge (but have RV'd in 6 motorhomes since 1972 and reads gobs of stuff about Banks..)..and we just bought a 2017 2910D in Texas which we drove home to Custer, SD towing our 2012 Honda CRV. We just downsized from a 42 ft Diesel Pusher, but were very impressed with the power and acceleration of the V10. We had a V10 in a 2003 Class A which had horrible performance. It appears Ford has done a good job fixing those early problems. So maybe we are "spoiled" going from a 42 ft-er with rather slow acceleration (had a Cat engine..) to this "sporty" V10 but it certainly seemed adequate. It was nice setting the cruise on 60 and actually maintaining that up the hills (the diesel always slowed down, sometimes a lot).

  If you decide to do the Banks, depending on your PC's mileage/birth date, you might want to check if a Banks install can void any warranties. Should not, but you never know.

Hank
2017 PC 2910D

Our 2007 PC-2350 built on an E350-V10 has plenty of power along with decent fuel economy 10.5mpg not towing, and 9.2 towing (trip averages).  The E350 made in more recent years has more E450 equipment on it including the same rear differential gear ratio.  It makes the E350 a better chassis over-all, but taking a hit in fuel economy.

I once considered a Banks just because more is better, but decided to play it safest and stay stock.  I suppose if we had a 2950 or 3100 and towing heavy, I would be more intrigued with a Banks.

While you specifically asked about the Banks system, my question would be... What are you looking for? More power (easier hill climbs or pulling a trailer or TOAD), better gas mileage, better shift points for the transmission and/or a combination of the above?

More power can sometimes mean lower gas mileage, better gas mileage, in many cases, can mean driving slower...as in 60 vs 70.    Better shift points means a change to the engine/transmission computer setup and can feel like more power, but can also slightly improve gas mileage, etc.

What exactly are you looking for?

Did some checking....The Stinger System SKU 49162 is available for my 2017 2552 for $949 which includes: high flow oiled air filter, tailpipe, flow-thru muffler, and assorted hangers, and heat shield. The Banks Power Pack (headers) are not available for the 2017 models, but may be available for earlier models.

The web site claims an increase of 32HP - 42lb/ft torque and up to 5% better mpg!

Anyone have first hand knowledge on the Banks System on a present or previous RV they would like to share?I

Stinger System for $859.   Link -  https://5startuning.com/product-category/2016-2019-ford-6-8l-rv-class-c/2016-2019-ford-6-8l-rv-class-c-combo-kits/
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I looked at the Banks system, but found similar results in an easier, cheaper form.

I got the 5 Star engine tune. Plug in, re program. No parts to install, and easily returned to stock.

Paid $400 for an 'open box' special, and mine was for a 2006, the 2016+ shows $549

Link - https://5startuning.com/product/2016-2020-6-8l-f-53-rvmotorhome-5-star-tuning-x4-5-star-tune-preloaded-device/

40 extra HP at 3200, and 75 ft-lbs more torque at 3200. Measured at the wheel. Shifting reprogramming is also done, and increases driveability , IMO.  Similar to the results you state for the Stinger System, but not having to change parts. The transmission shifting better was worth the price - no more 2-gear downshifts.    As the load factor gets to .72, it unlocks the converter for more power, then at .75 it downshifts. I would like to see if that can be reprogrammed to .80 to delay the downshift.

I use the 'gauge' functions also, nice to see the trans temp. (And load factor like I used above!) With the trailer, I noticed the trans temp slowly climbing if I went 75-80mph as usual. (Up to 215* )  So I slowed to 70-75, and it went back down to 190* and stayed there. Might have saved me some trouble down the road by keeping things cool.  There was no drivability condition that showed the trans heating up, the gauge was the only indicator.


Suppose I could get better mileage at 62MPH,    but at 70-75MPH this last weeks trip with a #4K trailer it got me ~8MPG.  It gets ~10MPG at 75-80 MPH without the trailer.   A 5% improvement would be 1/2 MPG better, so tough to measure that one.

 

I'm very happy with the 5 Star tune. So much better performance and shifting that even my co-pilot noticed it. I've noticed no difference in gas mileage. Join iRV2 forum and you get a $50 discount.

And the 5 Star Tuning was what I was going to advise also.  I have one, took a 4,000 mile trip after I installed it.  Crossed the Rocky Mountains from Western Colorado eastward, then across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan and into Canada and back via the Michigan UP, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and back across the Colorado Rockies home.

I have taken that trip a lot of times prior to doing the 5 Star Tune and can't believe how much better it was with the 5 Star.   Not much change in gas mileage, but power and shifting were so much better!

Don

If you are going to buy a Five Star Tuner they always run a $100 off ad in the print version of Motorhome Magazine.

Thanks to Volkemon's first report I ordered the 5 Star right away. Same great results for towing power and shifting, negligible on mileage. Real added bonus is, less downshifting means a great reduction in cab noise. - Dick

Yes, have to vote for the 5 star. Had it both in the PC 2350 and now the Winne Class A. No, not any fuel savings, but performance is what you get.
But I did notice the airbox (air filter) and air intake to engine on this 2018 Class A matches the Banks system pretty much. So Ford must have changed
to a more efficient design?   On the Class A I don't see any reason to change the headers and muffler as they seem to be pretty straight flow design from Ford.