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Old 04-25-2005, 07:54 AM   #1
Montana_2428
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Banks performance; 2004.5 Dodge 24V

Anyone using the Banks (black box) performance / chip programmer? The only one I can find for the H.O Cummings (the 04.5 new engine) is Banks.

Anyone out there using this and is it worth the investment? I am leaving on 15K mile, 3 month vacation and am looking for a little relief on the fuel costs. Leaving in one week, would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

Don and Michele
 
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Old 04-25-2005, 08:10 AM   #2
Countryfolks
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This is one of 2 that I,ve looked at. The other is the Edge Juice.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/d...threadid=63677

Quadzilla has a tow only option that interests me the most. These are on sale this month through the site and one of the posters.
There is also the TST, but it may be a little too much.

This site has a lot of info on it, you have to winnow it out IAW your goals. There seems to be mostly folks that have a tendency to want to race, but the info is there.

Skip
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Old 04-25-2005, 12:19 PM   #3
kwbosch
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by thehays

Anyone using the Banks (black box) performance / chip programmer? The only one I can find for the H.O Cummings (the 04.5 new engine) is Banks.

Anyone out there using this and is it worth the investment? I am leaving on 15K mile, 3 month vacation and am looking for a little relief on the fuel costs. Leaving in one week, would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

Don and Michele
I talked for a long time with the Banks reps at the Pamona, Ca. RV show last summer. They finally conceded that if you are after increased mileage; add a non restrictive exhaust and intake. If you're after performance, add their Diesel Tuner. The Tuner only pumps more fuel (more power, less MPG) through the engine. They also admitted that adding their Tuner will turn a million mile motor into a 300K mile motor. All that additional HP and torque has it's price. If you still want to go that route, don't forget to beef up your tranny. In the stock configuration, it will not be up to the incresed stress the engine puts out. I'd ask this question on the Turbo Diesel Register for further clarification.
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/

Ken
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Old 04-25-2005, 12:30 PM   #4
Montana_2428
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Thanks for the replies. Ken, you verified my suspicion. I never thought for a moment that these upgrades wouldn't come without a major drawback. You would think that Cummings would build the power into the engine in the first place if it came without a price. My diesel still has a long way to go for breakin, only 6000 miles on it.

When I put plans together for my trip I planned $2.50 a gallon @ 8 miles per. Think I'm going to beat the 8 per but will loose on the price per gallon.

Thanks again for the information, think I will stick with the stock product as it is hard to beat!

Don and Michele
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Old 04-25-2005, 02:23 PM   #5
zzuroweste1
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I just got done upgrading my truck with the following.

ASE Intake 10 HP
DMI Exhaust and got rid of the cat converter 12 HP
EDGE EZ Module 65 HP
EDGE Juice Module
EDGE Attitude Sytem Monitor 125 HP

With all of these I added 212 HP and I am up to 900 FT Lbs of torque...this 2004.5 dodge has plent of power now...I will be adding a performance clutch, turbo with wastegate, and a jake brake in the next few months...can't be undernourished on the road.

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Old 04-26-2005, 03:11 AM   #6
Chester
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Something everyone should keep in mind is that adding a power module to your engine will void warranty if the dealer can link a failure to it. Believe me they will try their best to establish a link.
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Old 04-26-2005, 03:53 AM   #7
zzuroweste1
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quote:Originally posted by Chester

Something everyone should keep in mind is that adding a power module to your engine will void warranty if the dealer can link a failure to it. Believe me they will try their best to establish a link.
While this is true...and it is...you can disconnect the edge chips in ten minutes and there is no way they can tell. just me two cents
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Old 04-26-2005, 09:42 AM   #8
kwbosch
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Don and Michele,

One of the contingencies we specified before buying our Montana was, “if my truck could pull it up the Cajon Pass” I-15 between San Bernardino and the Upper Desert. It’s 6-7% grades for around 10 miles.
My little Dodge hauled the Montana (with full fresh water) up the pass along with myself my wife and two rather LARGE salesmen at 65 mph with throttle to spare. Mine weighs 2000lbs more than yours. I don’t think your going to have too much trouble even on steep grades.

HTH,

Ken
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Old 04-26-2005, 11:45 AM   #9
zzuroweste1
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by kwbosch

Don and Michele,

One of the contingencies we specified before buying our Montana was, “if my truck could pull it up the Cajon Pass” I-15 between San Bernardino and the Upper Desert. It’s 6-7% grades for around 10 miles.
My little Dodge hauled the Montana (with full fresh water) up the pass along with myself my wife and two rather LARGE salesmen at 65 mph with throttle to spare. Mine weighs 2000lbs more than yours. I don’t think your going to have too much trouble even on steep grades.

HTH,
that's beautiful...as I didn't have any concern the mighty cummins wouldn't handle the task at hand....I am still young and dumb and of course like all of the power I can get.
Ken
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Old 04-27-2005, 03:55 AM   #10
Chester
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Regarding unplugging a chip..my understanding is that the computer module on the truck records codes indicating the presence of a chip. Also if you put in a chip you should install a pyrometer to monitor EGT. Presence of one of these guages would be a red flag to a service man. I've certainly had the urge to add power but in reality I've found my truck had enough power to handle the Montana without strain.
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Old 04-27-2005, 05:04 AM   #11
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In my opinion, ALL diesel trucks should come stock from the factory with a pyro guage or a DIC readout option. If the driver could monitor a sudden rise in EGT's, then they could "back-off" of the throttle a bit. Once the on-board computer senses a EGT "red-line" condition and goes into the limp mode or de-fueling mode, a problem already took place. Another 100 bucks tacked onto a $40k truck won't kill sales...!
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Old 04-27-2005, 03:06 PM   #12
Chester
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I'm with you on that one Tom. Pyros should come as part of the guage pkg. They are a pain to install afterwards. Drilling and tapping the exhaust manifold is not my idea of a good time.
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Old 04-28-2005, 03:20 PM   #13
Native Tex
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Hey guys just to add my two cents about the after market add ons.....I went the full Banks package on my previous Power Stroke 7.3L. I added everthing that was offer and achieved a great deal more power and torque. I also added about $6 grand to the overall cost of my vehicle. I did not achieve any longevity and gained a lot of added noise and chinks that no one could find. My kit was installed by a Power Stoke specialist who worked to find and solve my concerns. I gained a lot of power, increased the stopping, and made the tranny work like something totally different, but as you can see, I ended up buying an 05 Ford to be really happy. I can say they did give me about $5 grand over book value because of all the add ons, but I was glad to let her go. I was afraid that the tranny and or rear end was about to blow out for good. It is about as easy to buy a newer truck with the technology already applied.
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Old 04-29-2005, 05:46 AM   #14
Montana_1892
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hi, to zzurowestel, hope you don't have to liscense in Wash, Cal, or the other states that inspect for cat convertors, or try to sell it there or it will cost you big bucks to put it back and pay the fines
we just got a new '05, 3500 dually, 6 spd, and it out performs the '01 Ram 2500 (we traded in), 5 spd, that had a Banks Big Hoss chip and 4 inch performance exhaust, both on the hills and mileage.
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Old 04-29-2005, 07:18 AM   #15
zzuroweste1
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quote:Originally posted by grey-ghost

hi, to zzurowestel, hope you don't have to liscense in Wash, Cal, or the other states that inspect for cat convertors, or try to sell it there or it will cost you big bucks to put it back and pay the fines
we just got a new '05, 3500 dually, 6 spd, and it out performs the '01 Ram 2500 (we traded in), 5 spd, that had a Banks Big Hoss chip and 4 inch performance exhaust, both on the hills and mileage.
Totally True...luckily since I am in the military and have a home of residence in Missouri I don't have that problem...as in most states...if you don't reside in the state for more than six calander months you are not required to have an emisions test...it is kind of a nice perk.
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