Does anyone have any tuning tips for the Banks Six-Gun?

Im running it with PDA, Monster exhaust and Ram Air on an LLY w/285's.

I really love the power, just seems a tad sluggish off the line (in all settings)

It pulls real strong 2nd through 5th on settings 2-4.

Shifting seems a bit harsh on 5 and 6, mostly 6.

I'd love to hear some tips as well. I get mine on Thursday along with the Technicooler and Ram Air Intake. Truck already has their 4" single exhaust. I can't wait!

I left mine with how it was out of the box and I am happy, wish I could help you out.

You'll have to let me know how that technicooler works out.

I'd love to hear some tips as well.

Anyone?

I need to know What Version software You are Running. 1.41 / 1.5 / 1.7 /1.8.

1.5, on factory settings for all levels.

Watch your tranny if you mess with the fuel limit on shifts functions. I typically run mine on settings 1-3 for daily driving, and only on 5/6/SL when I'm WOT.

The sluggishness off the line is a turbo thing. Leave the stoplight under 2k rpms if you want to feel her pull. Make sure you're in 4 high though, or your ass end will pass you lol. And something I just found out is to make sure your torsion bars are lowered and put some tie rod sleeves on it before you launch in 4 high. I never broke or bent anything in the front end, but I'm probably in the minority here. Also, launch with tow/haul on as that will help with your shift points alot.

When I'm racing all my settings are at max.

Daily Driving my fuel limits on shifts are all 75%, max fuel in all gears are 100%, accelorater pump is 100%.

EGT limit/Low coolant/high temp/etc limits are all maxed out all the time as I watch those numbers all the time anyway. They're pretty redundant for me since if something did get too high I would just be pulling over and shutting the truck off.

Lol I don't know many people who look at their idiot light that says "Low Coolant" and think "hrmm, I need to race this mustang right now..."

accellerator pump to 200%!

The sluggishness off the line is a turbo thing. Leave the stoplight under 2k rpms if you want to feel her pull. Make sure you're in 4 high though, or your ass end will pass you lol. And something I just found out is to make sure your torsion bars are lowered and put some tie rod sleeves on it before you launch in 4 high.

NA, as I have a 2WD

accellerator pump to 200%!

Done.

I was just looking for tips on a quicker launch and smoother shifts. Im already looking into uprading the tranny.

still, leave under boost (try a lower rpm if 2k is too high, just experiment with it) if you want to feel it pull.

THE TECH- hows it run with the technicooler, Im thinkin about getting one just curious if its worth the money. Also, what setting are you guys leaving your tuner on for everyday driving, and what kind of mileage are you seeing in that setting?

I like to leave mine on level 6 just because I dont think the allison likes it when you switch the power on it. It seems to run better if you just stick with one level. I turn it to level three when I tow (I dont even tow heavy loads though). I tried changing levels when I first got it. I would be at a stop light in lvl 4 and a mustang would pull up and Id be like shit! and kick it up to 6 and it would shift all slow sluggishly and defuel BIG TIME.

I dont really think the higher tunes hurt MPG that much if you use your foot carefully. I try to keep my boost 10psi when accelerating and egts below 700 (4-5psi) on the highway...seems to give me the best mileage

(Don't know exact mileage because of uncorrected speedo and DIC is off)
But I see the improvement on the DIC even though it is incorrect.

still, leave under boost (try a lower rpm if 2k is too high, just experiment with it) if you want to feel it pull.

just looking at sig...why do you need a boost stick with banks...I can push 36 psi in SL or are you just wanting to run in the 40psi range or something? Maybe its different for LLY?

just looking at sig...why do you need a boost stick with banks...I can push 36 psi in SL or are you just wanting to run in the 40psi range or something? Maybe its different for LLY?

Having run the Banks PDA for almost 30k miles i think it could use a little more air, IMHO. Change the filter, swiss the stock airbox and give it a little more boost see if it pulls a little harder, it should.

Without a trans it's kinda like pissin' up a rope though...

get rid of it and go to a PPE or EFI live as fast as you can. Dont make the same mistake as I did. You wont be dissapionted:rippedhan

get rid of it and go to a PPE or EFI live as fast as you can. Dont make the same mistake as I did. You wont be dissapionted:rippedhan
Yeah exactly as I keep saying, if you're only going to do the exhaust/intake/chip route... Banks is ok. If you're going to get bit by the bug and want more... EFI is probably the best so you can constantly change things as your build changes.

I really wish someone told me that ahead of time, so I keep saying that over and over again.

just looking at sig...why do you need a boost stick with banks...I can push 36 psi in SL or are you just wanting to run in the 40psi range or something? Maybe its different for LLY?

Because I upgraded the injectors.

Besides that, my max recorded boost according to Banks is 35 psi. I figure with the boost stick tricking the computer it could really be as high as 38 to 42. Bottom line, I need all the air I can get at the moment, which is why I "customized" the AFE.

oh ok, I think im seeing high boost becuase of my wheel and tire combo...before the tires i would only see 32 max recorded on lvl 6 now I can see 34 on lvl 6...never tried SL until after I got the tires, so can't compare there.

Hey by the way, your sig says under "Planned mods:" twin CP3's, and a larger turbo... I would seriously consider new connecting rods first. Just my 2c though

THE TECH- hows it run with the technicooler, Im thinkin about getting one just curious if its worth the money. Also, what setting are you guys leaving your tuner on for everyday driving, and what kind of mileage are you seeing in that setting?


For the time and money I spent on the intercooler, I don't know if I would recommend it. It may allow more boost and hp, but normally a larger intercooler will increase turbo lag.

I like to leave mine on level 6 just because I dont think the allison likes it when you switch the power on it. It seems to run better if you just stick with one level. I turn it to level three when I tow (I dont even tow heavy loads though). I tried changing levels when I first got it. I would be at a stop light in lvl 4 and a mustang would pull up and Id be like shit! and kick it up to 6 and it would shift all slow sluggishly and defuel BIG TIME.

I dont really think the higher tunes hurt MPG that much if you use your foot carefully. I try to keep my boost 10psi when accelerating and egts below 700 (4-5psi) on the highway...seems to give me the best mileage

(Don't know exact mileage because of uncorrected speedo and DIC is off)
But I see the improvement on the DIC even though it is incorrect.

According to the manual though, you need to let the tranny learn the new settings for 5-10 miles before switching to another setting.

Posted this in the wrong area for 4th Gen trons so posting here.

Not sure if I'll get a response from Banks on my question which was basically," In talking with a vendor I asked about what feels like turbo lag from take off. He mentioned that Banks does this so it doesn't smoke as bad". Would I respond to a question like that if I were a Banks salesman and expected my answer to get posted here? Probably not. Suicide. But it does make me wonder if I should find other electronics. The lag on acceleration has been my only concern and it's more of an irritation than anything else. Saving parts was pointed out to me when I purchased my sytem so I should have read between the lines on that one. But overall quality seems good to me especially the CAI compared to other intakes that run just a one piece intake pipe. I noticed a little dust on the engine intake when I pulled the old system off. I'm getting a little off track with intakes though.

Would the Boost stick take care of the bottom end lag or is it an LLY versus LBZ/LMM kinda thing? Test drove both and bottom end response was very impressive compared to my Banks system.

Noticed in SL mode that my engine becomes erratic like its running out of fuel. Is it feasible that the Banks 6 Gun in SL would need more fuel than the stock system produces. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this and if lift pumps are required to keep fuel going at this level. Then EGT becomes an issue. Guess need to check methane/water injection for that or aftermarket intercooler which has been touted by some as the fix all. Others say this is BS. Thanks

I found the best settings on my LB7 were Banks PDA on factory settting with a 65hp tow tune from the predator. Better have a tranny though! The Banks has always been killer everywhere off the line, even moreso than when I just ran the predator on a higher tune without the banks. The predator sure fills the gap in the low end though for some reason Just my opinion and what I like.

Hmm and I just thought it was my truck. So is there any way to get rid of the horrible hesitation when you punch it from a dead stop?

if you slam the pedal to the floor on a high tune, it will choke for a second. The motor responds better to a quick roll-on if you aren't doing a boosted launch...if you've already built boost just hammer it and it'll take off like a rocket if you hook up.

Does anyone have any tuning tips for the Banks Six-Gun?

Im running it with PDA, Monster exhaust and Ram Air on an LLY w/285's.

I really love the power, just seems a tad sluggish off the line (in all settings)

It pulls real strong 2nd through 5th on settings 2-4.

Shifting seems a bit harsh on 5 and 6, mostly 6.

I bought my 2005 crew 3500 with the banks system and was told by the previous owner that 4 was the best boost for fuel milage but use 5 in mountains when pulling my toy hauler. Still only get 13.5 miles to gallon empty and 10 when pulling.

I bought my 2005 crew 3500 with the banks system and was told by the previous owner that 4 was the best boost for fuel milage but use 5 in mountains when pulling my toy hauler. Still only get 13.5 miles to gallon empty and 10 when pulling.

The motor responds better to a quick roll-on if you aren't doing a boosted launch...if you've already built boost just hammer it and it'll take off like a rocket if you hook up.

Pretty much what I have come to learn.

I was told not to use a boost of 6 unless I was in four wheel drive and off pavment.

I was told not to use a boost of 6 unless I was in four wheel drive and off pavment.

say that again? Fwd boosted launches are ok if you have tie rod sleeves and your torsion bars are lowered so that your shortshafts are at a straight angle.

I was told not to use a boost of 6 unless I was in four wheel drive and off pavment.

FYI... Banks literature recommends towing at level 3 if you didn't get the info with the truck. Not towing I was keeping mine at 6 and just take it easy until I want the extra juice. I too have read about weak sleeves causing big problems in 4wd. IMHO, it seems like running at level 6 in the dirt would be a bit extreme but it depends on how you want to drive but with a dually and plastic fenders, I haven't taken mine offroad much. There's a pic somewhere of a guy doing a sled pull and his wheels are both turned in from the power. I need to swap over to these as well. I also need to research drag racing in 4wd and if you have to rapidly switch from 4wd to 2wd after the launch or if the front diff handles a full run without problems and just leave it in 4wd until the end of the track.

you can leave it in 4wd. It wont switch out of 4 untill you let off anyway.

Fwd boosted launches are ok if you have tie rod sleeves and your torsion bars are lowered so that your shortshafts are at a straight angle.

As opposed to backward boosted launches???:Wedgie::D. Why does the phrase, "GET A LIFE" come to mind.

Cheers