Opinions Wanted - Banks Six Gun Diesel Tuner and Banks iQ

My Ford dealer has recommended a Banks Six Gun Diesel Tuner and Banks iQ system to improve fuel mileage. Having more HP isn't a priority for me. I'm more interested in saving on my fuel costs now that Diesel is about $1.05 per litre... I think 1 gallon is equal to 4.54 litres, so that would be over $4.50 per gallon.

My wife drives the truck to work each day which is about 40 miles round trip and highway driving (I have a 150 mile round trip to work, so we'd be in the poor house if I drove the truck each day ). We probably average about 2500 miles pulling the Wildcat each year.

Is this something I should consider? We'll probably have the truck another 5 years and average around 20K-25K miles per year.

Any thoughts on the Banks products and whether or not I should consider purchasing this would be welcomed as this subject is something I know nothing about. Thanks.

An imperial gallon is 4.546 litres. A US gallon is 3.78 litres.

I've heard more praise for the DP brand tuners than any other just because you get personal service from the company and I've never heard anyone complain about the performance of the chip's.
Theres a few on here that have that brand if you do a search or look in this section of the forum for it.

Come across the pond and sample the delights of our fuel prices.
I am now paying £5.54 a imperial gallon, ($7.42 per U.S. gallon) plus on the 4 January it goes up by another 2 1/2% due to a vat increase.
Sean

Our solution was to purchase a Ford Focus. 33 mpg at 70 mph on the hwy. Of course it takes a lot of gas to balance out the cost of the vehicle, license, registration, insurance, and smog, but it is only money..

North7 wrote:My Ford dealer has recommended a Banks Six Gun Diesel Tuner and Banks iQ system to improve fuel mileage.

As someone wrote in a recent post, tuners are overrated when it comes to MPG increases. For HP increases they can't be beat, but MPG gains seem to be negligable. Most of the guys writing on the TurboDieselRegister forum support this. Sorry to pour coldwater on the idea.

I have the Edge programmer. For towing it dose everything i need it to do,adds about MPG 1-2 , And 3mpg If the wind is at your back. I don't know of anyone getting that 5+mpg that chips claim,

desertcat wrote: I don't know of anyone getting that 5+mpg that chips claim,

I think Banks only claims 10% MPG improvement. My TV came used with a Banks Sport so I have no information on improvement in mileage, but FYI in 2009 MPG towing averaged 12.6 on about 8,000 miles of towing.

My thoughts are that the boost in power is what produces the MPG improvement. This happens because you spend less time out of high gear.

I get from 9-12 towing, with the Edge.I have to keep a eye on the EGT when pulling in hill country on highway , in the mountain it down shift & the EGT dosen't go as high. I like the monitor part of the programmer. I think most of the good programmer like Edge, Banks & other are adding monitoring, defueling & other features, They do give you more horse under the hood & help with MPG. But in the end I think it how you tow that help with the MPG 65 or 75 mph.

This seems quite a hot topic at the moment (programmers/ tuners).
Would the manufacturer of the vehicle not put these on as standard.
The thing I would worry most about is the associated problems that arise from there use. Over here it voids the warranty on cars and trucks. I could not afford to damage or take the chance on engine problems on my truck, so I just live with the power that the engine gives me. I can keep up with most traffic, and blow heavy trucks away if needed. Another view is how much it cost to install, how long it takes to recoup the cost, 1 mile a gallon saving but at a installation cost of $### could take years to get your money back. I also try to drive with a very light right foot so this might help on the mileage I get. Just my 2 pence worth, for what it's worth.
Sean

According to my reading on the TurboDieselRegister forum, many of my compatriot RAM CTD owners have experienced trouble with the dealer once they found out that a tuner had been added. Evidently the ECM can detect and record the presence of one of these little jewels and if warrantee work is being done the Tech's computer can identify it right away.

The jist of the conversations is that once a tuner had been added, you become your own warrantee company.

Mads Electronics make the Smarty tuners for Cummins. They claim the Smarty is not detectable but I am waiting until my warranty is done before I add a tuner. I do like what is said about the Smarty Jr. and I have not read anywhere, including TDR, that anyone said it left a footprint but I am still sceptical. Actually I am pretty happy with the power and mileage I get with the stock engine. The engine and powertrain will probably last longer with out the extra power anyway.
If anyone is intrested the web site is http://smarty-jr.com/

IF your under warranty. I would side with you. My problem was I was out of warranty & ford was reflashing the reflash on the ECM & all I wanted was the truck I drove off the lot which, pulled great until the reflash started. I am at 80K with no problem & for a PS 6L doing great. It may be just me , but that soft shift they where trying to sale was a mistake, so they limit the HP to save the tranny. Programmer smooth the shifting out , now my tranny Temp runs 150-160F pulling. Best I can tell it less powertrain wear. I keep it in the low setting & everything work fine. I'm a Ford Truck Man, But they All most lost me on this one. The 6L when it run right give great fuel Mpg & pull good. When it not it's become a pain in the butt like Ford Found out.

Thanks everyone for the replies and opinions. Based on what I've heard here, I think I'll forget about it. The truck has lots to power to pull the Cat and it sounds like I wouldn't be gaining a whole lot for the price.

Thanks again for the input.