Posted: Nov 14 2004 at 8:01pm | IP Logged

Ok,

Here goes my second rant about my STAINLESS Banks exhaust system

As some of you may have read, I am unsatified with the HWY noise of the system, Banks offered NO solution or help.

SO I have ordered a $200 semi-custom (stainless) muffler from SpinTech mufflers here:http://www.spintechmufflers.com/spintech/spintechindex. asp It is supposed to flow as good as the top flowing mufflers yet is supposed to be QUIET! I will post a review/info when it arrives.

OK, that is the noise issue. When I went underneth the truck to measure for the new SpinTech muffler I noticed my STAINLESS Banks exhaust tubing was RUSTING!

I then took a magnet to the tubing and sure enough it stuck like glue, meaning the nickle content is low and the iron/carbon content is high - compared to good quality stainless steel.

I called Banks pretty much furious. The bottom line is that Banks (and many others) use Series 400 or 409 Stainless steel, which does rust, but not near as much as a regular steel system. Banks however does not even use stainless of any kind on the hanges, which are rusted already as well (the system is about 2 months old).

The good quality systems use 304 series stainless - and typically cost about $200 more.

After being on the phone with Banks for almost an hour, the "senior" tech guy agreed to replace the tubing - but with the same material. I told him that is great, but it's still gonna rust. I felt that They (and other exhaust companies) are falsely leading customers that these systems will be rust free forever with an all stainless system. This is false! I pointed out the photos on their web site and how shiney all the tubing looks etc. He had the balls to say that sometimes they spray/paint the tubing so the lighting looks better in the photos.

SO... bottom line boys and girls. If you are like me and were expecting your pretty little exhaust system to stay pretty - forget it... at least unless Banks starts using 304 stainless on their systems. So far the only company I have found that makes full 304 stainless systems is BORLA.

I have decided for now to keep the system since it does have a "limited lifetime warranty" and I have the Spintech muffler on it's way... I will update my exhaust comments soon after I receive the new muffler - anybody wanna buy a Banks muffler??!

Oh, here is a photo - notice the nice polished 304 stainless muffer next to the 409 stainless rusted tubing and non-stainless hanger. Also, I should mention that the tip is 304 stainless, and still shiney.

Arghhhhh

CJS

Posted: Nov 15 2004 at 12:02pm | IP Logged

What are you asking  for the Banks???

Posted: Nov 17 2004 at 12:53am | IP Logged

Hold yer horses folks, not ready to sell the Banks just yet....

IQ9,

The SpinTech I ordered is the biggest and "quietest" they have to offer... about 1/3 larger than the std size for a 3" in/out set-up and a new addition to their line-up. I am PRAYING it is quieter than the straight through Banks muffler... if not I'm really gettin in deeeeeep on this exhaust issue

It is supposed to be here Friday... which means friday night it will be installed!

CJS

CJS

Posted: Nov 17 2004 at 12:57am | IP Logged

IQ9,

Do you know if a 2 or 3 chamber muffler quieter than a straight through muffler? The Banks is literally a straight through muffler... like I had on my race motorcycle!

CJS

Posted: Nov 20 2004 at 3:27am | IP Logged

Hey Texas,

Well, unless you purchase a Borla Exhaust everyone else is using this so-so stainless... the 409 type.

It will probably last you a life time, but I swear these guys (not just Banks) are false advertising!

The best is the 304 stainless, which is what Borla uses... but expect to pay about $200 more...

NOISE UPDATE: I just installed my SpinTech muffler, and in short around town it's about the same noise level as the Banks, but on the HWY it seems MUCH quieter!.. thank GOD! I will post a full review after my 1500 mile road trip here next week!

Hope this helps!

CJS