Banks iQ
- Thread starter Spuco
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I have not ran on but know a guy that has on on an 08 he likes it but it is just till his Warranty is up then it will be all out EFI-Live.
He will most likely keep it in the truck forever as it looks good and has some good data from it.
I have not ran on but know a guy that has on on an 08 he likes it but it is just till his Warranty is up then it will be all out EFI-Live.
He will most likely keep it in the truck forever as it looks good and has some good data from it.
PowerPDA to Banks iQ...
I decided to try transitioning from my Banks PowerPDA platform, that controls my Six-Gun in my Sierra K3500 LBZ to the Banks iQ. The PowerPDA has served me very well, and it has performed flawlessly. Like some of you who run a Six-Gun or Ottomind/Economind system, I wanted to see how much more capability the Banks iQ controller platform has over the PowerPDA. But, I was cautious, even reluctant since I wasn't sure what needed to be changed to operate the new iQ. I was assured that it was a simple plug-and-play proposition. So, here is my short journey in making the switch from the PowerPDA to the Banks iQ...and it was literally a couple of clicks. It honestly took me 7 minutes to get the iQ system up and running - 6 minutes was spent tucking the wires behind the dash bezel. I'll post more about the experiences with the Banks iQ as I put some miles on it and go through its features.
For those who currently run the PowerPDA, I'm sure this looks quite familiar...
Here are the Banks iQ components that were included in the package:
the Banks iQ display, AC charger, USB-to-USB2 adapter, Bridge Module, Universal mount, Y-12 Pin cable to USB female and headphone jack.
Here is the most difficult part - plugging in the RJ12 (telephone-type) cable into the bridge module...it's directional, so you can't get it wrong.
Here it is temporarily mounted for the photo...more to come.
I decided to try transitioning from my Banks PowerPDA platform, that controls my Six-Gun in my Sierra K3500 LBZ to the Banks iQ. The PowerPDA has served me very well, and it has performed flawlessly. Like some of you who run a Six-Gun or Ottomind/Economind system, I wanted to see how much more capability the Banks iQ controller platform has over the PowerPDA. But, I was cautious, even reluctant since I wasn't sure what needed to be changed to operate the new iQ. I was assured that it was a simple plug-and-play proposition. So, here is my short journey in making the switch from the PowerPDA to the Banks iQ...and it was literally a couple of clicks. It honestly took me 7 minutes to get the iQ system up and running - 6 minutes was spent tucking the wires behind the dash bezel. I'll post more about the experiences with the Banks iQ as I put some miles on it and go through its features.
For those who currently run the PowerPDA, I'm sure this looks quite familiar...
Here are the Banks iQ components that were included in the package:
the Banks iQ display, AC charger, USB-to-USB2 adapter, Bridge Module, Universal mount, Y-12 Pin cable to USB female and headphone jack.
Here is the most difficult part - plugging in the RJ12 (telephone-type) cable into the bridge module...it's directional, so you can't get it wrong.
Here it is temporarily mounted for the photo...more to come.
I love the modern touch screen and icons etc in a Banks system..
But I wish it would perform like EFILive, or have the same features..
We always want it all...
But I wish it would perform like EFILive, or have the same features..
We always want it all...
I'm wondering what happened to the software that I was told by banks reps would be just like EFILive.
Are you referring to the SpeedTuner? I believe that will be out soon. The nice thing about the Banks systems are the plug-and-play/self-contained capability and built-in drivetrain safety systems. I'm one of those owners who uses my truck exclusively as my daily driver and tow vehicle (I don't race my truck), so not having to use my laptop to change tunes or monitor drivetrain telemetry, and the safeguards are a significant peace-of-mind features for me - a few less things to worry about when I'm hauling my race car across the Southwest. However, if I was racing my truck, that would be a completely different story.
I started out with the Banks 6-Gun and PDA Bundle (intake-exhaust-module-wastegate) with my LB7 truck. The system worked great.
Buyers Beware: You can nuke a transmission with the Banks system!
Banks will make a stock tranny last a little longer, but it will also mask a transmission that is having troubles because of the defueling. The issue I had was the tranamission guy would plug in his scanner to the ODBII port and all the power levels would go back to stock because the PDA lost signal to the Banks Module. I would pick up the truck and plug the PDA back in and would slip the tranny. We finally had to take a ride together with the PDA plugged in to replicate my problems.
Having said all that, the systems do work great. I moved to EFILive when I had to put in a new CP3 and injectors. I found a used II mod CP3 pump that required EFILive to tune the idle. I wish I would have just started with EFILive and the DSP5 switch in the first place. I would have saved a lot of $$.
If you are looking for gauges that read the engine systems from the ODBII port, Aeroforce Intercepters work really good and will take 2 analog inputs per gauge for EGT, Boost Pressure (over the stock 35 psi limit-otherwise use the stock MAP sensor and save an analog input), drive pressure, low side fuel pressure, etc. The nice thing about using the electronic transmitters is you can also log everything you see on your gauges when EFILive is plugged into the ODBII port instead of the Aeroforce gauges by using the analog inputs for EFILive.
I am pretty sure that you could get EFILive DSP5 (with tunes depending upon the vendor), exhaust, intake, and Aeroforce gauges with transmitters for less $$ than buying any Banks system and at the end of the day have more flexibility in the system.
Just my 2 cents.
Buyers Beware: You can nuke a transmission with the Banks system!
Banks will make a stock tranny last a little longer, but it will also mask a transmission that is having troubles because of the defueling. The issue I had was the tranamission guy would plug in his scanner to the ODBII port and all the power levels would go back to stock because the PDA lost signal to the Banks Module. I would pick up the truck and plug the PDA back in and would slip the tranny. We finally had to take a ride together with the PDA plugged in to replicate my problems.
Having said all that, the systems do work great. I moved to EFILive when I had to put in a new CP3 and injectors. I found a used II mod CP3 pump that required EFILive to tune the idle. I wish I would have just started with EFILive and the DSP5 switch in the first place. I would have saved a lot of $$.
If you are looking for gauges that read the engine systems from the ODBII port, Aeroforce Intercepters work really good and will take 2 analog inputs per gauge for EGT, Boost Pressure (over the stock 35 psi limit-otherwise use the stock MAP sensor and save an analog input), drive pressure, low side fuel pressure, etc. The nice thing about using the electronic transmitters is you can also log everything you see on your gauges when EFILive is plugged into the ODBII port instead of the Aeroforce gauges by using the analog inputs for EFILive.
I am pretty sure that you could get EFILive DSP5 (with tunes depending upon the vendor), exhaust, intake, and Aeroforce gauges with transmitters for less $$ than buying any Banks system and at the end of the day have more flexibility in the system.
Just my 2 cents.
I got to do some initial set up and operation today. The Banks iQ is very intuitive and easy to navigate...I was a little concerned that there would be additional steps to go through for each function since there were more capabilities, but not the case...it was very similar to navigating through the functions on the PDA, except it is all touch screen - no toggle button. The display is crisp and clear. I am more of an analog gauge person for most of the values (I am one of those who tends to do calculations in my head and get distracted by digital gauges while driving), but it is really nice to have a combination with a couple in digital format, such as the EGT for shut down purposes and trans slip for obvious reasons and, for me, boost when I'm on my long freeway drives and trying to keep the boost at ~4 psi for fuel mileage reasons. So, the five-value display is a real plus for me.
Here is a short video navigating through the vehicle code screens...I have new found respect for those POV guys...trying to keep my hand low so the camera wouldn't focus on it, but couldn't avoid it at the end, so it got a little blurry.
[YOUTUBE]alIruIUHgwU[/YOUTUBE]
I'll navigate through the GPS functions next.
Here is a short video navigating through the vehicle code screens...I have new found respect for those POV guys...trying to keep my hand low so the camera wouldn't focus on it, but couldn't avoid it at the end, so it got a little blurry.
[YOUTUBE]alIruIUHgwU[/YOUTUBE]
I'll navigate through the GPS functions next.
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I have the IQ installed. Like mentioned, it takes less than 10 minutes to do the upgrade from the Palm to the IQ.
I have noticed that you do looks the ability to change the Speed Loader settings. (miss that function).
They are still working on the first update. From what I have got out of Banks, the first update is going to be to the gauge background colors.
Later there is going to be updates to make a fully programmable tuner.
After asking many questions to the tech's at Banks, it appears that the IQ has built in Bluetooth and WiFi.
I have noticed that you do looks the ability to change the Speed Loader settings. (miss that function).
They are still working on the first update. From what I have got out of Banks, the first update is going to be to the gauge background colors.
Later there is going to be updates to make a fully programmable tuner.
After asking many questions to the tech's at Banks, it appears that the IQ has built in Bluetooth and WiFi.
From what they told me 2 years ago. It was supposed to be like the IQ but with all the capabilities of EFI. VERY user friendly. Increase this and decrease that without having to find tables and so on. That is what they told me then. And it was supposed to be out by Christmas that year. (2008)
I still have a pda mount. Sent the PDA back to Banks for credit though. PM me if you want the mount.