Buy Diesel Performance and Gas Performance Products Factory Direct: 800-601-8072

Banks Ram-Air® Intake SystemTruck-work

(For 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0L only) Banks Ram-Air Intake feeds your Chevy/GMC gas engine cooler, denser, outside air for greater power and fuel economy. Its performance is extensively tested and validated: in the computer, using Computational Fluid Dynamics software ... on the flowbench ... and later, on the vehicle. Let the others build and ship: Ram-Air's performance is proven, again and again! Note: This product does not fit '08 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks.

Banks Ram-Air for Chevy/GMC V8's

  • Enclosed housing keeps out hot, power-robbing engine air
  • Inhales cooler outside air for more power & MPG
  • Giant filter maximizes high-flow filtration
  • Helps engine run cooler
  • Accommodates engine movement
    • Prevents component damage
    • Extends service life
  • 5-year Warranty (filter: Lifetime Warranty)

Banks Ram-Air installed on a Chevy 6.0L


Gale talks with SpeedTV about what went into developing the
Ram-Air cold air intake system. (Note: Banks Super-Scoop
is not available for all applications.)

Air density testing chart comparing on-highway temperatures of Banks Ram-Air® Intake, Bullydog, Airaid, AFE Stage I & II, True Flow XDI, Volant & AEM Brute Force vs. stock

Chart comparing on-highway air density gain or loss of Banks Ram-Air® Intake, Bullydog, Airaid, AFE Stage I & II, True Flow XDI, Volant & AEM Brute Force vs. stock


6 Intakes Flunked Banks’ Density Test!

Cold, high-pressure ram-air flowing through Banks Ram-Air® Intake with optional Super-Scoop®

6 out of 7 “cold air” systems provide LESS air density to the turbo inlet than the stock system! That sucks for our competitors, because air density is the key to better performance. MORE DENSITY = MORE MPG AND HP.

It’s good to be dense, all right. Check out our density ad for an informative look at intake airflow, air temperature and air density, and how they all come together in the Banks Ram-Air Intake. Bankspower.com/density ad

Testing so good, it’s patented! Banks sets uncompromisingly high standards for testing. In fact, we were awarded an Engine Performance Evaluation patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Check it out: Engine Performance Evaluation: US Patent # 7,254,477


Overview Summary

We measured each intake’s effect on air density at the turbo compressor inlet. Intake temperatures will generally be higher than ambient conditions, but the more the system can duct cool air to the filter and preserve the cool temperature as the air is ducted to the turbo, the higher the air density will be. In addition, there will commonly be a pressure drop as air travels through the filter and the ducting due to any restriction that is introduced. If the design of the system can minimize the restriction and the pressure loss, air density will be preserved.

Test Setup

A 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Quad Cab Long Bed with the Cummins 5.9L engine and automatic transmission was used as the test vehicle. A data acquisition system was used to measure vehicle speed via GPS, along with multiple temperature thermistors and extremely accurate pressure transducers. The total vehicle weight was approximately 19,000 lbs. Tests were run in 2WD.

Testing was conducted on a moderate hill on the northbound CA-57 in the city of Pomona. Speed was maintained at 45 MPH until the vehicle was adjacent to a pre-determined start point on the road. At that point, the accelerator was fully depressed and the vehicle was allowed to accelerate while climbing the hill. Test data was observed at the same vehicle speed in all cases, with the engine at 2800 RPM, the point of peak engine power. This data point occurred between 60 and 90 seconds into the run—sufficient time to allow the engine to reach a stabilized operating condition.

Data Acquisition

Vehicle Speed, Engine RPM and Accelerator Pedal Position were logged to determine the load conditions and speeds. Temperature was measured using thermistors for increased accuracy. They were mounted to measure ambient temperature as well as temperatures at the filter and compressor inlets. Pressure transducers were used to measure pressure in the same locations. The intake system effect on air density was evaluated by comparing the temperature and pressure of the ambient air condition with the temperature and pressure of the air at the turbo compressor inlet.

All intake filtering systems will have some effect of diminished air density from ambient, including stock. The purpose of this evaluation is to compare this effect in relationship to the stock system. A replacement intake system is only valuable and effective if the intake air density percentage vs. ambient is greater than the air density percentage offered by the stock system.

All data presented assumes an ambient temperature of 77°F and ambient pressure of 29.24 inches of mercury, per SAE standards.


Test Results

Stock Intake

  • Elevated ambient air temp 17.7° F
  • Lowered air pressure 6.8%
  • Combined result: air density 90.2% of ambient

Banks Ram-Air
Replaces the stock setup with new housing, filter with 7.5” outlet, lid & ducting system made of cross-linked polyethylene & polypropylene, all the way to the inlet of the turbo compressor. Inlet to filter housing is sealed to the fender air duct with open-cell foam.

  • Elevated ambient temp just 12.3° F
  • Air pressure 3.9% lower than ambient
  • Combined result: air density 93.9% of ambient

Banks Ram-Air
with optional Super-Scoop

  • Elevated ambient temp only 7.0° F
  • Air pressure only 2.8% lower  
  • Combined result: air density 96.0% of ambient
    • The best temperature preservation of any of the 9 systems tested
    • Highest overall density of the 9 systems tested
    • Delivers enough density improvement over stock to increase the power output 28 more hp at the same EGT!

AEM Brute Force Intake
Replaces the stock setup with an aluminum tube, dry filter & a sheet metal heat shield. Filter has a 4” outlet which mates to the aluminum tube.

  • Elevated ambient temp 52.6° F (2nd highest increase of the group tested)
    • Could be attributed to the aluminum tube transferring underhood heat into the intake air
  • Lowered air pressure 1.8%
  • Combined result: air density 89.5%
    • 0.7% worse than stock
    • 6.5% worse than Ram-Air with Super-Scoop
  • Installation would result in a power loss

AFE Stage I and Stage II
Both systems use a filter with a 6” outlet. Stage I leaves the filter exposed with a sheet metal heat shield.

  • Elevated ambient temp 49.4° F
  • Lowered air pressure 2.7%
  • Combined result: air density 89.1% of ambient
    • 1.1% worse than stock
    • 6.9% worse than Banks
  • Installation would result in a power loss

Stage II has a fully enclosed housing with an integrated forward-facing scoop.

  • Elevated ambient temp 27.9° F
  • Pressure 3.0% less than stock
  • Combined result: air density 92.2% of ambient
  • 2.0% better than stock
  • 3.8% worse than Banks

Airaid Intake System
Quick-fit system filter mounts to an adapter that mates to the factory inlet duct with a 3.75” inside diameter.

  • Elevated ambient temp 26.8° F
  • Lowered air pressure 5.5%
  • Combined result: air density 90.1% of ambient
    • 0.1% less than stock
    • 5.9% worse than Banks
  • Installation would result in a power loss

Bullydog RFI
Sheet metal enclosure with an opening toward the factory fenderwell opening. Filter is mated to a section of elbow tubing that mates to the factory bellows & silencer.

  • Elevated ambient temp 19.3° F
  • Lowered air pressure 8.3% (only system tested that produced a lower effective air pressure than the stock system)
  • Combined result: air density 88.5% of ambient
    • 1.7% worse than stock
    • 7.5% worse than Banks
  • Installation would result in a power loss

Volant Cool Air Intake
Oval-shaped filter housed in an enclosed box with three openings: one at the bottom, one toward the front & one toward the fender.

  • Despite website claims that Volant is the “only true cool air design,” it elevated the ambient temp by 50.5° F—among the highest of the systems tested!
  • Lowered air pressure 3.2%
  • Combined result: air density 88.2% of ambient
    • 2.0% less than stock
    • 7.8% worse than Banks
  • Installation would result in a power loss


Bottom Line

Why on earth would anyone pay money for a product that kills power and mileage? It’s all about density — and  Banks Ram-Air delivers.

Check It Out—Gale tells American Muscle Car how to get more cool air into your engine for better performance!

bankspowertv.com/RamAir-part1

bankspowertv.com/RamAir-part2

ApplicationYear RangePart #
Ram-Air Intake System
Chevy/GMC 4.8, 5.3 & 6.0L
Trucks (w/o electric fan)		1999-07 41800
Ram-Air Intake System
Chevy/GMC 4.8, 5.3 & 6.0L
SUV (w/o electric fan)		1999-07 41801
Ram-Air Intake System
Chevy/GMC 4.8, 5.3 & 6.0L
Trucks (w/ electric fan)		1999-08 41802

Owners Manual(s)

Ram-Air Intake System (99-08) (Part #96882)
Chevy/GMC (4.8L, 5.3L & 6.0L) GasPickups & SUVs		 Tech_icon Download

Chevy gas intake

2009-11-20

Thanks for all you have done, Mr. Boardman. You have been a huge help. The cold air intake added bad ass horse power. I look forward to adding more power to my truck. Please say Hi to Mr. Gale Banks for me. Thanks.

Shawn H.
Wales, WI

Ram-Air development

Gale talks with SpeedTV about what went into developing the Ram-Air cold air intake system. (Note: Some components or designs shown may not be available for all applications.)

Accolades

“Banks has certainly earned his stripes, earning dual degrees in electronic and mechanical engineering, developing trendsetting products and setting a ton of Bonneville top speed records, some of which still stand.”
Fastest Street Car (Aug '03)