Gale Banks Engineering Monster Exhaust System
Jason Lancaster | Jan 20, 2010 | Comments 8
There are a lot of performance companies out there hawking parts for your Toyota Tundra, but not all of them boast the kind of history that Gale Banks Engineering can claim. Headquartered in Azusa, California the man behind the company is Gale Banks himself, a legendary figure in the world of automotive performance who began setting records with his outlandish vehicles in the 1960’s. Not only did Banks compete in NHRA drag racing, but he also tackled powerboat racing and top speed titles on the Bonneville salt flats.
Motorsports icon Gale Banks
Staying at the helm of his own company longer than most other go-fast magnates of his era, Gale Banks has seen his vehicles top 275 miles per hour in street trim, while specialized record-setting models have gone as fast as 432 miles per hour on their way into the record books. Along the way, Gale Banks Engineering has contributed much to the field of at-the-limit design, particularly with regards to turbochargers and diesel engines. The world of diesels naturally led Banks into the pickup truck arena, and a Banks-powered vehicle holds the bragging rights as fastest diesel truck in the world according to the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
Gale Banks Engineering has expanded its focus to include not just diesel trucks, but all manner of pickups. One of their more impressive products for the Toyota Tundra is the Banks Monster Exhaust system. Starting at just under $500.00, the Monster can be fitted to all Tundras built between 2000 and 2006, as well as 2007 through 2009 models featuring the 5.7 liter V8.
Banks Monster Exhaust system for the 2007-2009 Toyota Tundra
The Monster is available in both a dual exit and single exit / single tip system. The single exit system maintains the stock look so as not to visually draw attention to your truck after installation. Once the ignition key is turned, however, that cloak of anonymity instantly dissolves. The Banks Monster Exhaust has a growl like a banshee, and the sound it produces certainly matches up to its name.
Gale Banks Engineering has intentionally given the system an aggressive tone, although it has thankfully managed eliminate the highway drone that plagues larger exhausts. Other features of the system include stainless steel construction and smooth mandrel bends in order to avoid any kinks or restrictions that could potentially rob you of power. According to the manufacturer, the Banks Monster Exhaust will add 11 hp and 11 lbs-ft of torque to your 07′ – 09′ 5.7L Tundra.
A Tundra with the Banks Monster Dual Exhaust. Image courtesy BanksPower.com.
The Banks Monster Exhaust system is fairly easy to bolt up to your truck, as it has been pre-bent to properly match the contours of your undercarriage. If a stealthy performance exhaust is what you are looking for, then it would be hard to go wrong with the single exit offering from Gale Banks Engineering. Just make sure that you are comfortable with the idea of dramatically amplifying the sound of your Tundra before bolting it on.
Filed Under: Toyota Tundra Accessories
Pretty sweet setup with an awesomely tough growl without being to annoying inside the cabin of the truck while lighting it up. Pretty good performance boost to boot too. I say 500 bucks well spent. Do you know if the single exhaust has the same growl as a dual exhaust in back and if the dual exhaust cost a lot more than the single exhaust?
Quality sytems, love mines, but the claim of no drone is not so. After modifying my tailpipe many times over to rid myself of the annonying drone, I installed a 12″ turndown pipe that made it very nice at cruising on the highway. Maybe banks has been redesigned for 2010 compared to 2007, but there’s a clearly a pronounced drone at cruising on the highway. Overall, the performance claims are very accurate…no loss whatsoever in low end torque and improved throttle response with the flowthrough design of their muffler is excellent. Banks clearly has the best price of any CATBack on the market for 5.7L tundras.
Charles – Good info. Would you say the drone is louder or quieter than other cat-backs?
Jason-I’ve only had experience with Magnaflow and Corsa. I had the Corsa Touring on my 07 DC Tundra…zero, zero drone. There’s no other Catback like Corsa and well, you will pay for it too. I had a Magnaflow on my ’98 F150 and now Banks on my current 07 Tundra RCSB. So my opinion between Magnaflow and Banks will be some what like comparing apples and oranges since I cannot compare the same truck, but with that said, the drone between the two are about the same especially at crusing 70MPH but under load when climbing, Banks seems louder. Overall, Banks clearly out performs Magnaflow IMO with an unbelievable price in comparsion to all other Catback.
Charles – Cool – thanks for sharing.
Hey! Why wouldn’t I want to draw attention with a mean looking exhaust? What’s nice to know is the head of things is still around and keeping his hand in the business. Nice article for a very fairly priced system.
Also glad to have Charles’ feedback on drone, etc. in case I ever decide to change my exhaust a few years down the road.
Any word on this fitting the 2011 Crew max 4.6?
Jay – I don’t think you’ll see much for the 4.6L in the near future. The tendency in the after-market is to design parts for the biggest motor available, but that may shift as more and more people buy the 4.6.