What Banks Monster Ram Does on a 6.7 Cummins

Banks Monster Ram is an intake manifold system designed to replace your truck's factory intake on a 6.7 Cummins diesel engine. It increases airflow into the engine by using larger diameter piping and smoother internal passages than the original manifold. The system is made from cast iron and bolts directly to your existing engine block where the factory manifold was.

The main reason people install it is to support higher horsepower and torque when running other engine modifications like tuning software or fuel system upgrades. By itself, Monster Ram won't add power — it removes a restriction that becomes a bottleneck once you've modified other parts of the engine. Think of it like widening a highway entrance: the road itself doesn't go faster, but traffic flows better when the on-ramp isn't narrow.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks Monster Ram is an aftermarket intake manifold that replaces your factory manifold and requires removing the original part completely.
  • Installation takes a professional shop four to eight hours and involves draining coolant, unbolting the factory manifold, and installing new gaskets and seals.
  • You will need a new set of gaskets, a new thermostat housing gasket, and coolant to refill the system after work is complete.
  • The part costs between $400 and $600 depending on your supplier, and labor at a diesel shop typically runs $600 to $1,200.
  • Monster Ram works best when paired with other modifications like ECU tuning or fuel system upgrades, not as a standalone change.

What You Remove and What Stays

The factory intake manifold bolts to the front of your 6.7 Cummins cylinder head using eight bolts. When you install Banks Monster Ram, that entire factory manifold comes off and goes into a box. The Monster Ram bolts into the exact same location using the same bolt holes, so no drilling or welding is needed.

Everything else stays in place: your turbocharger, intercooler, fuel injectors, and engine block. You're only swapping one part. The new manifold connects to your existing turbo inlet the same way the factory one did, so no new piping or adapters are required beyond what comes in the Banks kit.

Tools and Parts You'll Need

A full installation requires standard diesel shop tools: socket sets, wrenches, a torque wrench, and a coolant drain pan. You'll also need a gasket scraper to remove old gasket material from the cylinder head after the factory manifold comes off. Most shops already have these items.

Parts-wise, you need the Banks Monster Ram manifold itself, a new gasket set (the factory gaskets cannot be reused once removed), a new thermostat housing gasket, and fresh coolant to refill the system. Some shops include gaskets with the manifold; others sell them separately. Check with your supplier before the job starts so nothing holds up the work.

The Installation Process Step by Step

First, the shop drains the coolant from your radiator into a clean pan. This is necessary because the intake manifold sits above the coolant passages in the cylinder head. Next, they disconnect the upper radiator hose, heater hoses, and any coolant lines that attach to the factory manifold or thermostat housing.

Then the eight bolts holding the factory manifold are removed. Once those come out, the manifold lifts away from the cylinder head. The old gasket material is scraped off the head surface and cleaned thoroughly — any debris left behind will cause coolant leaks. The new gasket is laid down, and the Banks Monster Ram is bolted into place using a torque pattern that tightens bolts in a specific order to may support even pressure.

After the manifold is find, the thermostat housing gasket is replaced, and all coolant lines are reconnected. The system is refilled with fresh coolant, bled of air pockets, and the truck is started to check for leaks. The whole process typically takes four to eight hours depending on how corroded the bolts are and whether any complications arise.

Why Bolt-On Doesn't Mean Bolt-And-Go

Even though Banks Monster Ram bolts directly to your engine without modifications, it's not a job most truck owners do in a home garage. The work requires draining and refilling coolant correctly, torquing bolts to exact specifications, and bleeding air from the cooling system — mistakes here cause overheating or leaks that damage the engine.

A diesel-focused shop has the experience to spot problems like corroded bolts that need careful removal, or coolant passages that need flushing before reassembly. They also know the exact torque sequence and can verify the job with a pressure test before you drive away. For a 6.7 Cummins, this is work worth paying a professional to do right.

Cost Breakdown

The Banks Monster Ram manifold itself costs between $400 and $600 depending on where you buy it and whether you're buying new or used. Gasket sets run $50 to $100. Labor at a diesel shop typically ranges from $600 to $1,200 depending on your region and how busy the shop is.

Total out-of-pocket is usually $1,100 to $1,900 for the part and installation. Some shops offer package pricing if you're doing multiple modifications at once, like tuning and fuel system work alongside the manifold. Getting quotes from two or three shops in your area will show you what's typical for your market.

When Monster Ram Makes Sense

Banks Monster Ram is most useful if you're already planning to add horsepower through tuning software or fuel system upgrades. On a stock engine, it won't change how your truck feels or performs. Once you've added other modifications, though, the factory manifold becomes the limiting factor — it can't flow enough air to support the extra power you've unlocked elsewhere.

If you're building a truck for towing, hauling, or performance driving, Monster Ram fits into that plan. If you're keeping your 6.7 Cummins stock and just want it to run reliably, this modification isn't necessary and won't benefit you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Banks Monster Ram void my warranty?

Dodge's factory warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, not modifications you add. Installing Monster Ram won't void your entire warranty, but Dodge can deny coverage for engine problems they determine were caused by the modification. If you're still under factory warranty, check with your dealer about their specific policy before proceeding.

Can I install this myself if I'm experienced with engines?

Technically yes, but the cooling system work is the tricky part. Improper coolant bleeding leaves air pockets that cause overheating. If you've done this type of work before and have a torque wrench and gasket scraper, it's possible. Most people find it worth paying a shop to avoid the risk of an air lock that damages the engine.

Do I need to tune my truck after installing Monster Ram?

No — the manifold will bolt on and work fine without tuning. However, you won't see any performance gain from it alone. If you're adding tuning or fuel modifications later, the manifold will help those changes work more effectively. Install it when you're ready to do other power modifications, not before.

How long does the Banks Monster Ram last?

Cast iron manifolds typically last the life of the truck if they're not cracked. Monster Ram is cast iron like the factory manifold, so longevity should be similar — 200,000 miles or more with normal use. The gaskets and seals around it will need replacement if you ever remove the manifold again, but the manifold itself rarely fails.

What's the difference between Banks Monster Ram and other aftermarket manifolds?

Several companies make intake manifolds for the 6.7 Cummins, including ATS, Fleece, and others. They all work on the same principle — larger passages and better flow than factory. Banks is one of the older names in diesel performance and has a track record, but the choice often comes down to price, availability, and what other modifications you're running alongside it.