The 6.7L Cummins is known for producing dependable torque, handling heavy loads, and accumulating serious mileage. However, even a capable diesel engine can be limited by restrictive factory components.
One of the most notable restrictions on many Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Cummins trucks is the factory intake elbow and grid-heater assembly. The Banks Power Monster-Ram intake is designed to address both airflow and reliability concerns by replacing these factory components with a larger, smoother, and less restrictive intake system.
For Canadian Ram owners who tow, haul, modify their trucks, or simply want to protect their Cummins engine, the Monster-Ram may be one of the most practical intake upgrades available.
You can browse the available Banks Power products at Off-Road Canada or view current Monster-Ram intake listings for compatible Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 applications.
What Is the Banks Power Monster-Ram Intake?
The Banks Power Monster-Ram is an upgraded intake elbow and grid-heater replacement system for select Ram trucks equipped with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine.
It is important not to confuse the Monster-Ram with a traditional cold-air intake.
A cold-air intake replaces the airbox, filter, and intake tubing before the turbocharger. The Monster-Ram works on the pressurized side of the engine, directing compressed air from the intercooler into the intake manifold.
Its job is to improve airflow into the engine by replacing the restrictive factory intake elbow and factory grid-heater plate.
Depending on the model year and kit, the Monster-Ram system can include:
- A large cast-aluminum intake elbow
- A high-flow intake plate
- A Banks coil-style intake heater
- A proprietary replacement fuel line
- Required gaskets and installation hardware
- Sensor and accessory mounting provisions
- Multiple 1/8-inch NPT ports
- Red, black, or natural-aluminum finish options
Banks currently offers different Monster-Ram configurations for various Ram pickup and chassis-cab applications, so buyers must confirm the exact year, model, engine, and body configuration before ordering.
Why Does the Factory Cummins Intake Need an Upgrade?
The factory intake system must satisfy packaging, manufacturing, emissions, noise, and cost requirements. That does not necessarily mean it provides the most efficient airflow path possible.
On applicable 6.7L Cummins trucks, the factory intake elbow has a comparatively narrow and compressed shape. Air moving through the system must also pass through the factory grid-heater assembly before entering the intake manifold.
Under higher airflow demand, these components can create a restriction.
That matters most when the truck is:
- Towing a heavy trailer
- Hauling substantial payload
- Accelerating under load
- Driving through steep grades
- Operating with performance tuning
- Using an upgraded turbocharger
- Producing more power than stock
The more air the engine demands, the more noticeable a restrictive intake path can become.
Banks states that its 2019–2024 Monster-Ram configuration flows 72.7 pounds of air per minute with the Banks coil heater and high-flow intake plate, compared with 38.6 pounds per minute through the stock arrangement in its testing. That represents a claimed 88.3% airflow improvement.
The larger 3-3/8-inch inlet and smoother internal shape are intended to reduce pressure loss and distribute air more effectively into the intake manifold.
The Grid-Heater Bolt Concern
Airflow is only part of the reason many Cummins owners consider the Monster-Ram.
The other major concern is commonly referred to as the Cummins killer grid-heater bolt.
The factory grid heater helps the engine start and operate smoothly in cold conditions. An electrical connection associated with the factory grid-heater assembly can potentially deteriorate from heat and electrical arcing.
In a worst-case scenario, a damaged fastener or piece of the connection can separate and enter the intake manifold. Once inside, it may be pulled into a cylinder, potentially causing serious internal engine damage.
Not every Cummins engine will experience this failure. However, the severity of the potential damage has made it a common concern among Ram diesel owners.
Rather than simply securing or modifying the factory bolt, the Banks system removes the factory grid-heater assembly and replaces it with a high-flow intake plate and a different coil-style heater positioned inside the Monster-Ram elbow.
According to Banks, this arrangement eliminates the original failure point while retaining cold-start heating capability.
For many owners, this preventative aspect is as important as the airflow improvement.
Banks Coil Heater Versus the Factory Grid Heater
Deleting the factory grid heater without providing another intake-heating solution may not be practical for a Canadian truck.
Cold-start performance matters in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and other regions where winter temperatures can fall well below freezing.
The Banks Monster-Ram is not simply an open grid-heater-delete plate. Compatible systems include a high-flow coil heater that sits vertically in the intake elbow instead of placing a large heating grid directly across the airflow path.
This design is intended to provide intake heating while presenting less obstruction to incoming air.
Certain Monster-Ram versions are also dual-heat or triple-heat capable. These configurations may benefit trucks that regularly operate in extremely cold climates, although the appropriate heating setup should be selected according to the truck, operating environment, and Banks’ installation requirements.
Performance Benefits of the Banks Monster-Ram
Improved Throttle Response
A less restrictive intake path can allow boost pressure to reach the intake manifold with less pressure loss.
The Monster-Ram is not a throttle controller, and a diesel truck does not respond exactly like a gasoline engine with a conventional throttle body. However, improved airflow can make the engine feel more responsive when the driver requests torque.
This can be especially noticeable when:
- Pulling away with a trailer
- Passing on the highway
- Climbing a grade
- Accelerating with a loaded truck
- Running an upgraded turbo or tuning
Banks states that the Monster-Ram can raise boost without increasing turbine drive pressure, helping improve response without making the exhaust side of the turbo work harder to generate that boost.
Increased Airflow Capacity
The stock intake may be adequate for an unmodified truck during light driving. However, it can become a more meaningful restriction as airflow requirements increase.
The Monster-Ram creates additional airflow headroom for trucks equipped with supporting upgrades such as:
- Cold-air intakes
- Intercooler upgrades
- Larger boost tubes
- Performance exhaust systems
- Turbocharger upgrades
- Engine tuning
- Fuel-system upgrades
This does not mean the Monster-Ram automatically creates huge horsepower on its own. It means the intake is less likely to restrict the engine as additional performance modifications are added.
Better Airflow Distribution
Intake design involves more than creating the largest possible opening.
Air must be directed into the intake manifold with minimal turbulence and reasonably even distribution. Banks says the Monster-Ram is designed to improve both air pressure and distribution as air enters the Cummins intake manifold.
Better distribution can become increasingly valuable as engine load and airflow demand rise.
Possible Fuel-Efficiency Improvement
Banks identifies improved fuel efficiency as one of the system’s potential benefits. Some owners also report fuel-economy improvements after installation.
However, fuel economy should be treated as a possible benefit rather than a guaranteed result.
Actual consumption is affected by:
- Trailer weight
- Payload
- Driving speed
- Terrain
- Temperature
- Tire size and pressure
- Axle gearing
- Idle time
- Engine tuning
- Driving habits
A truck that breathes more efficiently may require less effort under certain conditions, but owners should not purchase the Monster-Ram solely for promised fuel savings.
Reduced Intake Restriction While Towing
Towing is where improved airflow can become especially useful.
A Cummins engine pulling a heavy trailer operates under sustained load for longer periods than it does during normal commuting. Reducing intake restriction may improve responsiveness and help the engine reach the requested boost more efficiently when climbing hills or accelerating with weight.
The Monster-Ram does not increase the truck’s certified towing capacity. It also does not replace proper trailer brakes, correct hitch setup, suitable axle gearing, or routine maintenance.
It can, however, improve the airflow path supporting the engine that is doing the work.
Additional Ports for Monitoring and Accessories
Monster-Ram systems feature multiple 1/8-inch NPT ports.
These ports can be used for compatible sensors or accessories such as:
- Boost-pressure sensors
- Temperature sensors
- Water-methanol injection
- Other diesel-performance instrumentation
Unused ports must remain properly sealed.
This makes the intake particularly useful for owners building a monitored towing or performance package.
No Tuning Required for Compatible Applications
Banks states that compatible Monster-Ram systems can be installed without recalibrating the engine computer. The system retains factory emissions equipment on the emissions-compliant applications identified by Banks.
That makes it more approachable for owners who want a mechanical airflow and reliability upgrade without immediately adding engine tuning.
Who Benefits Most From a Monster-Ram Intake?
Ram Owners Concerned About Grid-Heater Failure
Owners purchasing the system primarily for preventative maintenance may receive the greatest practical value.
The cost of a complete Monster-Ram system and professional installation can be significant, but it may be easier to justify when compared with the potential cost of repairing a damaged Cummins engine.
Drivers Who Tow Frequently
Owners who tow campers, equipment trailers, enclosed trailers, boats, or commercial loads regularly place the engine under higher demand.
These drivers are more likely to benefit from improved airflow and stronger response under sustained load.
Modified Cummins Trucks
A performance engine is only as effective as the systems feeding and supporting it.
Owners with larger turbochargers, additional fueling, intercooler upgrades, or tuning are more likely to use the Monster-Ram’s increased airflow capacity than someone driving a completely stock truck at light load.
High-Mileage Truck Owners
Owners planning to keep their Ram for many years may value the combination of reliability prevention, serviceable components, and future performance headroom.
The Monster-Ram can be installed as part of a larger long-term maintenance or build plan.
Commercial and Work-Truck Operators
Downtime can be more expensive than the repair itself for a truck used commercially.
Contractors, hotshot operators, tradespeople, farmers, and fleet owners may consider the Monster-Ram as preventative maintenance, especially when the truck is responsible for generating income.
Proper fitment is essential because pickup and chassis-cab trucks may require different kits.
Canadian Owners Operating in Cold Climates
Canadian truck owners should avoid treating the Monster-Ram as a simple heater delete.
The Banks coil-heater system retains an intake-heating solution while removing the restrictive factory grid. Dual-heat and triple-heat-capable configurations may also be available for certain applications.
This makes the system more suitable for winter-driven trucks than a basic open intake plate with no replacement heater.
Pros of the Banks Power Monster-Ram Intake
It Addresses Two Issues at Once
The Monster-Ram improves the intake airflow path while addressing the factory grid-heater fastener concern.
Many aftermarket products do only one of those things.
Significant Reduction in Measured Airflow Restriction
Banks’ testing reports an 88.3% increase in airflow for the relevant 2019–2024 system compared with the factory arrangement.
Although flow-bench results are not the same as guaranteed wheel horsepower, they demonstrate that the replacement assembly is substantially less restrictive.
Retains Cold-Start Heating
The included coil heater is a major benefit for trucks operating in Canada and other cold regions.
Supports Future Modifications
Even when the immediate horsepower increase is modest on a stock truck, the increased airflow capacity can support additional upgrades later.
Useful Sensor and Accessory Ports
The NPT ports make it easier to add monitoring equipment or compatible performance accessories.
No Tuning Required
A compatible Monster-Ram can be installed and operated without mandatory engine tuning.
Emissions-Conscious Design
Banks identifies applicable Ram intake systems as retaining factory emissions equipment and being emissions compliant under the company’s listed approvals.
Canadian owners should still confirm local requirements and exact product fitment before installation.
Complete-System Approach
The kit includes specialized components such as the replacement fuel line and high-flow intake plate rather than supplying only a larger intake elbow.
Cons of the Banks Power Monster-Ram Intake
Higher Purchase Price
The Monster-Ram is considerably more expensive than a basic intake horn or grid-heater bolt-retention solution.
Its price reflects the more complete system, including the intake elbow, heater, intake plate, fuel line, and installation hardware. Nevertheless, budget-focused owners may find the initial cost difficult to justify.
Installation Is Involved
This is not as simple as replacing an air filter or bolting on a cold-air intake.
The procedure can involve:
- Removing intake components
- Working around the fuel rail
- Replacing a fuel line
- Transferring sensors
- Modifying the heater arrangement
- Disconnecting and reconnecting electrical components
- Checking carefully for fuel and boost leaks
Banks lists an estimated installation time of approximately six hours for the 2019–2024 pickup application.
A professional diesel technician may be the best choice for owners who are not comfortable working around a high-pressure common-rail fuel system.
Limited Peak-Power Increase on a Stock Truck
The Monster-Ram dramatically improves measured airflow capacity, but that does not mean every stock truck will produce a dramatic horsepower increase at the wheels.
An otherwise stock engine may not demand enough air to take full advantage of the intake’s total capacity during normal driving.
The most noticeable changes may be:
- Improved response
- Smoother delivery under load
- Reduced restriction
- Reliability peace of mind
Owners expecting a night-and-day horsepower transformation from the intake alone should set realistic expectations.
Fuel-Economy Gains Are Not Guaranteed
Fuel savings vary substantially and can easily be cancelled by faster driving, heavy towing, oversized tires, or extended idling.
Exact Fitment Can Be Complicated
Different versions may be required for:
- Ram 2500 pickups
- Ram 3500 pickups
- Ram 3500 chassis-cab trucks
- Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis-cab trucks
- Different model-year ranges
- Different heater configurations
For example, a Monster-Ram kit designed for a Ram 2500 or Ram 3500 pickup may not fit a chassis-cab model. Separate chassis-cab applications may be available.
Never order based only on engine size.
Professional Installation Adds to the Total Cost
Installation labour can make the complete upgrade substantially more expensive than the advertised component price.
Does the Monster-Ram Add Horsepower?
The honest answer is that it depends on the truck.
On a stock truck, the Monster-Ram may provide improved response and reduced pressure loss, but peak horsepower gains may be relatively modest because the stock engine is not always demanding the system’s maximum airflow capacity.
On a modified truck with added fueling, tuning, or a turbo upgrade, the factory intake restriction becomes more significant. In those applications, the Monster-Ram may contribute more meaningfully to the overall performance package.
Think of the Monster-Ram as an airflow-enabling component rather than a stand-alone power adder.
It removes a bottleneck. The amount of additional power realized depends on how much air the rest of the engine is capable of using.
Monster-Ram Versus a Cold-Air Intake
A cold-air intake and a Monster-Ram address different sections of the air path.
A cold-air intake works before the turbocharger. It helps supply filtered air to the turbo.
The Monster-Ram works after the intercooler. It helps deliver compressed air into the intake manifold.
Installing one does not make the other unnecessary.
For a more complete airflow package, an owner may combine:
- A high-flow cold-air intake
- Upgraded turbo inlet or intake tubing
- Larger intercooler piping
- An efficient intercooler
- The Banks Monster-Ram
- Appropriate exhaust and engine calibration upgrades
The ideal combination depends on how the truck is used.
Is the Monster-Ram Worth It on a Stock Cummins?
It can be, particularly when grid-heater reliability is the main concern.
A stock-truck owner may not use all of the Monster-Ram’s airflow capacity. However, the upgrade still offers:
- Removal of the factory grid-heater failure point
- Retained cold-start heating
- Improved intake airflow
- Potentially quicker response
- Future performance headroom
- Additional sensor ports
- A high-quality underhood upgrade
For owners keeping their trucks long term, the preventative value may justify the cost even without major performance modifications.
Is the Monster-Ram Worth It for Towing?
Frequent towing is one of the strongest use cases for the Monster-Ram.
A towing truck experiences higher engine load, greater airflow demand, and sustained boost more often than a lightly driven commuter truck.
Reducing intake restriction can help support more immediate response and better airflow under those conditions.
The Monster-Ram is particularly logical when combined with responsible monitoring. Owners who tow regularly should consider keeping an eye on:
- Exhaust-gas temperature
- Coolant temperature
- Transmission temperature
- Engine-oil temperature
- Boost pressure
- Fuel-rail pressure
The additional NPT ports in the Monster-Ram may help support some compatible monitoring equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Banks Monster-Ram
What Trucks Does the Banks Monster-Ram Fit?
Monster-Ram systems are available for multiple 6.7L Cummins model-year ranges, including Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickups as well as certain Ram chassis-cab trucks.
Fitment varies by year and vehicle configuration. A kit designed for a pickup may not fit a chassis-cab truck.
Use the Monster-Ram search page at Off-Road Canada and verify the exact year, model, engine, cab configuration, and product notes before ordering.
Does the Monster-Ram Replace the Entire Cold-Air Intake?
No. It replaces components on the pressurized intake side after the intercooler.
The factory or aftermarket airbox and filter are separate components.
Does the Monster-Ram Eliminate the Factory Grid Heater?
It replaces the factory grid-heater assembly with a Banks high-flow intake plate and compatible coil-style heater.
This removes the factory restriction and original fastener failure point without simply leaving the truck with no intake heater.
Will My Cummins Still Start in the Winter?
Compatible kits retain intake heating through the Banks coil heater.
Cold-start performance still depends on battery condition, fuel quality, intake-heating operation, engine-oil viscosity, block-heater use, and ambient temperature.
For extreme-cold operation, ask whether a dual-heat or triple-heat configuration is appropriate for your application.
Does the Monster-Ram Require Tuning?
Banks states that compatible Monster-Ram kits do not require engine tuning.
Will the Monster-Ram Increase Fuel Economy?
It may improve efficiency by reducing airflow restriction, but no specific fuel-economy increase can be guaranteed.
Truck configuration, load, climate, speed, and driving habits have a much greater effect on fuel consumption.
How Much Horsepower Does It Add?
There is no single horsepower figure that applies to every truck.
Results depend on model year, tuning, turbocharger, fueling, exhaust, intercooler system, and operating load.
A stock truck may experience improved response without a dramatic peak-horsepower increase. A modified truck may benefit more because it requires additional airflow.
Is the Monster-Ram Useful Without Other Modifications?
Yes. It can still be useful as a preventative reliability upgrade and to reduce factory intake restriction.
It also prepares the truck for future airflow and power upgrades.
Can I Install a Monster-Ram Myself?
An experienced diesel technician or advanced DIY mechanic may be able to complete the installation.
However, the job involves the intake system and fuel-system components. Fuel-line connections must be handled correctly, and the complete system must be checked for leaks before the truck is driven.
Owners who are not comfortable working on a common-rail diesel should use a qualified installer.
How Long Does Installation Take?
Banks lists approximately six hours for the 2019–2024 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup kit.
Actual installation time varies based on experience, corrosion, tools, truck configuration, and any additional components installed at the same time.
Does It Fit a Ram Chassis Cab?
Not every Monster-Ram kit does.
A kit designed for a Ram 2500 or Ram 3500 pickup may not fit a chassis-cab truck. Dedicated chassis-cab systems are available for certain Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 applications.
Does It Fit Trucks With Dual Alternators?
Certain Monster-Ram pickup systems are compatible with dual-alternator engines.
Always verify the specific product listing before ordering.
Does the Monster-Ram Retain Emissions Equipment?
Banks states that applicable emissions-compliant kits retain factory emissions equipment and can be installed without tuning.
Emissions regulations and inspection requirements can vary, so truck owners should confirm the legality of any modification in their jurisdiction.
Can Sensors Be Installed in the Monster-Ram?
Yes. Applicable systems include multiple 1/8-inch NPT ports that can support compatible sensors or accessories.
Any unused ports must be securely plugged.
Is the Red, Black, or Natural Finish Better?
The finish does not materially change the function of the intake.
Choose the colour that best matches the truck’s engine-bay appearance and other Banks components.
What Should Be Installed With a Monster-Ram?
The Monster-Ram works as a stand-alone upgrade, but it can also be part of a more complete diesel-performance package.
Depending on the truck’s use, related upgrades may include:
- Banks Ram-Air intake
- Upgraded intercooler
- High-flow boost tubes
- Performance exhaust system
- Engine monitoring system
- Differential cover
- Transmission pan
- Throttle-response controller
- Appropriate towing or performance calibration
Browse the complete Banks Power collection at Off-Road Canada to compare compatible airflow, monitoring, cooling, and drivetrain products.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy a Banks Monster-Ram?
The Banks Power Monster-Ram is more than a cosmetic intake horn.
It is a complete airflow and grid-heater replacement system designed to address two concerns found on applicable 6.7L Cummins trucks: restrictive factory intake components and the potential factory grid-heater fastener failure.
Its strongest advantages include:
- Considerably increased measured airflow
- Improved response under load
- Removal of the original grid-heater failure point
- Retained cold-weather intake heating
- Support for future performance modifications
- Sensor and accessory ports
- No mandatory engine tuning
- Compatible emissions-conscious configurations
The biggest disadvantages are cost, installation complexity, and the possibility that a completely stock, lightly driven truck may not realize a dramatic peak-horsepower gain.
For a Ram owner who tows, works the truck hard, plans additional performance upgrades, or intends to keep the vehicle long term, the Monster-Ram can be a worthwhile investment.
For a Canadian owner, the included heating solution is especially important. It provides a more complete approach than simply deleting the factory grid heater and hoping the truck will behave normally during winter.
Shop available Banks Power products in Canada or search specifically for a compatible Banks Monster-Ram intake at Off-Road Canada.