To call Gale Banks an engineer would be an understatement, scientist would be a more accurate term. For those who have seen him work his magic with internal combustion and technology, a mad scientist might even be more appropriate. As president of Gale Banks Engineering, an automotive aftermarket and performance equipment manufacturer, Gale Banks has spent more than half a century improving internal combustion technology in the development of modern motor vehicle engines. As a teenager growing up near Los Angeles in the 50s, blessed with a talent for things mechanical, Gale Banks was naturally drawn to the Southern California Hot Rodders, the do-it-yourselfers who would race their machines in the desert, the dry lakes, and the salt flats. It was all about power and speed, two characteristics that would define Gale Banks his whole life.
Banks sold his first engine in 1958, as a 16-year old. He opened a speed shop so he could pay his tuition to California Polytechnic University. His education was with equal parts in the classrooms and in the garage. He counts among his many mentors PhDs, government research scientists, even Nobel prize winners, plus a whole host of grease monkeys and car enthusiasts.
His development and promotion of his twin-turbocharging technique for both gas and diesel engines have made his name synonymous with high-performance, both on land and on water. Many vehicles of his design have set numerous national and international speed records.
Since 1976 Gale Banks Engineering has been involved in building and supplying engines and systems to defense contractors and directly to the Military, as well. Over those 38 years, every military Gale Banks Engine has had one dominant feature; they’ve all been turbocharged. At first, their Twin Turbo, Intercooled Marine Engines, ran on gasoline, more recently, their marine and wheeled vehicle military applications all run Diesel. And, currently, the tactical military fuel requirement for all engines has moved to JP-8, high-performance jet fuel.
Most of his company’s work on special fast attack marine engines for the Navy is still classified as are a few other such projects aimed at radically improving both the power and reliability of existing and new engine designs.
On the aftermarket side, Banks Power designs, manufacturers, and markets cold air intake systems, turbochargers, intercoolers, electronic gas and diesel programmers, instrumentation, transmission controllers, exhaust systems, torque converters, and complete power systems for commercial and motorsport applications plus some interesting military applications that he will not discuss.
Banks holds almost two dozen patents, hundreds of copyrights, and received numerous industry commendations over the years. He has served on the board of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), advisory board of the Automotive X-Prize Foundation, and the Board of Directors for the National Hot Rod Association Museum.
In December of 2008 the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, at the Pomona Fairplex, opened a special exhibit celebrating ‘The First 50 Years of Banks Power.” The exhibit takes up one full exhibit hall of the museum and features record-breaking Banks vehicles, engines, and a 65-foot long “timeline” which covers the highlights of Banks’ company from it’s earliest “one-man-shop” to the corporate entity that it now is.
In 2009, Banks was honored with a Distinguished Service Citation from the Automotive Hall of Fame, a distinction that has been given annually since 1940. One of only five people to receive such recognition, he was also the first-ever awardee from the aftermarket industry. In 2023, Banks was bestowed the Society of Automotive Engineers’ Peter Bryant Challenger Award, which recognizes the heroes of motorsport, specifically the engineers and craftspeople who design and build race vehicles.
In addition to guiding Banks Power, a leader in aftermarket performance parts for gas and diesel vehicles, Gale Banks leads Banks Technologies, the exclusive engine supplier to the U.S. Army’s Joint Light Tactile Vehicle (JLTV) Program. He also consults various OEM companies on a variety of issues including turbocharging, fuel injection, engine efficiencies, clean-burning alternative fuels, and diesel hybrid technologies.
Banks founder Gale Banks straps into an EKG and downs over a dozen energy drinks—all in the name of science. His priceless reactions unfold inside the Banks engineering labs as he puts popular fuels of innovation to the test.
Gale Banks and his team twin-turbocharged Jay Leno’s tank car, which is powered by a 30-liter Continental V12 Hemi engine. They doubled the engine’s horsepower from 810 to 1,600 and also improved its fuel economy. The project involved custom-built parts, including a Bosch fuel injection system originally designed for Formula 1 engines, and Garrett turbos.
Jim Powell enhanced his 2024 GMC 3500 with Banks Power upgrades, achieving improved towing capacity, fuel efficiency, and overall performance.
Listen to Gale Banks share over six decades of turbocharging, performance, and diesel innovation in this informative and entertaining podcast series—straight from the Godfather of Boost himself.
Accelerate your automotive knowledge in under a minute. Gale Banks, a renowned industry expert, shares concise insights on everything from engine performance to fuel efficiency. Watch quick-fire video tips and tricks to elevate your ride. Ready to dive deeper? Each short clip offers a gateway to in-depth learning. Explore the latest Banks wisdom today.
DK Custom Products debunks backpressure myths with Gale Banks’ expert insights. Tired of the “tailpipe doesn’t matter” debate? Learn how reducing backpressure can boost horsepower in your diesel engine. Watch the video now!
Rare Gale Banks Marine Chevy Big Block Twin Turbo System For Sale
Own a piece of marine performance history. This complete, dyno-proven twin-turbo setup pumped out 900 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque in a 1977 Hallett mini cruiser. Ideal for boat enthusiasts seeking unmatched power and acceleration. Don’t miss this opportunity to upgrade your marine engine with a legendary forced induction system.
Legendary Hot Rodder Debuts Supercharged Duramax at SEMA
Gearheads, rejoice! Banks Power unveiled their show-stopping LokJaw at the 2023 SEMA Show, featuring a monstrous supercharged Duramax and head-turning modifications. This slammed 1966 Chevy C20 drew crowds, including industry bigwigs like Andre from TFL Truck and Stacy David. Witness the craftsmanship and raw power that left even redneck science aficionado Westen Champlin speechless. See LokJaw in action and upgrade your ride with Banks Power’s cutting-edge performance parts!
Banks Power is sharing valuable insights and product demonstrations through short-form videos on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. These engaging clips cover topics like air density, air restriction, and engine performance, making complex concepts easy to understand.