Warrior In Repose
(From the Archives – 04.12.02)
We have told you about some of the exciting projects currently under construction in the Banks race shop, but we have some good skeletons in the closet here at Banks, too.
May 12, 2009
Mercedes Pro Mod
(From the Archives – Circa 2002)
Mercedes Benz 500-SL Time Machine
Combining the technology of the Stealth Fighter, the class of Mercedes Benz and the engineering prowess of Banks, this project is the ultimate blend of Funny Car and Pro Stock. Years ahead of its time in design and construction, the Benz project has been literally hand-crafted by Banks’ own speed demon, Rick “Speed” Lefever.
May 12, 2009
Banks Talks Tech
(From the Archives – 11.19.04)
Diesel — The Performance Choice
Some old ideas about performance are slow to die.
The very idea that diesel engines could replace exotic gasoline engines as the top performing powerplants in cars, light trucks, and SUVs seems ludicrous to many automotive enthusiasts. How could a slow, smelly diesel ever hope to compete against an overhead cam, high-revving, high-compression, sophisticated gasoline engine? And the concept of a diesel as a racing engine seems to be pure heresy! What, enthusiasts ask, has the world come to?
May 12, 2009
Banks Talks Tech – Turbo Wastegate
(From the Archives – Circa December 2004)
How a Turbo Wastegate Works
The common turbocharger wastegate would seem like the height of simplicity, but high performance can add complications.
Let’s begin by describing what a turbo wastegate is. A wastegate is essentially a device that bypasses some exhaust flow around the turbine section of a turbocharger to control maximum boost. A wastegate is usually controlled by a pressure actuator that is connected to manifold pressure.
May 12, 2009
What makes a good exhaust brake?
(From the Archives – Circa November 2004)
As the owner of a diesel engine-powered pickup, such as the Duramax, you already know that there is precious little braking effect when you back off the throttle. Even driving in Tow/Haul mode on automatic transmission-equipped vehicles does not significantly increase engine braking. Driving with the vehicle heavily loaded, or while pulling a trailer, down a long grade can seriously test your vehicle’s braking system as you continually apply the brakes to keep downhill speed in check.
May 12, 2009
The Gearhead Bash
(From the Archives – 07.26.02)
For many years, since establishing their Shady Grove Farm in Bradbury, California, Gale and family have held a large Christmas party for relatives, friends, co-workers, and associates. Since many of these people tended to be gearheads of one type or another, they’d arrive in a broad variety of interesting vehicles.
May 12, 2009
Brandons Power Stroke Wins Truck Pull
(From the Archives – 11.01.02)
A few weeks ago we showed and told you about Brandon Mojarro’s 2001 Ford F-250 Power Stroke 4×4 shortbed pickup and how well he was doing at local truck pull competitions with a Banks PowerPack and Level 5 Big Hoss chip being his only engine modifications.
May 12, 2009
Bonneville Speed Week 2002
(From the Archives – 08.16.02)
The big news this week is Bonneville, better known since 1949 as Speed Week. In fact today (Friday) is the last day of running, so I don’t really have final results. Gale went out last weekend for the opening days. Gale can’t stay away from Bonneville. He’s been competing there since the early ’60s. He has set many different records in several classes, and actually still holds two current records that have stood for more than ten years each (including what was, for a long time, the world’s fastest production-bodied car and the world’s fastest pickup).
May 12, 2009
Six-Gun takes 3rd at Baja 1000
David Downs Goliath at Baja
(From the Archives – Circa November 2004)
A virtually stock 2003 Cummins diesel-powered Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Pickup truck takes 3rd Place in the “Stock Full” class at 2004 Baja 1000. The truck is equipped with Banks’ Six-Gun Bundle.
May 11, 2009
Interaction
(From the Archives – 01.25.02)
I have a confession to make (I know some of you are into confessional mode). Before I started this job, I didn’t know how to use a computer as anything other than a typewriter. My computer at home is connected only to itself. I write to disc. If I had to email something, I handed the disc to my wife and asked her to do it, please.
May 11, 2009