The Leader in Diesel Performance
Gale Banks compares the Banks Monster-Ram intake system and the BD Killer Grid Heater Upgrade for preventing Cummins grid heater failures. He highlights how the Monster-Ram eliminates the failure point and improves performance, while the BD kit replaces one failure point with another.
Gale Banks addresses the misconception that upgrading a RAM’s intake elbow is pointless due to head flow limitations. He clarifies the difference between CFM (cubic feet per minute – volume) and MAF (mass air flow), explaining that while CFM might be fixed at a given RPM, MAF can be increased by improving air density. The Banks Monster-Ram intake elbow achieves this by significantly increasing mass flow (88.3% over stock at the same pressure drop), allowing for more fuel to be added and thus increasing power. Additionally, the Monster-Ram eliminates the risk of grid heater bolt failure by replacing the stock grid heater with a high-flow billet intake plate and a relocated coil heater.
Banks Power is helping Leonard Petroleum Equipment protect their $2.7 million fleet of 45 RAM trucks from engine damage caused by a faulty grid heater bolt. The Banks Monster-Ram intake eliminates the problematic grid heater assembly found in 2007-2024 RAM 6.7L Cummins engines, improving air mass flow and preventing potential engine failure.
This article discusses common issues with Allison 1000 transmissions, particularly in modified Duramax trucks, including slipping, overheating, and torque converter failure. It highlights how Banks Power’s TransCommand transmission controller addresses these problems by optimizing shift points, increasing line pressure, and improving overall transmission management. The article showcases how TransCommand can extend the life and improve the performance of Allison 1000 transmissions, especially in high-performance applications.
Gale Banks provides insights into the fundamentals of manufacturing at Banks Power in Azusa, California. He emphasizes the importance of in-house control over the entire manufacturing process, from design and engineering to machining, fabrication, and assembly. This allows for stringent quality control, precision, and the ability to adapt quickly to design changes, ultimately leading to superior and reliable performance products.
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.
The Banks Ram-Air Transmission Pan allows for a complete fluid drain in vehicles equipped with the Allison 1000 transmission. Stock pans don’t allow for a full drain. This pan features a magnetic drain plug at the lowest point, facilitating a complete drain without pan removal. It also lowers fluid temperatures. Available for 2001-2019 Duramax, and coming soon for other models.
Traditional boost gauges only measure air pressure, which isn’t a complete picture of engine performance. Banks Power’s iDash digital monitor measures Manifold Air Density (MAD), which accounts for pressure, temperature, and humidity, providing a more accurate reading of an engine’s performance. Higher air density means more oxygen per volume, which is crucial for optimal engine function.
The Monster-Ram intake elbow for the 2007-2024 RAM 6.7L uses rocket nozzle technology to improve airflow. In a video, Gale Banks tests the Monster-Ram against a straight pipe, demonstrating that the Monster-Ram flows more air mass, even with a diffuser attached to the pipe. This results in better throttle response and fuel economy for RAM owners.
The 2011–2014 Ford 6.7L Power Stroke turbo has a reputation for failure. Gale Banks explains why it happens, what changed, and how to prevent it with smart upgrades.