The Leader in Diesel Performance
Introducing the Banks 870T2B Duramax V8: A New Era of Diesel Performance. Our latest engine features a groundbreaking big pin stroker crank, enhanced rod bearing diameter, and a long con rod design. This innovative combination is designed to deliver exceptional power and durability across a wide range of applications, from drag racing to marine offshore engines.
Uncover the secrets behind Jay Leno’s Tank Car’s turbocharged power with our in-depth look at wastegates and exhaust systems. Learn how expert engineers tackle challenges like heat management and boost control to create a high-performance machine. Discover the intricacies of stainless steel tubing, V-band flanges, and custom-built components as we delve into the engineering process. Whether you’re a gearhead or simply curious about automotive innovation, this episode offers a front-row seat to the world of turbocharging.
Gale Banks shares his early experiences with forced induction and air density. He discusses his time racing at Bonneville and the challenges of achieving high speeds in low-density air. He explains how he used a “poor man’s supercharging system” to improve air density and boost performance. Gale emphasizes the importance of air density in engine performance and how forced induction can significantly improve it. He hints at a new way of measuring air density potential, suggesting a groundbreaking approach to engine tuning and performance optimization.
Unleashing a Thirsty Beast: Fueling a V12 Monster
Craving unmatched power and performance? This deep dive into a custom V12 build reveals the heart of the beast: its fuel system. To feed this insatiable engine, we’ve harnessed the power of three high-performance Bosch fuel pumps, capable of delivering nearly three gallons of fuel per minute. This isn’t your average sedan upgrade; it’s a symphony of engineering designed to push the boundaries of automotive performance. Join us as we transform a classic into a modern-day powerhouse.
Episode #5: Electronic Fuel Injection
Discover the engineering marvel behind Jay Leno’s Tank Car’s transformation in this in-depth look at its new electronic fuel injection system. From custom wire looms to a cutting-edge Bosch engine management controller, learn how Banks engineers tackled this complex project. Explore the intricacies of the system, including sensor placement, trigger wheel design, and oxygen sensor integration. Get a glimpse into the meticulous process of tuning a V12 engine for optimal performance and efficiency.
Jay to Gale: Hey, Can You Banks This?
Part Four in a Series. Follow along with us as we take a behind-the-scenes trip through the Banks Advanced Prototype Engineering laboratory to view the magical transformation of a Cold War-era giant into a modern superpower.
Part Four in a Series: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Banks Race Shop with our mock up M-47 Patton Tank Engine in the foreground. The 4 magnetos, 2 per bank are visible on the front gear case. Jays Tank Car is in the background, our diesel pro stock truck project is on the chassis jig to the right and the wing of our diesel dragster is visible over the rollaway tool boxes.
One of Gale’s goals when converting Jay’s engine to electronic fuel injection was to improve driveability and throttle response. These twin 75mm throttle bodies, designed for Ford Mustang applications, replace the original Stromberg 2bbl. carburetors. We could have gone bigger, but this was a good compromise for off-idle transition. We’ve modified them with new throttle levers and covers over the idle bypass ports. A single throttle position sensor mounts on the right side throttle.
The AV 1790 V12 has a long rotating shaft across the front of the engine to link the carburetor throttles together. We’ll fabricate new throttle pull-rods to utilize the original cross-shaft. In this photo the two right bank magneto covers (there are four magnetos) have been removed. Although we could have converted the engine to electronic ignition, Gale wanted to retain the magnetos to maintain the period look.
With the manifolds, throttles and turbos in place, we can begin to mock up the boost tubes that connect the turbo compressors to the engine. Here the right boost tube has yet to be trimmed to align with the throttle body. It sure is convenient to have both the Tank Car and a mock-up engine available for fitting parts.
Like the intake manifolds, the boost tubes are a fabricated combination of machined transitions and elbow bends. The shuttle valve will mount atop the 4-bolt flange next to the throttle body inlet.
The finished boost tube with shuttle valve mounted. The 3/4-inch manifold pressure reference tube is connected to the fitting on the end of the shuttle valve. A short section of 4-inch diameter silicone hose joins the boost tube to the throttle body. The discharge horn on top of the shuttle valve was later changed to a side-exit design to prevent road debris from sticking the valve open.
Now that we’ve finished the intake side of the turbo system, we can turn our attention to the exhaust. The AV 1790 engines had a beautifully streamlined pair of center-outlet stainless exhaust manifolds nested in the engine valley. Later versions like these even had expansion bellows flex-joints between adjacent cylinders. Because the flow dynamics looked so good, we decided to retain these manifolds.
One source of trouble on the AV 1790 exhaust manifolds was leakage at the outlet flanges. With the higher exhaust pressure and temperature associated with turbocharging, we couldn’t afford any leaks. We solved this by removing the original flat flanges and welding on a set of 4-inch stainless v-band step-flanges that we made for our Sidewinder Duramax road-race truck.
While the manifolds were off the engine, we added fittings for exhaust temperature probes to aid in tuning. Look at the exquisite design of the original flanges and elbow sections. Those elbows are two-piece clamshell stampings, seam-welded together!
Unleashing the Beast: Transforming a Cold War Tank Engine into a Modern Powerhouse
Witness the incredible journey of a Cold War-era tank engine as it’s reborn into a high-performance masterpiece. This in-depth series offers a rare glimpse into the world-class engineering behind the transformation. From overcoming engineering challenges to meticulous component fabrication, follow along as experts breathe new life into this iconic powerplant. Discover how cutting-edge technology meets classic design in this must-see series for automotive enthusiasts and performance seekers alike.
Unleashing the Beast: A Deep Dive into Turbocharging a 30-Liter V12
Witness the extraordinary journey of transforming a colossal Chrysler V12 into a twin-turbo powerhouse. Renowned engine builder Gale Banks shares exclusive insights into this monumental project, from intricate design and engineering challenges to precision craftsmanship. Discover the secrets behind creating a fuel-injected behemoth that will leave you breathless. This in-depth series offers a rare glimpse into the world of high-performance engine building and is a must-watch for automotive enthusiasts and those dreaming of upgrading their ride.
Unleashing the Beast: A V12 Powerhouse Reborn
Ever wondered what it takes to transform a legendary V12 engine into a 1600+ horsepower monster? Join us as we dive into the intricate process of rebuilding Jay Leno’s rare AV 1790 Chrysler/Continental V12. From sourcing a spare engine to designing custom intake manifolds, we’re pulling back the curtain on a project that will redefine automotive performance. Stay tuned for the next installment where we tackle the challenging task of welding and machining these massive components.
A friend asked for a race car sponsorship recently, but we usually don’t do that. When it comes to race cars, trucks or boats…it’s more fun to