Category: Projects

1986 Banks Trans-Am Smashes Record

Banks Trans Am Crushes Speed Record at 267 MPH!

The Banks Power team joined forces with Pontiac and Popular Mechanics to create a record-breaking Trans Am. This powerhouse featured a monster 1,500 horsepower twin-turbocharged engine built by Gale Banks.

After just three years of development, the Banks Trans Am obliterated the 1968 record of 201 mph. Qualifying at a blistering 211 mph, the car then blasted down the track at over 267 mph, achieving a two-way average speed of 260 mph! Incredibly, this record-breaking feat was accomplished with a fully functional interior featuring air conditioning and a stereo!

July 2, 2020

Geisler-Banks 1953 Studebaker AKA Hanky Panky

Nothing but a little Hanky Panky

Gale Banks and Bruce Geisler’s iconic 1953 Studebaker, “Hanky Panky,” set multiple speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 304 ci small-block Chevy engine, this legendary car pushed the boundaries of automotive performance in the 1970s.

June 25, 2020

1976 Banks Prototypes Volvo’s First Turbo

Volvo and the Rise of Turbocharged Cars: A Match Made in Necessity

The 1970s oil crisis forced a change in the American car. Big engines, once desired for their power, became gas-guzzling burdens. Small engines, while fuel-efficient, lacked the thrill. Enter Volvo and turbocharging. Volvo partnered with a small California race shop, Banks, to create the first turbocharged engine for a computer-controlled car. This innovation debuted in the 1980 Volvo 240 Turbo, offering both fuel economy and a “kick” of power. Volvo’s success with turbocharging paved the way for its widespread adoption in the auto industry, forever changing the landscape of performance.

May 21, 2020

GM Authority Recognizes Diesel Authority

Upgrade your truck’s towing and hauling capabilities with the hidden potential of the Duramax L5P engine. Recent tests revealed the L5P pushing a staggering 912 horsepower and 1,389 lb-ft of torque using stock internals. This translates to a significant jump over factory figures, achieved through modifications like optimized turbocharger piping. Learn more about unlocking the power within your Duramax from the experts at Banks Power!

May 21, 2020

Unclog the clog: Killing a Duramax Pt 12

Banks Power engineers uncovered a significant restriction in the exhaust system of the Duramax L5P engine. By replacing the stock manifold outlet pipes and turbine pedestal with larger diameter components, they were able to unlock additional horsepower and improve overall engine performance. This modification demonstrates the importance of proper exhaust flow and demonstrates how seemingly minor changes can yield substantial results.

April 30, 2020

Duramax Plant Builds 374 Engines

Duramax Engine Plant Revs Back Up to Support Military Vehicle Production

Looking to upgrade your truck’s power? The Duramax engine, known for its muscle in heavy-duty vehicles, recently roared back to life for a critical reason. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Duramax plant in Ohio temporarily reopened to build nearly 400 engines specifically designed for the next-generation Oshkosh JLTV military vehicle. This move not only ensured production of this vital defense equipment but also reignited the spirit of American manufacturing.

April 16, 2020

General Motors reopens Duramax plant during crisis

At the request of Banks Technologies (sister company to Banks Power), General Motors reopened the Duramax engine plant in Moraine, Ohio, to build Banks D866T defense-specific 6.6-liter

April 3, 2020

Sneak Peek: Killing A Duramax

Banks Power is working on a project to build a high-performance Duramax engine, aiming for 900 horsepower without internal engine upgrades. The team is focusing on improving airflow and exhaust systems to achieve this goal. The progress of the project will be documented in a new video series called “Killing a Duramax.”

April 3, 2020

DYNO READY: Building A Monster Truck Engine 11

Monster Duramax Dyno Ready: Twin-Turbo Power Explained!

Want to ditch turbo lag and crank up the horsepower? Look no further than the monster truck world! This episode of Building a Monster Truck Engine dives deep into a dyno-ready, supercharged twin-turbo 7L Duramax. See how the supercharger eliminates lag for instant throttle response, while the turbos push power to a staggering 1300 horsepower. Learn the secrets behind this high-performance build and discover how these principles can be applied to your own vehicle upgrade project!

March 26, 2020

1958: Gale Sells First Racing Engine

Teen Gearhead Scores Dream Car and Rare Indy Engine

Gearhead extraordinaire, Gale Banks, reminisces about his teenage love affair with a classic car and the legendary engine he acquired for it. His dream ride, a 1953 Studebaker Starliner, wasn’t just for cruising – it was a blank canvas for his mechanical ambitions. But fate had other plans. His chance encounter with a rare DOHC Indy engine, originally built for the 1952 Indianapolis campaign, presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This unique piece of automotive history forever changed the course of Banks’ passion project.

March 5, 2020