Banks Power

The Leader in Diesel Performance

Banks Insider Time Machine 

2013 Super-Turbo Freightliner takes on Pikes Peak

Stunt driver and avid Freightliner racer Mike Ryan geared up to conquer Pikes Peak once again. Mike and his race-prepped Detroit Diesel DD60 turbocharged straight-six engine powered truck already had the best time on the mountain. Finishing in 12 minutes and 38 seconds, but quick is never fast enough. The truck needed help because of the mountain’s high altitude. The mountainous air decreases the air density and robs the natural power-making ability of the engine. Enter Banks Power.

Supercharging and Turbocharging

Both supercharging and turbocharging engines for more power is nothing new for Banks. Neither is using them both in tandem on the same engine for applications that require immediate throttle response and massive power output. This was one of those occasions that required the aforementioned criteria due to the twists and turns and power-robbing altitude.

Super-Turbo System for the Freightliner

Banks created a Super-Turbo system for the 14.0 liter Detroit Diesel engine that consisted of a one of a kind Banks Ram-Air® tri-filter air intake system, 8.3L Whipple Twin-Screw Supercharger, an S510 Borg Warner Turbocharger, TiAL wastegates and blow-off valves, and Banks-designed and developed drive system, bracketry, and manifolding. The new setup, along with Banks’ AutoMind electronics, more than compensated for the lack of density with the sheer firepower of an estimated 2,400 horsepower and 5,000 pound feet of torque. A massive amount of power, but even with that power and a body constructed entirely from fiberglass and carbon fiber the vehicle weighed in at just over five tons.

Highlights of the Freightliner

  • 2008 Freightliner Cascadia powered by a Banks Super-Turbo equipped 14.0L Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine from Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing, Detroit Diesel custom calibrated DDEC ECU
  • Banks Straight-Shot Water (Intercooler surface cooling fogger and anti-fade brake cooling) and Banks Straight-Shot Water-Methanol injection systems (used for supercharger cooling and intercooling) added a potent 400 hp to the already powerful engine when needed 
  • Banks iQ man-machine interface with GPS 
  • ZF HP 600 5-speed automatic transmission; Meritor RS 17145 differential, 3:07 rear gear
  • Howe Performance rack & pinion steering 
  • Meritor 4-piston air over hydraulic disc brakes, 4-75mm pistons, 17-inch diameter Bendix rotors, front, 15.1-inch diameter rotors, rear; Fras-le brake pads
  • Accuride alloy wheels, F 9.25 x 22.5, R 15.00 x 22.5; Michelin XZUZ Front 305/70 R 22.5, XDA-HT Rear 445/50 R 22.5, truck cases, road race compound
  • King Custom Coil-Over shock absorbers front and rear 
  • Speedway Engineering anti-sway bars, F 2.43-inch, R 1.25-inch 
  • Two Optima 12V batteries 
  • Mastercraft 3G racing seats with DJ Safety seat belts and fire system 
  • The roof shape is from a Stearman Bi-Plane
  • The rear wing is a mid-90’s Indy Champ Car Short course wing double width
  • The frame, chassis and roll cage was designed and built at Freightliner by volunteer engineers and fabricators