Gale Explains Turbo Surge

A properly engineered aftermarket intake elbow, like the Banks Monster-Ram, increases air mass into the compressor, which improves turbo response. The turbo will make the same boost at a lower shaft speed because it’s starting with denser air. However, a poorly engineered intake elbow can induce compressor surge and create heat and unwanted axial forces on the thrust bearing. This robs power and turns your truck into a bucking bronco. In our latest short, Gale explains what compressor surge is and why it’s bad for the life of your turbo.

When we set out to make the best-performing intake elbow for the 2017-2025 Duramax 6.6L, we had to first perfect GM’s anti-surge geometry. As shown in the cut-away above, half of this important feature is built into the stock compressor cover, while the other half is built into the Monster-Ram intake elbow.

Without this geometry, the compressor will surge. Looking at the photo below, Banks is the only aftermarket elbow with proper anti-surge protection. 

After digitally designing, printing, and testing more than 40 iterations, we landed on the perfect shape and size. Your 2017-2025 Duramax will see better throttle response, quicker acceleration, and greater speed on-grade without turbo-killing compressor surge.