News Releases – 2009

Banks Power Presence at PRI Unleash hidden power in your diesel vehicle! Banks Power showcased their latest performance parts at the PRI Show, including a new line of high-performance Duramax diesel V-8 engines and the innovative Banks iQ, a user-friendly interface that provides engine data and control over performance upgrades. This is exciting news for automotive enthusiasts looking to upgrade their trucks and unlock new levels of power and control. Read more

The Banks Blue Motor Replicating one of circle-jet boat racing most successful and most celebrated engines — a 454 cubic inch, twin-turboed, 2,000 horsepower Read more

Engine and More Engines A number of large crates have been delivered with the latest versions of the most popular light truck diesel engines Read more

FINDING A BALANCE - THE ART AND SCIENCE OF ENGINE BALANCING Competent motor builders stack the decks in their favor by using every trick in the book to make their power plant last — and one of those "tricks" is balancing the rotating assembly of an engine. Read more

FORD POWER STROKE 6.0L Part 3: Cylinder Head Install This month we install the rebuilt heads using ARP studs and a new gasket set, and reinstall or replace valvetrain components as necessary. Read more

New Banks iQ Device Wins Three 2009 SEMA Global Media Awards The new Banks iQ wins three SEMA Global Media Awards. Las Vegas, Nevada - - In addition to all the Read more

New Banks iQ Device Wins Three 2009 SEMA Global Media Awards The new Banks iQ wins three SEMA Global Media Awards. Las Vegas, Nevada - - In addition to all the Read more

Banks ACE Shop Floor Layout Changes Banks Power Invests in Cutting-Edge Diesel Injector Test Bench Banks Power, a leader in diesel performance and efficiency, is excited to announce a significant upgrade to its testing capabilities. The company has acquired a state-of-the-art diesel injector test bench to enhance research and development on high-performance diesel systems. This advanced equipment allows Banks engineers to meticulously test and optimize injectors under extreme conditions, leading to groundbreaking improvements in power, fuel economy, and emissions reduction for today's diesel trucks, SUVs, and automobiles. Read more

TOTAL TOWING CONTROL Banks SpeedBrake Uses VGT Technology for Improved Stopping Power (on an LMM-powered Chevy 2500HD). Thanks to the diesel aftermarket, many Read more

FORD POWER STROKE 6.0L Part 2: Evaluating Injectors and Rebuilding the Cylinder Heads Part two of the 6.0L Power Stroke re-build project, were we find out what failed and what didn't, and see the opportunities for upgrades. Read more

Banks Power Twin Turbo Power for Las Vegas Trike Want to unleash the ultimate power on three wheels? Las Vegas Trikes and Banks Power have teamed up to create a monster trike with a Banks Twin-Turbo engine producing an earth-shattering 800 horsepower! This head-turning machine is not for the faint of heart, but for those seeking an adrenaline-pumping ride, it's the ultimate thrill. Check out the full story and see if you can handle the Widowmaker! Read more

Designs and Designers With large numbers of new Banks Power products coming on line annually and a like number of very short-run specialized Read more

Banks iQ is a Breakthrough The Banks iQ is here and you've never seen anything like it. Click to discover more about the product that Read more

Famed Hot Rodder Sees Opportunity in Clean Diesel Tech From The New York Times: We sat down with Gale Banks and came away with a genuine hot-rodder's perspective on the future of clean diesel engines and fuels. Read more

The Bosch-Banks Sidewinder Jetta TDI Bosch asks Banks to take a look at a diesel powered machine as it comes from Volkswagen. They drop a Read more

Ford 6.4L Techni-Cooler Banks Techni-Cooler is the best aftermarket improvement you can make, especially if you climb steep hills or do heavy-duty towing. Read more

FORD POWER STROKE 6.0L Part 1: What Fails and Why In this 6.0L Power Stroke re-build project, find out what failed and what didn't, and see the opportunities for upgrades. Read more

It is Alive - Banks Marine Engine in the Dyno Cel How did the V-8 monster diesel engine spring to life? Here's the inside story. By Kevin Callahan By the time Read more

Diesel Directions MOTOR PRESS GUILD Luncheon Meeting with Bosch and Banks. Listen to the audio! Photos:  By Pete Lyons and Albert Wong Read more

Adam Carolla Podcast with Gale Banks Want to soup up your car or truck? Gale Banks, performance parts legend, joins Adam Carolla on Carcast to discuss new clean diesel tech, Banks Power products, and his crazy fast diesel drag vehicles! Learn how Banks gets extreme performance out of any engine, see his tricked-out VW Jetta TDI and monster S-10 drag truck, and hear all about Banks Power's latest innovations. Read more

Adam Carolla Podcast with Gale Banks Gale Banks Hangs With Funnyman Adam Carolla on his "Carcast" Show and talks about the Banks Sidewinder S-10 drag truck Read more

Secret Spy Photos of Banks Power Marine Turbo-diesel Revealed We’ll give you the full inside scoop when the crew can stop and take a breath, but there’s a really Read more

The Banks Engine Test Cells - State of the Art and Ever-Changing There are a number of areas located throughout the 11+ acre Banks design and manufacturing facility that are dedicated specifically Read more

Slow Down with SpeedBrake The Sophisticated Engine Brake for Diesels (on an ‘07 Chevrolet Duramax). Read more

QUICK STOPPING – QUICKER INSTALL Diesel technology has continued to evolve. Read more

Two SpeedBrake reviews The Banks SpeedBrake is reviewed in Diesel World and in Trailer Life. (on a 2008 Chevy 2500HD then a 2006 Read more

The Banks Environmental Test Chamber This unusual-looking unit is an "environmental test chamber," the electronic equivalent of one Banks' engine dynamometers, it's the place where Read more

Banks Dodge High-Ram New Banks CNC Ported 3" & 3½" High-Rams Kick Major Ass! WE'VE CREATED A MONSTER!The Banks High-Rams are designed in Read more

Stopping Power How to install the new Banks SpeedBrake (on an '08 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD). Read more

Tow Rig Stopping Power The Banks Brake with CBC-Smartlock makes the job easy (for the ‘04-07 Dodge Ram). We've been toying with this particular Read more

Desert Diesel Nationals The NHRDA's Season Opener in Phoenix saw the Banks Sidewinder S-10 set a record. Read more

Gale Banks Joins Racing Legends Signing Pinewood Racer for SEMA Charity Auction The highly-anticipated second annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Race, presented by eBay Motors, will be held on August 1, 2009, at Read more

Late-Breaking News Diesel World magazine gives an update on the industry, including the NHRDA event where the Banks S-10 had a 7.77 at 180 mph run. Read more

Banks SpeedBrake New Electronic Device For GM’s Duramax Uses The Turbocharger To Slow the Vehicle Read more

Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum "Banks Power: The First 50 Years" is a very thorough exhibit containing memorabilia from the Banks long career and features Read more

Gale Banks Helps Open Pep Boys' First "Speed Shop" – New Division To Feature Full Line Of Banks Power Products Gale Banks was on hand on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31 to help celebrate the grand opening of Read more

Banks Talks Tech - Turbo Wastegate Unlock More Power: Upgrade Your Diesel with a Performance Wastegate Actuator Looking to unleash the hidden potential of your diesel engine? A stock wastegate actuator might be holding you back. Upgrade to a performance wastegate actuator and experience quicker boost spool, improved mid-range torque, and increased top-end power. Learn more about how Banks Big Head actuator optimizes boost pressure for superior diesel performance Read more

Warrior In Repose (From the Archives - 04.12.02) We have told you about some of the exciting projects currently under construction in the Banks race shop, but we have some good skeletons in the closet here at Banks, too. Read more

Mercedes Pro Mod (From the Archives - Circa 2002) Mercedes Benz 500-SL Time Machine Combining the technology of the Stealth Fighter, the class of Mercedes Benz and the engineering prowess of Banks, this project is the ultimate blend of Funny Car and Pro Stock. Years ahead of its time in design and construction, the Benz project has been literally hand-crafted by Banks' own speed demon, Rick "Speed" Lefever. Read more

Banks Talks Tech Diesel Engines: No Longer Slow and Smelly Diesel engines have come a long way and are now considered a strong option for performance vehicles. They offer advantages over gasoline engines in terms of power, torque, and fuel economy. Modern diesels are also quiet, easy to start, and environmentally friendly. If you're looking for a powerful and economical option for your next vehicle, a diesel engine might be the right choice for you. Read more

What makes a good exhaust brake? (From the Archives - Circa November 2004) As the owner of a diesel engine-powered pickup, such as the Duramax, you already know that there is precious little braking effect when you back off the throttle. Even driving in Tow/Haul mode on automatic transmission-equipped vehicles does not significantly increase engine braking. Driving with the vehicle heavily loaded, or while pulling a trailer, down a long grade can seriously test your vehicle's braking system as you continually apply the brakes to keep downhill speed in check. Read more

The Gearhead Bash (From the Archives - 07.26.02) For many years, since establishing their Shady Grove Farm in Bradbury, California, Gale and family have held a large Christmas party for relatives, friends, co-workers, and associates. Since many of these people tended to be gearheads of one type or another, they'd arrive in a broad variety of interesting vehicles. Read more

Brandons Power Stroke Wins Truck Pull Unleash Your Truck's Hidden Power: A Ford F-250 Dominates Truck Pull Competition Discover how a bone-stock Ford F-250, equipped with simple yet effective Banks Power upgrades, shocked competitors and claimed victory at the prestigious October Showdown. Learn the secrets behind maximizing torque, tire selection, and driving technique to outperform higher horsepower trucks. This isn't just about truck pulls; it's about unlocking your vehicle's full potential for everyday driving and towing. Read more

Bonneville Speed Week 2002 Unleash Your Inner Speed Demon at Bonneville Dreaming of pushing your vehicle to the limit? Bonneville Speed Week is the ultimate proving ground for automotive enthusiasts. From record-breaking streamliners to modified production cars, this legendary event showcases the pinnacle of automotive engineering and innovation. Witness firsthand the thrill of speed as daring drivers conquer the salt flats in pursuit of glory. Whether you're a spectator or a competitor, Bonneville offers an unparalleled experience that will ignite your passion for performance and inspire your next vehicle upgrade. Read more

Header Flanges (From the Archives - 04.05.02) You might think that discussing header flanges is about as exciting as listening to a lengthy dissertation on muffler bearings. In most cases, you'd be right. But when I toured the tube shop here at Banks, the first thing that got my attention were the header flanges. They're the thickest and flattest I've ever seen. There are several reasons for this. Read more

Crazy Magazine Stunt (From the Archives - 03.01.02) As I said in my introduction, the Friday Night News won't necessarily talk about what's happening this week at Gale Banks Engineering. We might talk about what's happening now, what's in the future, or what happened in the past. Here's one from a decade and a half ago. Read more

Six-Gun takes 3rd at Baja 1000 David Downs Goliath at Baja (From the Archives - Circa November 2004) A virtually stock 2003 Cummins diesel-powered Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Pickup truck takes 3rd Place in the “Stock Full” class at 2004 Baja 1000. The truck is equipped with Banks’ Six-Gun Bundle. Read more

Interaction (From the Archives - 01.25.02) I have a confession to make (I know some of you are into confessional mode). Before I started this job, I didn't know how to use a computer as anything other than a typewriter. My computer at home is connected only to itself. I write to disc. If I had to email something, I handed the disc to my wife and asked her to do it, please. Read more

"Banks Power - The first 50 years" Opens at Wally Parks NHRA Museum 50 years of automotive and marine engineering innovation was put on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum to honor Gale Banks and his achievements. Read more

FINAL PREPS ... It might not look like it in these pictures, but, when these shots were taken, the Banks Top Diesel Dragster was only a few hours away from going into the trailer for its first trip to the test track. Read more

Built for Speed - Two Banks Machines for the Price of One Unleash your inner speed demon! Banks Power is set to redefine diesel performance with the debut of its Top Diesel Dragster and Sidewinder S-10 pickup truck at the TS Performance Outlaw Drags on May 9th in Bowling Green, KY. Witness history in the making as these two powerhouse machines aim to shatter records and redefine the limits of diesel power. Ready to upgrade your ride? Look no further than Banks Power for innovation and adrenaline-pumping performance. Read more

2,500 Horsepower Unleashed: Banks' New Top Diesel Dragster AND Record-Shattering S-10 Pickup ... Both To Compete!Saturday, May 9 - "TS Performance Outlaw Drags" Read more

Gentlemen, start your (dragster) engines The beast hath reared its ugly head. Okay, it's not so ugly. It is quite a beautiful sight. But that sound! I wanted to savor it, like a good cigar, or my favorite flavor of ice cream. The sound permeated every inch of the race shop. Read more

Some Serious Progress Being Made On The Banks Top Dragster... April 2009, After a strong reception at its spectacular unveiling at the SEMA Show last November, the new Banks Sidewinder Top Diesel Dragster had to wait its turn in line while the Banks S-10 Sidewinder Pickup* went out to the starting line a few last times to finish up its development work with the powerful GMC Duramax engine that will also power the Dragster. Read more

This Just In From Jay Leno's Garage Burbank, California March 21, 2009 - When Jay Leno calls from the Big Dog Garage and asks: "What's new?" No one jokes back: "New York, New Jersey, or New Brunswick." What Gale Banks answered back was the news that his diesel-powered Chevy S-10 Duramax-powered drag truck had just set both a new ET number and a top speed record. Leno immediately answered back with a invitation for Banks to bring the speedy Sidewinder out to Jay's Garage for a twelve (plus) minute walk-around of the machine. Quite a day Jay! Read more

Arm Wrestling or Q and A Diesel Cars: The Future is Here Modern diesel engines have come a long way, offering superior fuel efficiency, torque, and longevity compared to their gasoline counterparts. Despite misconceptions about diesel being slow, smoky, and noisy, today's diesel vehicles are clean, powerful, and environmentally friendly. While economic challenges have temporarily slowed diesel adoption by some automakers, European brands like Volkswagen are leading the charge with affordable, high-quality diesel options. Read more

Destination: Capitol of California I'm writing this from my hotel room in Sacramento, Ca. See, Gale and I were invited to participate in an event Bosch is putting on here at the state's capital called California Diesel Days. The intention of this outing is to raise the awareness of the legislative group in the toughest and most mandated "Green" state in the Union... Read more

Swimming at the Boat Show or Taking the Marine Engine Plunge Well, it's been a long time coming but we finally were there: the Miami International Boat Show. Well... we visited the thing for a few years in a row as a guest of General Motors, but this year we were on display and officially showing off our marinized Duramax diesel engine which we will be testing soon. Read more

Gale Banks To Moderate Clean Diesel Automaker Roundtable Gale Banks has been chosen to moderate the Clean Diesel Automaker Roundtable at the upcoming California Diesel Days conference. Azusa, Read more

Greener than green or bio-shocked There are certain moments that you remember from your youthful days that are so vivid that you can actually recall every detail of that point in time: what you were wearing, what something smelled like, etc. These events can be good, bad, important or just plain trivial. As for me I have many of those "scrapbook" memories taking up valuable space on the hard drive in my head, but one especially stands out in this day and age that we're in. Read more

0 - 50 Years in 63 1/2 Feet... Calling all motorsports enthusiasts! Dive into the rich history of Gale Banks Engineering at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum's "Banks Power: The First 50 Years" exhibit. This comprehensive display features a 63-foot timeline showcasing the company's journey from a one-man shop to an industry leader. Alongside the historical timeline, visitors can explore 17 significant engines and race vehicles that represent Banks' endless pursuit of performance perfection. Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness the evolution of automotive and marine engineering excellence! Read more

Stock intake manifold vs. Banks Big Hoss Hey again guys and gals. I'm getting some questions as to how the stock intake manifold compares to the Banks Big Hoss manifold. I could go on and on about the details but I figured that a picture is worth a thousand words so here's the comparison (if you can really call it that). I do need to point out here that these are for hardcore engine builds ONLY. This is for you guys wanting 1000hp+ without having to run 100psi of boost. This isn't something you can bolt on in an hour for your daily driver. These parts are straight off our drag race/road race trucks. Caution: LOTS OF PICTURES! Read more

This Just In From Jay Leno's Garage Gale takes the Sidewinder S-10 drag truck over to Jay Leno's for some fun and burnouts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYBSog51how Burbank, California March Read more

The Snake on the Wall There it was, all 19 (and change) feet of gleaming black carbon fiber: the Banks Top Diesel Sidewinder main body, floating there in space, 6 feet high with that really “speed hungry” looking snake on the side that seems spitting out a warning to watch out for some Duramax diesel-powered drag racing speed in the very near future. Read more

7 seconds - Part 3 Upgrade Your Ride for Peak Performance: Lessons from a Record-Breaking Drag Racer Want to push your vehicle to its limits? Look no further than the secrets of drag racing! This high-octane sport reveals the importance of performance upgrades and expert maintenance for peak power. See how a champion crew fine-tuned their truck, achieving record-breaking speeds through strategic modifications and meticulous care. Discover how you can optimize your own car's performance for a thrilling, winning drive. Read more

7 seconds - Part 2 Unleash the Power of Diesel Performance: Witness the Sidewinder S-10 Dominate at the Drag Strip! Upgrade your truck's potential with proven diesel performance modifications. This excerpt showcases a tricked-out diesel S-10 leaving the competition in the dust at a drag race. Learn how to unlock hidden power and transform your truck into a racing champion! Read more

Marine Animal Going quicker and faster than any other diesel-powered vehicle on the dragstrip is the obvious incentive for building the Sidewinder dragster. Read more

Seven Seconds - Part 1 Seven seconds. It doesn’t sound like a long period of time does it? Think about it for a minute. Seven seconds. It actually takes longer then seven seconds to even write out the words “seven seconds”. It takes me longer than that to unlock my truck, put on my seat belt, and start the ignition. But in the short span of just about seven seconds, the Banks Sidewinder S-10 drag truck has gone from a dead stop to over 180 miles per hour... Read more

Banks Sidewinder S-10 Breaks Its Own Record BANKS SIDEWINDER S-10 BREAKS ITS OWN RECORD(S)STUNNING 7.770-SECOND RUN AT 180 MILES-PER-HOUR! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkru4au8GqI Azusa, Calif.  March 9, 2009 - -  Read more

Gale Banks Receives 2009 Distinguished Service Citation The Automotive Hall of Fame has selected Gale Banks to receive one of their 2009 Distinguished Service Citations. Read more

World's Fastest Diesel-Powered Drag Truck will "Ride Again" at NHRDA Nationals March 7th Event To Feature Famous Record-Setting Banks S-10 Sidewinder Azusa, California - -  Perhaps diesel drag racing's most recognizable Read more

"MARINE” MEDIA ADVISORY Banks Power exhibited a very cool new "Banks Marine" power unit at the just-concluded Miami International Boat Show. MARINE MEDIA Read more

BANKS NEW GM-DURAMAX MARINE V-8 ENGINE ON EXHIBIT AT 2009 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW Banks Power will take part in the Miami International Boat Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center February 12 -16. Read more

The Banks Brake THE BANKS BRAKE Upon inspection I found the casting (cast iron) of the brake's elbow was massive, and the surfaces Read more

BANKS RECEIVES 2009 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CITATION FROM AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME Gale Banks today received a 2009 Distinguished Service Citation from The Automotive Hall of Fame at their annual luncheon held Read more

Automotive Hall of Fame Announces 2009 Distinguished Service Citation Recipients and 2008 Industry Leader of the Year The Automotive Hall of Fame will award its 2009 Distinguished Service Citation Recipients and recognize its 2008 Industry Leader of Read more

Gale Banks to be honored by Automotive Hall of Fame Gale Banks set to receive the Automotove Hall of Fame's 2009 Distinguished Service Citation in New Orleans. Read more

The World's Quickest Diesel Pickup Breaks New Ground The words "fast" and "diesel" aren't commonly spoken in the same breath. Diesel trucks, the Clydesdales of the truck world, Read more