GM 8.3L Duramax Diesel: Gale Banks Does the Math
Gale Banks breaks down the math behind GM’s new 8.3L Duramax V8 (L6P “Mongoose”), evaluating its 555 HP rating, CGI block, flat torque curve, and how a Derringer tuner on an L5P beats it today.
Project Syclone
1990 Syclone LSR — World Record 204.145 mph
“Banks team of Bonneville veterans’ fine-tuned race strategy tweaked the truck to top performance. It put GMC in a very exclusive club. When you consider they took a stock, compact pickup with a stock engine, using only modifications that are available off-the-shelf today — Banks adapted that truck and made it capable of going over 200 mph, that is quite an achievement…Two attempts. Two records.” —Assault on the Salt (television)
Despite the aerodynamics of a brick, the Banks – GMC Syclone pickup truck topped 210 mph. The Syclone was equipped with a Gale Banks naturally-aspirated, intercooled, fuel-injected 5.0L V6 engine, and became the World’s Fastest Pickup and the first pickup to exceed 200 mph at the time. Banks prepared, operated and maintained the 535 hp S-15, smashing two land speed records, and breaking the previous record by more than 60 mph. Two clones of the S-15 were built for drag racing, fathering the pro stock truck category in NHRA.
“Banks is recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on turbocharging technology for diesel and gasoline engines. Banks has worked directly with the Big Three automakers in product development and has even been called upon to head up several speed and racing campaigns, including a GMC Syclone that ran more than 200 mph at Bonneville.” —Sport Truck
Project Photo Gallery
Latest News
- Vintage Banks Truck Concept
Gale Banks discusses his “Banks 502” concept truck, a 1980s-era C1500 Silverado powered by a twin-turbocharged 502 cubic-inch V8 engine. This high-performance truck was part of a larger racing effort with GM, but the project ultimately took a different direction. The 502 concept truck remains a testament to Banks’ innovative spirit and his vision for ...Read more - Speed School Podcast Ep 5 | Scott Birdsall
Gale Banks interviews Scott Birdsall, a renowned racer and Pike’s Peak record holder, on the Speed School Podcast. They discuss Scott’s racing history, including his iconic Cummins-powered 1949 Ford F1 truck, “Old Smokey.” Scott also reveals his plans to compete in the 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a new EcoDiesel-powered Le Mans Prototype ...Read more - 1989 GMC Syclone Land Speed Truck
Banks Power: From Big Block Dreams to Unexpected Speed Records Gearheads, listen up! Buckle up for a story of innovation and hot rodding ingenuity. Banks Power aimed to build a monster of a land-speed record truck: a twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive Sierra with a massive 502 cubic inch engine. But fate (and GM) had other plans. Enter the ...Read more - Faster Than A Syclone
World’s Fastest Pickup Records: Syclone vs. Sidewinder Discover the thrilling history of pickup truck speed records. From the iconic Syclone to the diesel-powered Sidewinder, we’ve dominated the Bonneville Salt Flats. Our legacy of performance and innovation is unmatched. Upgrade your truck and experience the power and capability that defines our brand.Read more - Duramax engines – GMC Syclone – Senator Huff videos – Big sale
Duramax Engines, Performance Legends, and Engineering Brilliance Discover the power of Duramax with Banks. From custom Duramax engine builds to groundbreaking performance records, we’re redefining diesel. Learn about our history-making Syclone, a testament to our gasoline expertise. Explore exclusive videos featuring Senator Huff and industry insights. Don’t settle for ordinary – elevate your vehicle with Banks.Read more - ’94-97 PowerStroke
Product Review: Gale Banks Engineering’s PowerPack System For The ’94-’97 Ford 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel.Read more - Project Syclone
1990 Syclone LSR — World Record 204.145 mph “Banks team of Bonneville veterans’ fine-tuned race strategy tweaked the truck to top performance. It put GMC in a very exclusive club. When you consider they took a stock, compact pickup with a stock engine, using only modifications that are available off-the-shelf today — Banks adapted that truck ...Read more - World’s Fastest Pickup
Despite possessing the aerodynamics of a brick, Banks/GMC Syclone pickup truck tops 210 mph, becoming both World’s Fastest Pickup Truck and the first pickup to exceed 200 mph. Banks 210-mph Project Syclone becomes World’s Fastest Pickup Truck; it is later marketed as the GMC Syclone GMC General Manager, John Rock asked Gale for a suggestion on marketing ...Read more
Latest News
Duramax CoolRunner Oil Pan: Fix Dirty Trapped Oil
Discover the dirty secret hidden in factory Duramax oil pans: an elevated drain plug that traps nearly a half-quart of contaminated sludge every oil change, and how the Banks CoolRunner pan cures it with complete drainage, FlowThru cooling fins, and +2 quarts capacity.
New 2024-2026 Duramax Monster Exhaust: True 5″
Banks introduces the world’s only true 5-inch DPF-back Monster Exhaust for 2024–2026 Duramax 6.6L trucks, using a patented Exhaust Pressure Module to cut backpressure without triggering check engine lights or melting trailers.
Banks R866SC V8 6.6L Supercharged Diesel
The Banks R866SC V8 6.6L Supercharged Diesel is an engineering powerhouse delivering 600-650 horsepower. Featuring a 3.8L Whipple supercharger and custom FEAD, this complete package is built for extreme performance.
2024-2026 Duramax Fuel Economy: Banks Derringer
Banks Derringer High Output tuner does more than just add power to your 2024–2026 Duramax 6.6L. Level 2 is specifically calibrated for improving fuel economyby adding more boost and optimizing fuel injection. And, Level 2 delivers an impressive 60 hp and 90 lb-ft to the wheels. For even more power, bump up to Levels 3-6 for power increases up to 86 hp and 178 […]
Cummins Grid Heater Bolt Fix: Banks Monster-Ram
On all 6.7L Cummins, the factory grid-heater bolt is a known risk: if it breaks loose and reaches cylinder #6, engines are replaced—not repaired—an outcome costing north of $30,000. If you do nothing: the stock grid-heater bolt stays in the system—every start is a roll of the dice, and other replacements “fixes” still choke air flow. […]
Killer Grid Heater Bolt: Hector’s Close Call
Hector’s 2015 RAM 3500 threw an intake-heater code, then his remote start system stopped working. He pulled his intake plate after reading about the killer grid heater bolt. To his horror and delight, he saw “the nut had broken off and was just sitting there” — one drive from disaster. Rather than install another factory heater plate, […]
6.7 Cummins Monster-Ram: Smooth Intake Airflow
Your 6.7L’s stock intake elbow kills airflow with its sharp bend and restrictive air path. That added restriction makes the turbo work harder and dulls response. A Banks Monster-Ram intake elbow takes a different route—literally. We rerouted the #1 fuel line and replaced the restrictive grid heater which allowed us to open the air path and remove […]
RAM Grid Heater Failure: How It Happens & The Fix
RAM 6.7L engines can suffer catastrophic damage as a result of a bolt inside the factory grid heater, which melts and drops into the intake manifold. In this 8-minute close-up, you’ll see exactly what fails, where to look on your truck, and the upgrade that removes the weak link. If you own a 6.7L, this […]
Banks Power 2025 Performance Stats | By the Numbers
Banks Power by the Numbers breaks down the real data behind a record-setting 2025—from millions of video views to testing fuel burned and parts shipped worldwide.
Gale Banks Meets Canadian Diesel Mechanic
A Canadian diesel mechanic visits Banks Power and gets a firsthand lesson from Gale Banks on air density, cold starts, and real engineering behind reliable diesel performance.
Gale Banks Visits Dave Bell at Dave’s Auto Center
“This video is a huge full-circle moment for me,” says an emotional Dave Bell, owner of Dave’s Auto Center in Centerville, Utah and the star of the wildly popular YouTube channel of the same name. “I’ve looked up to Gale Banks since I was 15 years old,” Bell continues. “His engineering and genius has paved the […]