Heart-Stopping Power: Gale Banks' 1200-HP Tri_Charged Duramax

When it comes to motorheads, the hunger for power seems near universal. According to Wikipedia, hot rodding was birthed in Southern California in the late 1930s. People raced modified cars on dry lake beds northeast of L.A. with rules established by organizations like the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA). Unofficial street racing took place anywhere where you had more than a handful of teens and a stretch of straight, flat road.  

Most of these teens grew up and moved on, pursuing careers, supporting families. Then there were the others for whom the experience of speed and power ignited a passion that became the fuel that powered their careers. One of these  boys with an aptitude for mechanics was Gale Banks, now president of Gale Banks Engineering. Three parts engineer, one part "mad scientist", Banks has spent a half century tinkering with technology, keenly focused on improving the internal combustion engine. His special interest has been diesel engines.

To give you an idea of just how far Gale Banks is willing to go to extend the capabilities of diesel engines, Greg Acosta wrote this story for EngineLabs.com: More Power With Less Boost: Banks 1,200-HP Tri-Charged Duramax.

One of the things that makes this article so significant is that the author is not only writing about a briilliant engine builder at the height of his powers, we're encountering the rare transparency of a man who is sharing everything openly. Banks has been part of a world where secrets are the norm. Competition means finding an edge, not sharing your edge. 

The Duramax engine Banks has been incrementally improving is suitably named "Mad Max". It's something he's been focused on and fine tuning for two-and-a-half years. In this article we don't just read details about the power this setup can achieve. In addition, Banks provides a breakdown of what all the readouts mean, and what the dyno data really means. As Acosta puts it, "In a world where data is hoarded and protected like the gold in Fort Knox, Banks is freely sharing not only his findings, but explaining the findings as well."

For Banks, one of the key metrics is Manifold Air Density (MAD). Since it's a Duramax he's been playing with, could this acronym be the secret to why he calls this engine a Mad Max?

Acosta writes, Using his preferred metric of Manifold Air Density, Banks breaks down the amount of air he needs to reach his 1,200-horsepower goal, and how, exactly, it will be measured on the dyno. “Manifold Air Density is the best indication of the engine’s power potential. You can forget about boost pressure, because it’s part of the MAD calculation. Manifold Air Density is the bottom line,” says Banks.

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The engine was originally built for a Monster Truck. If you'veever wondered what those monsters had under the hood, this story will peak your interest on that level, too. The photos draw you in, but the details are what make this a valuable article to be bookmarked by any serious gearhead seeking to learn how to make dyno adjustments for maximum diesel power. 

Here's the link to the full story:

More Power With Less Boost: Banks 1,200-HP Tri-Charged Duramax

https://www.enginelabs.com/news/more-power-with-less-boost-banks-1200-hp-tri-charged-duramax/

 

About Gale Banks

Gale Banks is an American hot rodder, drag racer, engineer, and entrepreneur who grew up in Lynwood, California. His company, Gale Banks Engineering, sells performance parts for automotive and marine engines. It specializes in diesel engines, and high end cutting edge equipment, performance parts, and auxiliaries

--From Engine Labs today