Video: Banks D-Max Type-R GMC race truck
Okay... our love for rattling heavy-duty pickups notwithstanding, the idea of a Duramax-powered GMC race truck still seems odd, even though a half-year has passed since we first mentioned this monster. But with Audi's oil-burning R10 taking the checkered flag last month at Sebring, maybe Gale Banks doesn't have a proverbial loose rod bolt or two.
To prove that progress has been made on this monster over the winter, Banks has posted an update with some video clips on the company's website. None of them will raise goosebumps like Climb Dance, but it's still pretty cool to see a big red pickup truck doing skidpad testing without looking like one of those Consumer Reports rollover tests. And we definitely feel sorry for the Miata driver at Buttonwillow that was overtaken by the D-Max - that had to be a somewhat scary (and humbling) experience.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ted K 4:16PM (5/02/2006)
Please, take that Miata back where it belongs; in a parking lot with cones.
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WRCFan 4:16PM (5/02/2006)
Drive a performance diesel and you WILL be converted.
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Aaron 4:24PM (5/02/2006)
It says "Buttonwillow" on the video on the right but that's the "Streets of Willow Springs" which is a few hours away. I've been to both.
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Micah 4:44PM (5/02/2006)
Why?
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Tad 5:07PM (5/02/2006)
WRCfan is right...a lot of people just dont understand the power and torque those performance diesels provide. How many 6k lb trucks are faster than high end sports cars? Granted the Banks truck has been tubbed and gutted but its still fun to watch that thing whip around!
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gbh 5:10PM (5/02/2006)
If you ever get the chance to drive a euro-diesel in the EU, as mentioned by#2, you will be converted.
Once we in the US finally get the ultra-low sulfur diesel that is required, we should see some really interesting diesel powered stuff.
Don't recall who's it was, but there was a V10 racing diesel on display at PRI in Dec 2004. It is really amazing what common-rail and turbos can do.
As to where the Miata belongs, all it needs is a moderate build to ~350 HP. You'll never see that truck, except when you lap it.
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Mattias 4:56AM (5/03/2006)
Ugly truck engine, this Duramax. Great for low revvs, but for racing?
GM knows that these utility vehicle engines are not the best choice even for Hummer H3s. So they sold part of their stakes in ISUZU and teamed up with VM Motori. VM not only builds the 2.8l from the Jeep Liberty (and the four door wrangler), but also some nice V6 Diesels.
Rumors are that the European Hummer H3 will get the 60, four camshaft 3.0l that was recently upgraded to 184kW and Euro5 (that works in California too):
http://www.vmmotori.it/en/01/00/01/dettaglio.jsp?id=9
I would really like to see an 90 4.0 based on this engine...
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dave 11:41AM (5/03/2006)
Sorry, there's nothing "moderate" about building a Miata up to 350hp. That's forced induction and new fuel delivery at the very least.
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