SEMA Preview: Banks Power to unveil diesel-powered dragster

When I talked to high performance engine impresario Gale Banks at the Detroit Grand Prix a couple of months ago, he mentioned a new project his team is working on. The follow up to the diesel-powered Pro Stock pickup truck is a diesel-powered dragster. Banks Power is currently putting the finishing touches on an NHRA Top Dragster propelled by a 1,200 hp GM Duramax 6.6L diesel V8. The goal is to have this machine be capable of doing consistent 1/4 mile runs at over 200 mph. The new dragster will be shown publicly for the first time at the SEMA show in Las Vegas next week.
Along with the new dragster, Banks Power will also debut its EconoMind tuner. Banks has long produced tuners that allow drivers to recalibrate the engine management systems of their vehicles for more power. The EconoMind is focused on maximizing fuel efficiency. Some of the Autoblog team will be at SEMA and we'll have coverage of the unveiling. The video of my interview with Gale Banks is after the jump.

[Source: Banks Power]

The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.

The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.




SEMA SHOW 2008: BANKS TO SHOW
200+ MPH DIESEL DRAGSTER & MORE SEMA
Debuts: Banks Marine Engine, SpeedBrake™ & EconoMind® Tuner


Azusa, Calif. 10.24.08 - - Banks Power, the nation's pre-eminent producer of complete aftermarket packages that not only power up, but bolster fuel mileage as well in both diesel- and gasoline-powered light trucks, motorhomes, and SUVs; will have some new attention-catching "items" on its stand at the 2008 SEMA Show.

First, foremost (and pretty darn obvious) will be the latest weapon in Gale Banks' "arsenal" of diesel-powered record assault vehicles; his brand new Sidewinder Top Dragster. At almost 300 inches long and powered by a Banks-equipped GM Duramax 6.6 liter V-8; the dart-shaped, projectile is aimed squarely at being the first diesel dragster to make consistent, backed-up 200+ mile per hour runs in the quarter mile.

Sharing space in the Banks display will be the new Banks Marine Engine that's also based on the muscular GM Duramax. Designed to be a state-of-the-art, high performance diesel engine for use in a wide range of boat types; the 6.6 liter diesel engine will be available from Banks in multiple ratings and configurations depending on application and customer requirements. This is the engine that elicited such a positive buzz at the Miami Boat Show earlier in the year. It too will be seen by SEMA show goers for the first time at this show.

Additionally Banks will have all of its latest consumer products on hand including the new EconoMind Tuner®. Designed and produced with the words fuel efficiency foremost on everyone's mind, this latest electronic marvel from Banks helps vehicles to get every last mile out of every drop of fuel, as well as allowing those same vehicles to "flex their muscles" on demand or when encountering steep grades.

Also on view at SEMA will be Banks' brand-new revolutionary SpeedBrake™ for the GM Duramax LBZ & LMM engine. The patented, all-electronic unit is completely adjustable for individual preference as well as for all road and load conditions. During extensive testing this system exceeded expectations and far outperformed any other so-called "competitive products" in all braking functions. In fact, no other company offers anything like the functionality of this exclusive Banks SPEED CONTROL.

The gargantuan SEMA trade show, held annually in Las Vegas, attracts over a million members of the multi-billion dollar automotive aftermarket industry, takes place this year on November 4-7, and is anchored at the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center. Gale Banks Engineering has just begun its NEXT fifty years of design, engineering, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing excellence.

From its founding in 1958, Banks Power has been continuously involved in applying the tough lessons learned in all-out competition to improve street products for everyday users. Generally speaking, Banks customers do not actually need to go 200 or more miles an hour. But most feel that getting the best of power and mileage out of Banks' unflinching quest for speed is a pretty good spin-off.

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