Bad News From Gale Banks Engineering

[Bhudda454]

I just got a call back from a info request I submitted yesterday. The gentleman informed me that due to emissions requirements for California, and the cost of S/C options. That Gale Banks has no foreseeable plans of doing any type of turbo or turbo kits for gas trucks. The make a SB chevy twin kit, but that is only for pre-emission hot rod applications. Hopefully we can talk someone into making something for those of us who think that a S/C is over priced for the meager gains.

[Montoya]

I don't think making a kit would be too hard, however engine management, the transmission (control and reliability), and the fact that no company makes an LSD for the rear axle all contribute to the problem. Even if someone makes a tranny controller, better torque converter, and a LSD, the engine management will still be a problem. The engine being drive by wire and using CAN protocol make aftermarket ecu's very hard to get. A reflash would work on a supercharged truck because the supercharger is very consistent and predictable in comparison to a turbocharger. Boost spikes, lag, and fuel management all contribute to turbo charging issues. I for one would love to turbo charge my Titan however I am not going to do it until all of the above issues are solved.

[Vector]

Unfortunately when it comes to turbo performance from Gale, he has placed all of his eggs in one basket. Diesel power. While he is the leader in this area of HUGE performance gains, He has let the gas engine side of his business age. You could buy the exact same twin turbo kit from him for the small block chevy back in the 1980's. He did a lot of performance tuning for twin turbo cars setting many speed records with a Trans Am that he did that went well over the 200mph mark for a street driven car. This car was carburated. He never made an attempt at gasoline fuel injection.

Unfortunately he never made the transition to fuel injection (gasoline that is). He turned his efforts to producing big numbers with the diesel crowd.

Love his products, have his Monster Exhaust inbound for my Titan, should be here Monday or Tuesday. But I wish he would come back from the dark side and give us some gasoline power options.

Come back Gale, Please! Theres no place like home, Theres no place like home........

[jeepinfun]

actually Vector that is not true: you could NOT buy the same TT kit now from Banks that you could back in the 80's..The new TT kit is for FUEL INJ applications and the old 80's kits were for Carb applications.You need to run an accel DFI or Holley commander system to operate their new generation of TT kits.Granted they pretty much own the diesel market and gas car stuff is not a big part of their business anymore, BUT the TT kits they have CAN be adapted to many newer cars and trucks.Some mid 80's and 90's camaro's,firebirds,vettes and trucks.

[Bhudda454]

notice that all the examples are small block chevy. which is what the guy from Banks told me. He did not mention that they have a product out for fuel injected engines. He specifically told me they have an application for street rod carb'd engines. They don't meet the California smog laws for anything newer. THe TT systems you see on newer EFI types are mainly done in speed shops, or guys who know a heck of a lot more about computers.

[jeepinfun]

I can assure you banks no longer supports Carb applications with their TT systems..it is all F/Inj now with their kit.the kits they offer are for SBC and do not meet smog req's but no matter really..let's get back to the titan =)

[SupraTitan]

Your pockets would have to be mighty deep to get a turbo app. to work properly/reliable on a titan, lots of dyno tuning, I mean lots. Its hard enough keeping an engine designed for a turbo to survive with additonal boost, I wouldn't even want to attempt such a feet with the titan and i've been messing with turbo's for 10 years. I did see a turbo'd silverado at NE drag last friday, sounded flat out awesome and ran in the 13's @110 if I remember correctly. All it takes is a hicup of the fuel pump(s) or a batch of poor fuel and its new engine time. Supercharger makes way more sense for 99% of folks, although I would love to see a turbo'd titan, I just ain't going there.

[Vector]

Banks systems still use Throttle Body injection, may as well be a carb. They do nothing with port fuel injection. The entire system is the same system introduced in the earyl 80's. Now using either a carb or throttle body injection. (a carb with a butterfly and an injection hanging above each butterfly) still constitutes a carburated engine in my book. Gale banks has no Tuned POrt Fuel Injection Turbo Set up.

[jeepinfun]

If you do not believe me call over there and speak with Jason Wilcox who handles their turbo applications.THE BANKS system CAN and is often used on TPI setups..You would not use their intake plenum that is designed for a TBI/throttle body setup and you would need to port and polish your intake runners or go aftermarket with a set of edelbrock or similar runners and build your own boost tubes, BUT the system WILL work on a TPI application with the use of the Accel DFI.....I know this because I have SEEN one on a car..

[Thrust_Titan]

Emissions requirements for California! Why? Who lives in California? I'm in Florida

[Vector]

Set up and modify it to work for your application. Why stop there. Just build the whole thing yourself and make a lot more power. Its only money.