Gas Mileage – Why It’s Never Consistent
Recommended Reading: The Truth About Mileage
Every Friday night, the Banks website has a nice little technically oriented article that’s a must-read for auto enthusiasts. This particular article talks about the wild variances that many people experience when trying to measure their real-world fuel economy…and why these variances occur in the first place. Read more
Coming Down Too Hard On The UAW or Not Hard Enough?
Recommended Reading: The UAW Will Forever Handicap Ford, GM, and Chrysler
Are you a fan or member of the UAW? A general supporter of unions? You may find this article on TundraHQ a little offensive. Of course, this video (featured in the article on TundraHQ) is pretty offensive too:
While there’s some good news to report – most of the autoworkers in this video have been fired – the main point of the article on TundraHeadquarters.com remains: Read more
Audi RS5 with Milltek Active Exhaust
Recommended Reading: Audi RS5 Coupé Video with Milltek exhaust – Video / Movie
I want to know what the heck an “active exhaust” system is, specifically. From the description below, it sounds like only one pipe is open…what gives? If I own an RS5 with a 450hp+ V8, I don’t want to buy an exhaust system that has one of the pipes closed unless I push the “sport” button. Read more
C and D’s Name That Exhaust Note
Recommended Reading: Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 57
This challenge is impossible. If I had to guess, I would say: Read more
SmokinVette.com Giving Away Corvette Corsa Xtreme Exhaust System
Recommended Reading: SmokinVette.com Corvette Forum Giveaway Contest
Own a Corvette or know someone who does?
Think they might enjoy a Corsa Xtreme axle-back exhaust? Then this recommended read is for you. Read more
War Wagon: The 2012 Hennessey VelociRaptor Armored Ford Truck
Recommended Reading: War Wagon: Introducing the 2012 Hennessey VelociRaptor APV
If the idea of rolling around in an armored vehicle gives you a sense of comfort, chances are good you’re either a very important person or someone working in a very dangerous part of the world. Either way, this recommended read is for you.
In 2012, Hennessey Performance will be offering an armored SUV built from the F150 Raptor platform.
It seems that Hennessy Performance – the company famous for offering performance kits that can make 1000+ hp Corvettes (among many others) – is getting into the armored vehicle business. Their first entrant is going to be a Ford F150 Raptor converted to a SUV, with armor, a 575 hp supercharged 6.2L V8, and enhanced suspension tuning. Read more
How Banks Does Engine Balancing
Recommended Reading: Performance Diesel Engine Balancing
Banks is a big-time name in the world of diesel truck performance, mostly because of the things they do to a diesel pickup’s stock turbo system and engine management system.
For example: Adding a Banks “Six Gun” tuner to your stock Ram Cummins adds about 130hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. That’s outrageously awesome when you compare that level of performance enhancement to your typical gas motor tuner that *might* add 50 hp.
While Banks engine computer tuners, air intakes, and exhaust systems get lots of press, this article talks about the importance of running a balanced engine. Some key points:
- As engine components get lighter, balancing becomes more important AND more difficult (an extra gram or two means a lot more percentage wise than it used to)
- Drilling a hole in the crankshaft and then inserting a heavy slug into that hole is a popular crank balancing method, something I never conceived of.
From Banks:
Balancing an engine allows it to run smoother, get better mileage, and last longer. But how is it done? The experts at Banks Balancing Service (BBS) took a moment out of their busy schedule to show us the procedure and answer our questions. Read the full article…
