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 CoupĂ© 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.
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…