I stopped by Banks Power today and was given the grand tour by Peter Treydte. Thanks again go out to Peter, he is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful to the max.

First thing, the facilities are huge. They fill both sides of the street, and I heard they may be expanding even more. As Peter took from the front office into the race shop, you first see a few various HiPo Cummins engines on display, both marine and road. There was a huge Continental air-cooled V-16? engine they are working on for Jay Leno. So I think the Duramax is just a "sidebar" onto their business.

Wrong.

As you progress into the race shop, you see the Sidewinder Cummins-powered Dakota, current world land speed record champ getting freshened up to make another assault on the record. But that is old news, WHERE'S THE DMAX!!

The answer? Everywhere. Roadrace, drag, street, all kinds of applications. And they are doing far more than just putting tuners and mufflers on stock motors. They are going through every single component in the quest for reliable power. The goal is 700HP for reliable endurance racing. Some stuff I saw I'm not at liberty to discuss, as I was there in official capacity as a representive of my company, but I can say that they are into Duramaxes hardcore right now. Everywhere you looked was Duramax related components and projects. Of course there was a Duramax in the dyno room being tested as I walked by.

All in all, very impressive. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Dmax development going on. Millions? Dunno, but I saw at least half a million during my short tour.

The future of the Dmax is looking very bright indeed.

:grd:

swwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

Right on!

I might as well be the *****head here......):h :nopics:

I think a camera in there would have went over like a terd in a punchbowl. :D

My company has non-disclosure with clients or potential clients. :(

Pat, shoulda mentioned you were headed that way!! I live 2-3 blocks from Banks and work an additional 2-3 away!

I pass by them everyday and see that they have buildings on 2-3 residential size blocks. Pretty big place, but never had a full view or visit!

Good to hear things are going the dmax way..

On their web site, they state they have some of the new LLY's, with the improved head design, that their going to, or already have, experimented on for racing. It tells you something that they picked the Dmax over the cummins or Ford PSD to work with. I wonder when they finish modifying the engines, how much of the engine will use stock parts? The aswer to that question will tell you something about how durable the stock parts really are.

It's good to hear that the Duramax may be one of their top priorities. Peter has always been a pleasure to hear from on this forum.

When I was down there a few weeks ago, they had at least 4 engines torn down to bare blocks, 2 up on the dyno. I got that same information directly from the boss, DMAX program is new focus.

Saw all heads ***** has been working on, camshafts, diffinatly working putting some effort into the program.

I seen there sidewinder dmax saturday on the 210fwy by santa anita it was blowing black smoke out the dual exhuast and looked good doing it.It had a 05 hood and grill they put the duramax emblem on the fender by the head light it looks funny but the truck looks good

Oh yeah, well I saw twins today! :eek: :ro)

Thanks McRat for the info.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/cool2.gif