Gale Banks: Diesel and DIY
In today's edition of Boing Boing tv, we continue our ongoing series of conversations with automotive engineering guru and multiple land speed record-holder Gale Banks, known to many as the godfather of speed. Today -- Banks shares insight on diesel and the DIY revolution.
Banks is an advisor to the Automotive X Prize, and the guy Jay Leno calls when he wants to double the muscle of an 810-horsepower racecar.(special thanks, Ruth and Coop)
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This makes me wonder what ever happened to the popularity (fad?) of kit cars. There seems to be a critical gap between "ricer" modification culture (more emphasis on looks and specs than comprehensive engineering, both for cars and computers) and people who really pursue DIY for a genuine advantage (rather than just to "be cool").
Kit Cars got expensive, unfortunately. Also, factory cars became too complicated for most basic DIY folks to convert with kits (case in point, the popular Pontiac Fiero -> Ferrari 328 conversion http://home.nycap.rr.com/wwilliams/Ferrari.html )
But there is a LOT of home-grown engineering going on in automobiles that is in a far, far different league from the dudes and dudettes who go to AutoZone and load up with every stick-on light, chrome shift knob, and cheap stereo component that you can buy.
Engine management tuning is HUGE and while there are people who know what they're doing and those who are just poking buttons, it takes a great deal of knowledge and creativity to build a car that will be wild on a drag strip or road course, and manageable around town. If you're really in to "comprehensive engineering", check out the build-it-yourself (modify it too) Megasquirt fuel injection system:
http://www.megasquirt.info/
More videos with car guys!
"Those are the good carbs!" Xeni's reports are always delightful and informative.
Diesel engines also last about 3 times as long as gasoline models.
On a boat NOTHING is better than diesel.
No dangerous fumes, fluids or failures.
OOOOPS - hmmm - dya think that extra energy could be coming from the NITRO??? Yes, I know, it only adds oxygen so you can BURN MORE FOSSIL FUEL.
Calling all cars: why do you think they call it FOSSIL fuel?????
not sure all the facts are relayed in a clear manner here. I doubt they are getting 24mpg (Still Unacceptable) with the same engine/fuel configuration they use while racing.
Oh - yeah - almost forgot: pickups for racing?
Wiki "aerodynamics" for once in your life.
This guy is obviously selling something.
That milage is actually pretty piss poor.
Hmmm... thank you Xeni.
Gd tht ws dll. cldn't vn kp wtchng wth th hnts f vsbl clvg.
That mileage isn't piss poor at all. Typical fuel economy for consumer diesel truck engines is around 12-15mpg depending on load and use. 24mpg is pretty damn good, especially considering the necessary fuel system adjustments for that huge turbo hanging off the side.
Banks is a very well known and established Diesel truck tuner. Their entire business is built around tweaking fuel maps and engine configurations for more power and efficiency. It's no surprise that his vehicles are doing so well. I just wish he'd branch off into small diesel commuter car engines.
"The Specialist: Oh - yeah - almost forgot: pickups for racing?
Wiki "aerodynamics" for once in your life."
Wiki "Truck racing", "Formula Truck" or "NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series". It's not as absurd or unusual as you might think.
And God forbid that a BoingBoing audience finds anything fun in the absurd...
Performance Diesels are nothing new. Heck, Audi raced a a V12 Diesel at LeMans in 2005. It won in 2005 and 2006. I think it also did well at Sebring. Mind you, this was a full-bore race car, not a truck. The point is that Diesel technology is not just for big trucks, buses and ships. Although Gale Banks is a very smart guy, he does not have the exclusive on this technology.