Whaaat Bank's Crankin' out 700 H.P !

[ToolManTimTaylor]

By Pat Ganahl

People have been asking, "What's this new Big Hoss program at Banks?" We've talked about it some already (see Multiple Questions 5/31/02 or More Big Hoss 6/14/02). As I've said, it's a fifth level of power from Banks—way big power—and it will eventually apply to a range of engines and applications. One of our latest products is a line of Big Hoss power modules (known as program "chips" to most others) for Ford Power Strokes, but more on that later.


The big news here this week, however, is the first testing of our Big Hoss ported cylinder head and intake/exhaust manifolds for the Cummins ISB 24-valve engine that will be used in our Project Sidewinder Dodge Dakota pickup for Bonneville and other racing venues. This is the head and intake manifold we've shown you a couple of times, and which will eventually be available to you as Big Hoss parts on an exchange basis. But this is the first time we've actually tested it on the dyno.


When we baselined this engine (tested it in it's stock—or "before"—form), we got 396 horsepower and 580 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm. And this was an engine that was already hopped-up a bit by the people at Cummins. Now get this. After we put our ported Big Hoss head, our Big Hoss cast aluminum intake manifold, and a hand-fabricated stainless tubing exhaust manifold, along with a larger HX 50 Holset turbo, we got 645 hp and 1040 lb.-ft. of torque at 3200 rpm. That's nearly double the power numbers, at a lower rpm, on the very first try! And that torque number is humongous. Remember what we talked about last week?


That was a week ago. Since then dyno operator John Sinz switched to the Holset HY 55 VGT (variable geometry turbo), which is an "adjustable" turbocharger, and he cranked out 700 hp and 1100 lb.-ft. of torque at 3250 rpm. Those are huge numbers. This is the kind of power that should make the Sidewinder meet its goals at Bonneville, quite nicely.


And there's plenty more where that came from—"Lots more," according to Sinz. He said on the second run the boost went from 43 pounds to 50 pounds, but the exhaust gas temperatures actually went down. The engine was "happier" making more power, according to John.


But both of these runs were made with a stock camshaft. In fact, everything in the engine below the cylinder head is bone stock. Cylinder head porter Victor Bangle said that his flow bench testing shows that a higher-lift cam will make his ports flow significantly better. We already have a couple of bigger cams to test. Plus Victor says he thinks he can get even more flow out of this head with more aggressive porting. How much more power can be coaxed from this engine only time, more modification, and more testing will tell. As of now, we're just getting going.


Yeee Hoss!