Banks Power was at the 2015 SEMA Show talking about all kinds of awesome products for the automotive aftermarket. Two of those products are looking to make a big impact in serious applications: the iDash digital monitor and Bullet Tuner programmer.

Even though the boost pressure never changed, the “engine” demonstrating the iDash did show higher and higher horespower numbers. That was because the air density was changing to allow better performance.

The purpose of the iDash digital monitor, as founder Gale Banks explains, is to correct us all on what we thought we knew about boost pressure and its importance in forced induction. “It’s all about air density,” he said. “Boost is part of the equation, but it’s not the answer. Engines are volume machines – they inhale cubic feet per minute.”

In Banks’ demonstration which you can watch in the above video, we see how a static amount of boost – predetermined at 20 psi – could be maximized in a number of configurations, ranging from non-intercooled to ice water-intercooled. What was remarkable is how the boost pressure stayed the same, yet horsepower jumped all the way from 1,044 to 1,463. This was because the air density changed, and it could all be viewed in realtime with the iDash.

“This product makes the user more intelligent than the guy who made the turbocharger,” said Banks. With its patented design, the iDash is a unique and game-changing device that should make a great addition to any forced induction application.

Speaking of forced induction, nowadays, it’s become the modus operandi of trucks and SUVs to use turbochargers for maximum horsepower and torque. Methods for adding power to these hard-charging pickups include installing bigger turbochargers, adding water-methanol injection, and unlocking more from the ECU with the use of tuners. Enter the Banks Power Bullet Tuner, made expressly for the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 used in 2011-15 F-150s, as well as the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 used in 2014-15 Ram 1500s and Jeep Grand Cherokees.

The Bullet Tuner adjusts boost, injection pressure, and the power curve, while also ensuring safe exhaust gas temperatures and fuel rail pressure.

You might note right away the Bullet is not a hand-held tuner. “It’s meant to be used inline between the engine’s sensors and the ECU,” said Banks. “The Bullet tuner adjusts boost, injection pressure, and the power curve, while also ensuring safe exhaust gas temperatures and fuel rail pressure. In essence, we’re not violating any aspect of the host vehicle.”

Information that users want to find out while using the Bullet tuner is right there, too. “The electronics are in a gauge architecture, like a two-inch gauge,” said Banks. “Our Bullet tuner gives you information right in your face. You can change the power level just with button pushes. It’s the whole instrument plus a tuner.”

Electronics that are making an impact – precisely what the new iDash and Bullet Tuner are doing for the automotive aftermarket. Find out more about these applications by telephone or online using the provided contact information below.