For decades, a cold air intake has been the first and easiest upgrade for any truck owner looking for a bit more power and sound.

But according to the engineers at Banks Power, when it comes to 2020 to 2025 Duramax trucks, that’s no longer the case. Due to highly sensitive factory electronics, most aftermarket intakes are little more than expensive cosmetic pieces. Banks Power has just released a new system that it claims is the only way to get real performance gains.

The Banks Air Mass Control Module Solution

The issue with modern Duramax trucks is that the factory computer is extremely sensitive to changes in airflow. As Erik Reider, Special Projects Lead for Banks Power, explained, “The allowable windows of operation have narrowed so tightly that any deviation from stock results in an amber light on your dash.”

To solve this, Banks Power developed a two-part system: a much larger, higher-flowing Ram-Air intake and a patented electronic module. The module is the key that makes it all work.

“The module itself is programmed to know the difference between the stock airbox and the ram-air system,” Reider said. It intelligently adjusts the sensor data to keep the truck’s computer happy while the engine enjoys the benefits of the increased airflow.

More Than Just Power

On the dyno, the Banks system showed an increase in low-end horsepower and torque, but it also revealed a more surprising benefit. “We are actually yielding a slower turbo speed,” Reider noted. “And what does that mean? It means that your turbo is working less.”

Because the intake is so efficient, the turbo doesn’t have to work as hard to make a boost. This reduces backpressure, improves fuel economy, and can significantly increase the lifespan of the turbocharger.

The Air Mass Control Module Brains Behind the Brawn

While the big filter and large intake tube provide the brawn, the real innovation is the electronics. The Banks Air Mass Control Module is the brain that allows the high-flow hardware to function without upsetting the factory computer.

Without it, even the best-looking intake is just for show. Reider’s final point was direct: “Without this, your fancy-looking airbox will end up performing the exact same as stock.”

It’s a clear sign that in the new era of smart trucks, the smartest performance comes from combining better hardware with even smarter electronics, and the Air Mass Control Module is what makes that possible.