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'Killing a Duramax' Gale Banks YouTube series methodically tunes a diesel to death

Learning or perfecting a skill by watching YouTube videos is known as attending YouTube University. GM Authority picked up on one of the video site's more fascinating courses, hosted by Gale Banks; in a fair world, he should be referred to as Professor Banks when it comes to diesel engines and truck tuning. A few months after GM introduced the updated L5P 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD that ships with 454 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, Banks decided he wanted to methodically tune the engine to death. The purpose of the resulting series, called "Killing a Duramax," is to push more power out of the engine in order to discover which parts break and when — or, as Banks puts it, force-feed the Duramax "until the crank hits the street and the heads hit the hood." With that knowledge, Banks can figure out all the weak points on his way to building what he calls a "Superturbo," that being a supercharged, twin-turbo race engine with more than 1,000 hp. What makes the series fascinating is Banks' knowledge, paired with the company's comprehensive iDash engine monitoring system that keeps tabs on a glut of parameters every step of the way. So for instance, you get Banks explaining the differences between inches of mercury and barometric pressure, how those are different from the water content of the air measured in grains, then showing those readouts on the iDash, then explaining in detail how they affect the air density in the Duramax system. The stock Borg-Warner variable turbo gets a lot of airtime — Banks accuses it of being "out to lunch" because he feels it's the weakest link on the engine. That turns into a turbo teardown and a deep explanation of performance pitfalls, such as when air pressure on the turbine begins to diverge from the boost pressure coming from the compressor. Banks says he can keep close tabs on where power's coming from, because the iDash monitors the horsepower contribution provided by the ambient air, the turbo, and the intercooler separately. The major changes so far are a stouter Precision 7675 turbo and TurboSmart wastegate (episode 5), a twin intake (episode 6), a custom liquid-cooled intercooler from a marine engine, a new GM oil cooler and synthetic oil (episode 10), and new injectors (episode 11).

2015 GMC Yukon erupts into flames during Anaheim test drive [w/video]

A 2015 GMC Yukon burst into flames while on a test drive in Anaheim, CA on Sunday after smoke filled the cabin. Residents of the neighborhood where the driver abandoned the redesigned Yukon reported hearing a series of small explosions (likely the tires, based on the video), according to a report from KTLA and The Los Angeles Times.
No one was injured in the incident, which The Times reports occurred after a possible oil or fluid leak. As you can see in the image above, the Yukon was engulfed in flames, although the Anaheim Fire Department was able to put out the blaze in about 15 minutes.
"We're very lucky that no one got hurt, and it was in an area that... was safe," Lt. Tim Schmidt of the Anaheim Police Department told KTLA reporters. "If there was any place that was going to be safe, it would be this area. It's very open. It worked out for us."

2022 GMC Terrain from $600 to $900 less expensive

The 2022 GMC Terrain is another one of those vehicles that, despite current economic trends, costs less than the 2021 model year — and GMC hasn't cut equipment as a way to justify the cuts. That doesn't mean there aren't any changes, though. The base SL trim level is gone, the SLE taking over at the entry-level point. Opting for AWD on the SLE and SLT trims adds $1,600 to the price, no change from 2021. Slotting into the lineup to maintain a four-trim range is the AT4 model that tilts at off-road use. The top shelf Terrain Denali no longer comes with front-wheel drive, either, AWD the only choice now. That makes the only Denali $700 more expensive than shoppers could pick up a 2021 Terrain Denali for; however, the AWD model is less expensive. Prices for the 2022 Terrain and the differences from 2021, after the $1,195 destination charge, are: SLE FWD: $30,290 ($600 less)  SLT FWD: $34,290 ($700 less) AT4 AWD: $36,390 (New model) DENALI AWD: $39,190 ($900 less) As part of the refresh for 2022, all Terrains get larger grilles, all-LED exterior lighting with larger headlights and new C-shaped taillights. Both the AT4 and Denali get unique grille designs, the former fitting a gunmetal grey design with thick slats, the latter an all-chrome matter with more delicate lattice-work between the slats. The AT4 also boasts a front skid plate for protection, plus chunkier tires. The Elevation trim returns, too, as a black-out appearance package for the more entry-level SLE and SLT trims. The interior is mostly unchanged except for a revised shifter panel — the buttons are new, but the same controversial design remains. There are new features available, though. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still standard, but now they're wireless. A head-up display is available as an option for SLT and AT4, while it comes standard on the Denali. The Denali also gets an 8-inch screen in the instrument panel. Only the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic have been announced for the Terrain, making the same 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque as before. We're expecting a higher-horsepower, larger-displacement engine to be offered in the near future. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.