Sidewinder Turbo System, for 1982-1991 Chevy/GMC 2500/3500 6.2L, H/D 4WD
Sidewinder Turbo System for 1982-1991 Chevy/GMC 2500/3500 6.2L, H/D 4WD
Ultimate upgrade for 6.2L workhorses. Out-performs GM's 6.5L factory turbo or any other turbo.
Description
Ultimate upgrade for 6.2L workhorses. Out-performs GM's 6.5L factory turbo or any other turbo.
Pickup/Suburban/Blazer/Jimmy: In 1989, GM selected Banks as the 6.2L factory-turbo option, and remained so until GM released their own 6.5L turbo-diesel. To this day, Banks Sidewinder out-performs GM's 6.5L factory-turbo or any other turbo. Banks ultimate upgrade for 6.2L workhorses provides best gains of +60 hp and +115 lb-ft torque , plus 19% better fuel economy. That's no smoke!
Sidewinder Turbo System for use with 1982-1991 6.2L Truck/Suburban, Heavy Duty (H/D), Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
- The Power To Stop Traffic
- Engineered Performance
- Gain up to +60 hp, +115 lb-ft (rear wheel) and +19% MPG
- Ultimate 6.2L workhorse upgrade
- Out-performs GM 6.5L factory turbo and others
Diesel: 6.2L Non-turbo Trucks, 1982-1993.
Horsepower and torque measured at rear wheels. Light-duty vehicles: GVW 8500 lbs. and below; with EGR. Heavy-duty vehicles: GVW 8600 lbs. and above; no EGR.
Sidewinder® Turbo system | Stock | Banks | Improvement | Results |
Towing acceleration, 0-60 mph time | 42.73 s | 26.63 s | -16.1 s | 38% quicker |
Towing acceleration, 0-60 mph distance | 2,500 ft | 1,448 ft | -1,052 ft | 42% less distance |
Towing acceleration, 40-60 mph time | 25.10 s | 15.81 s | -9.29 s | 37% quicker |
Fuel economy | 11.8 mpg | 14.0 mpg | +2.2 mpg | 19% better fuel economy |
Best Gains |
+60 horsepower |
+115 lb-ft torque |
10% better fuel economy |

Back in the 80's Banks Power turbocharger systems were offered as an OE upgrade straight from the dealership!
REVIEWS
6.2L Sidewinder system
2011-03-09
A Surplus 6.2L Blazer Gets a Banks Sidewinder Turbo Kit in Diesel World
When someone says ‘turbo’, the name Banks is usually not far behind. When you’re the first to do something, people remember your name. Gale Banks was a true pioneer in the diesel performance aftermarket we all enjoy today. Much of his personal and business success can be traced back to being the first to truly address the lack of power in the 6.2L.
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Believe it or not, Banks still offers their Chevy Sidewinder kit for the 6.2L and told us it would be almost a drop in for the military K5. So I ordered up the needed Banks Turbo kit, Read through the instructions (several times), and called the Bank’s tech line with some questions. I also double checked the parts list & tools list, gathered up what was needed, along with some confidence, and proceeded to get started.
The kit comes complete, and we mean complete with everything to turn the non-turbo 6.2L into a turbocharged diesel. The kit includes a new exhaust manifold and exhaust system, a new air intake and high-flow air filter, and all the necessary hardware to make the conversion a bolt-on deal. The installation was a straight forward process although there are always issues when working on an older ride (factory bolts break during disassembly, taps are needed in the most hard to reach areas, radiator drain breaks, missed supper again, etc.). However, the end results was a much more powered vehicle with the added modern technology of turbo charging.
If you’re in the market for an entry level diesel truck, and don’t have a lot of money to spend, consider one of these military beauties. Plus, the Banks Sidewinder kit adds a lot of power and driveability to make the experience that much more fun.
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Diesel World did a complete install with this Sidewinder system. See how it was done
Read the full article here
Sidewinder Turbo Systems
2012-05-10
"The difference in performance created by the new Banks system was like night and day. Acceleration without the trailer went from leisurely to quick. Turbo lag was barely noticeable; when the driver stabbed the throttle, the engine dug in immediately. No longer did we live in fear of uphill freeway onramps, since the truck could quickly merge with traffic. The improvement in trailer towing was also dramatic."
Trailer Life magazine
"The new Banks Sidewinder system makes the truck go like gangbusters. Turbo lag is almost non-existent."
Off-Road magazine
"The turbo increases performance without suffering any mileage penalty for its newfound power."
Four Wheeler magazine
"The Banks turbo unit provides almost instant throttle response, with no lag, so your diesel feels more like a big-block gas engine than an oil burner. What did the increased airflow do to engine operation? By taking temperature readings while climbing a 4% grade, we found that the turbo motor wasn't working as hard as the naturally aspirated diesel. We recorded a decrease in exhaust temperatures of 13%, a decrease in engine oil temperature of 7%, and a reduction of transmission fluid temperature of 12%. It almost sounds too good to be true: increased engine performance with a corresponding increase in efficiency and a decrease in engine wear."
Sport Truck magazine

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Shipping Information
- Item Requires Shipping
- 231.0 lbs.
- W13.6000” x H15.2000” x L30.4000”