97 Exhaust brake questions

[Kirwin]

I am looking for information on which exhaust brake to purchase. I just ordered TSTs PK11 uprate kit (after finally paying off my truck) and am trying to decide which exhaust brake to get. I like the Banks Brake idea of increasing the flow area around the brake when it is not being used but it is the most expensive one I have looked at. I was going to put on a 4 inch exhaust but after rereading TDR issue 23 Tech Topics by Joe Donnelly it seems that at the power level I desire to achieve this would be a waste of money. Has anyone tried the Banks brake? Was is noticeably better or were EGTs lower?

 

[SlyBones]

Well I would do the 4" exhaust, if anything because they sound way cool. Then you can do a BD 4" remote mount. Mounts after the down pipe back by the transmission. Does not mount at the turbo.



So if you end up someday with a PDR HX40, B-1 or what ever turbo, you dont have to throw away the brake. Should still work. At least I know it will with the PDR HX40.



And its not interferring with the exhaust flow out of the turbo, or what ever the pitch is. Gotta figure that if moving it where banks did adds 30hp, then installing it way down at the end of the downpipe should easily at 50-60hp.



Oh yeah, cost. Unless they have changed it lately, the banks brake comes with their downpipe. It does not match up to the factory exhaust like the other turbo mounts do. I believe this is part of the cost. So you may end up doing exhaust stuff anyways. Factory that into things.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

In terms of best retarding feel, the BD Brakes are the best. I have driven trucks with the other brakes installed, and their performance is far less than the BD. The Banks Brake is well engineered, but lacks the retarding power of the BD. They may claim it has more retarding HP... But I have driven both Dodges and Fords with the Banks Brake, and they just don't have the holdback power of the BD.



You'll be happy with the BD 4" remote mount. Spendy, but it is the best.

 

[6shotz]

Exhaust Brake

Kirwin,



Had a BD installed about 1 month ago, I have a 4" exhaust and it sounds, and slows me down great



Steve