Best e-brake for manual trans?

[ISBPilot]

A buddy of mine has a 01, stock, 3500, 6-speed, he uses to pull his horse trailer, and flatbed hauling farm equipment. Which engine brake does everyone like for this type set-up. Any thoughts on different brands, price, install difficulty, etc. Thanks for any advice.



Todd

 

[SlyBones]

BD is supposed to have the best midrange retarding power, and the PacBrake and Cummins brakes have better top end retarding power.



Decide what RPM range you will do most your braking at, and choose accordingly.

 

[klenger]

The Dodge/Jacobs is easy to install and works fine. Price is right too. I like the ECM interface.

 

[BCFAST]

I had a US Gear unit... operated flawlessly, and no changing exhaust springs!

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by BCFAST

I had a US Gear unit... operated flawlessly, and no changing exhaust springs!

I believe the 24V has the 60lb springs already.



Todd, with 4. 10's and a 5 speed, my BD has me satisfied with similar applications. Plenty of holdback and to me without much regard to rpm's. Via video, I am not throwing my horses all over either.



Mine's a 12V, can't help with the electronic end but I can suggest having a torch or MAPP gas handy to loosen the downpipe bolts and the turbo clamp if they are frozen.

 

[Wiredawg]

I like BD

Gents:



I like my BD. It has been trouble-free, installation was easy and it really helps slow me down when towing my 15K lb 5th wheel.



Besides reading the TDR, I recommend you visit each one of the exhaust brake sites and read what they consider their strong points.



I have to admit, I was impressed by the comparison BD made between their product and others. I didn't want one connecting to my ECM, because I didn't want the delay the ECM has. Mine kicks in as soon as I take my foot of accelerator.



Some of my friends have Pac Brakes and seem to like them.



Wiredawg

 

[Ted Constantine]

BD

I have been nothing but happy with my BD brake. I did not like the idea of a ecm link with a manual transmission because of the delay. I went with the "two speed" switch on the stick so I can control it easily when I want to. It has great retarding power and I chose it because of the mid rpm retarding power. That seems to be the strong point of the BD and the weak point of the others. I do not like to down shift to the upper end of the rpm range so the mid range retarding HP was important to me.



Pac Brakes are cheaper, Jacobs flow the least, US Gear has a history of solenoid falure, BD are pretty expensive. Any of them will do the job.



Ted

 

[Utah Willie]

I don't know about the other units, but the Mopar on my '99 3500 with a U. S. Gear aux. transmission coupled to the 5 speed with 3:55s gives me a great combination of gears for towing a 14k Alfa... ... . up and down the Rockiesand Sierras..... every diesel should be equipped with an E-brake!!!

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Banks has a new brake out too... I'll be installing one of a 2001 later this week. We'll see how it works. It's pretty pricey though...

 

[rubberneck]

bd 4"

i installed a bd 4" remote mount on my truck about a month ago, i absolutely love it. stops really well in the mid rpm range. I went with the 4" remote mount as i have possible plans for and hx40, if you put on the 40, you can not use a direct mount. (just something to keep in mind if you are a bombaholic like me). and by the way, i did want the ecm interface to prevent someone from engaging the cruise controll and the ebrake at the same time. (on our trucks the throttle pedal does not move when cruise is on, so the ebrake mounted throttle switch would not prevent this from happening. ) thanks to klenger for the wiring diagram and part number for the pig tail, it works wonderfully, and the delay is not that big of a deal. these things arent for panic stops anyway, and i find i just leave the brake on a lot of the time, with the delay, i can shift without the brake cycling on and off. just my . 02

 

[Bigsaint]

BD

I'll second rubberneck, I've had the BD 4" brake on since late January, works great, use it every day.



Scott W.

 

[HC]

I've got the BD, and like it. A LOT.

 

[trbotrk]

I recently installed a BD brake on my truck. The braking is what I would call subtle when I hit the switch at 1500-2000rpm. This ebrake helps but I expected a little more holdback. Are there any adjustments on these units. Am I expecting too much.

 

[ISBPilot]

Thanks.........

I appreciate all the comments. I'll pass along the info and see what he thinks.



Evan..... give us an update on the new Brake when you get a chance.



Todd

 

[HC]

Originally posted by trbotrk

I recently installed a BD brake on my truck. The braking is what I would call subtle when I hit the switch at 1500-2000rpm. This ebrake helps but I expected a little more holdback. Are there any adjustments on these units. Am I expecting too much.

Excellent questions, and you raise some good discussion points for those still "on the fence" about getting an exhaust brake. When I first got my e-brake, based on how strongly everyone recommends them, I was expecting to be rear-ended in traffic the first time I used it. Like you, I found the results much more "subtle" - it's not going to stop you the same way jamming on the brakes would. I think if everyone knows this in advance, then they will go into the purchase with open eyes and end up happy, not disappointed.



My happiness gradually increased. Test #1, I found a really steep hill, on which my truck would have been a "runaway" even in third gear. With the brake off, rpm increased quickly up to redline, at which point I hit the brakes. With the e-brake on, same hill, same gear, speed increased to about 2500 rpm, by which time the rear wheels were screeching at the bumps and trying to pull the rear axle out from under the truck. But the speed didn't increase any more!



Test #2, the next time I took a drive in the hills we call "mountains" around here. Drove about 20 miles of up and down, and NEVER ONCE needed the service brakes. That means for me, the e-brake is going to pay for itself before I retire this truck, and I'm not even towing heavy trailers.



Reason #3 , use of the exhaust brake to maintain engine temps at idle. High idlers help, but exhaust brakes are even better, as discussed on some other threads not too long ago. This is going to be a big plus this winter. For this use, folks need to consider two issues: 1) you're going to use a lot more fuel idling with this "load" on the engine, so don't expect good mpg when you've been idling a lot, and 2) the back pressure definately creates some extra noise - don't plan on sitting in camp or under your neighbor's window idling the engine at 4 AM. I've noticed a very small amount of leakage around one of the wastegate levers with the extra backpressure, but unless it increases I'm going to consider it "normal". The only impact is that I am a bit more likely to smell some exhaust fumes in the cab if sitting in one spot with no wind and the e-brake on.



In short, the longer I've had mine, the more it has grown on me, and I've joined the crowd that thinks this should be more readily available as a factory option. IMO, the on-the-shifter switch is a "must have" option with the e-brake.



Re your last question, is the BD e-brake adjustable; I think the answer is Yes based on the installation manual, since there is discussion about setting the backpressure. But I recommend calling BD to find out how and if you should...

 

[QRTRHRS]

BD adjustments.

Per BD's manual, using a standard pressure guage, adjust (with engine off) with the rod on the vacuum cylinder. Pressure at idle for 24V and 12V with 60lb springs should be 20-25 lbs. 12V with stock springs should be 10-15lbs.



I have a guage on the dash. I see maybe 50 lbs max.

 

[Ted Constantine]

Hey QRTRHRS,



I have been thinking of setting up a pressure gauge perminantly as well as a post turbo EGT in the ports on my BD. Can you elaborate on your pressure set up?



Thanks

Ted

 

[QRTRHRS]

Ted,



I have a plain jane black face ISSPRO that I got from Diesel Injection Service. Part #1030550, about 50 bucks or so. Not much to it. The kit has a short stainless pipe to get away from the heat then goes to poly. There was a little brass baffle in the fitting where it goes stainless to poly. I guess it was to limit the needle bouncing around. After it plugged with soot, I removed it. Had good intentions but have not replaced the baffle. Line has not plugged yet. I look at it twice a day for a sanity check on this hill I go over coming and going from work. I think it's worth the money.



Illflem suggested once to set up the boost guage to read brake pressure. Might want to check and see if he remembers that.



I am also reading pre/post EGT's by the way. I have my A piller set up with the pre on top, boost in the middle then post on the bottom. Never have enough guages.

 

[pwknapp]

QRTRHRS

What are the (post and pre) temp differentials when idling around or at high hp.

 

[Bigsaint]

GOOD POST

HC... Just wanted to say that was an awesome post, very well done !!!



Scott W.