Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Best exhaust brake?

[Nickaru]

I'm looking for an exhaust brake for my 2001 3500 ETH/DEE. I had a Cummins/Jacobs on another 2001. It worked good, but I noticed a power loss, felt restrictive. I'm leaning towards a BD turbo mount. Seems to be the best built. Any comments would greatly be appreciated.

 

[MPalachuk]

We have been impressed by the Pac Brakes.

 

[Sticks]

Remote mount brake. Pac brake and US Gear make them. less restrictive, and if you want to change to a bigger turbo, you don't have to be tied down because your brake won't fit there anymore. Less stress on the turbo and exhaust manifold with out the extra 15# hanging there. Easier to service.

 

[Ram4Sam]

BD brake

Nick, I put a BD on my truck and it has worked flawlessly for almost 40,000 miles. I installed guages on my truck before the brake was installed and there was no change in EGT after the brake install. I also did not notice any change in performance after I installed the brake. Both empty and towing my 9500 lb 5er up Cajon pass, no changes in EGT and performance. The unit looks very stout and doesn't hook to the ecm so it is very easy to install. It comes with a go pedal micro switch setup for control. I left the switch assy out and wired it direct to a two speed axle switch on the shifter, real simple and no hassles with keeping the micro switch adjusted. If you are ever down this way, give me a yell and we can go for a ride in my truck.



Sam

 

[guava]

I've had the US Gear exhaust brake highly recommended for two reasons.

The first is that its placed farther down the exhaust pipe away from the turbo outlet. This is supposed to prevent 'some' power loss caused by air flow disruption... .

The second was there is no orifice. US Gear uses a by-pass valve that opens at a preset pressure. Without the orifice, you get better braking at lower RPMs where most of us drive anyways.

--just opinions and not necessarily mine. I haven't made up my mind.

 

[rweis]

I like my USG 4".



I did the air cylinder option so not a lot of wiring down under. Use the air for other things as well.



About 1yr installed, zero problems.



Bob Weis

 

[David Oxland]

My BD worked flawlessly up to when I traded it @ 60,000 mi. Going to get another installed shortly. It was a turbo mount.

 

[sfritts]

I have a BD and it gets used every day it works fine. Got almost 90,000 on it and I tow a 5th wheel around the country and boats and antique farm tractors when I'm home.

 

[WI Huck]

Wow! I can’t believe that no one here is talking about the Banks brake. Banks took a new approach to the system and designed a housing that bolts to the turbo and actually improves the flow out of the turbo. Also by having the brake at the turbo there are less connections where the high pressure exhaust can leak out. Not to mention the computerized brake controller that senses throttle position without the noisy and problematic throttle switch. The Banks system will also automatically exercise the valve every start up to reduce the chance of soot build up and sticking, plus your truck warms up faster.



I understand the bias against Banks when it comes to their power boxes, but the Banks brake is top notch.



Mark

 

[darkhorse]

Mark, There is another thread near here about exhaust brakes. "Greenfeld" posted on it that he has been using a Banks Brake for 20,000 miles, with an automatic. He says it out ferforms the BD on the ambulance at his fire station.

 

[PRout]

I love my BD Turbo mount unit, and it has worked well for about 85k miles. Use it on almost every stop, loaded or not.



If I was going to start over, would get a quality 4" exhaust, and mount the brake inline, under the truck for reasons mentioned above.

 

[jelag]

There are a few points about exhaust brakes that you might consider when you start the..... I'm looking process.....



1 - does the manufacture have mechanical engineers on staff to design... . flow test... . dyno test... . their products.....



2 - does the manufacture have the ability to manufacture the complete brake in house... . and control the quality from start to finish...



3 - does the exhaust brake manufacture also manufacture engine brakes and offer products around the world... . This key factor tells you they have access to technical information from the engine manufacture... ...



4 - back pressure is the key to the function of the exhaust brake... so any given exhaust brake that will provide the hightest exhaust back pressure acceptable to Cummins will give the best performance... . and any 2 brakes. . on the same engine... at the same back pressure will provide the same braking HP..... this is a function of physic's.....



There is a lot of hype out and around about exhaust brakes but the 4 points above are what I personally tell most people who are looking for exhaust brakes... and the operation for most of them... are controlled by the ECM... .



Hope this has been some help... .



Jim

 

[JFinke]

I got 247,000 miles without trouble from my Pac Brake. It now needs a vaccum can. Pretty good I think.

 

[WRowley]

DODGE SUPPLIED EXHAUST BRAKE

I would like to know if the exhaust brake that the dodge dealer offers is the way to go. I have been offered an exhaust brake from my local dealer for $900 installed. Has anyone had any experience with this type of brake? I am pulling a 27' fifth wheel and feel that an exhaust brake would be worth the investment any comments be appreciated

 

[Sticks]

Re: DODGE SUPPLIED EXHAUST BRAKE

Originally posted by WRowley

I would like to know if the exhaust brake that the dodge dealer offers is the way to go. I have been offered an exhaust brake from my local dealer for $900 installed. Has anyone had any experience with this type of brake? I am pulling a 27' fifth wheel and feel that an exhaust brake would be worth the investment any comments be appreciated

You would be less likely to have any warranties voided with the stea... dealer installed Jacobs E-brake. I would try to talk the price down a bit to the $800 range, but that is a good price installed.

 

[y-knot]

I wont say it;s the best, but I sure like the way my PacBrake works.

 

[Boondocker]

which switch

I honestly doubt that you could tell whose brake you were using in a "blind" test. All of the above mentioned manufacturers do the job. One potential problem with remote-mount brakes is their greater exposure to contamination from road salt. Living in the southwest, that's not an issue for me.



I would ask not only how well it works but how easy is it operate? Again, no manufacturer has the market cornered on switch design. But I'll tell you this, I absolutely love my (manual) shifter mounted pull/push switch. It is the coolest operating feature on my truck! The thought of poking my finger towards the dash for a cheap rocker switch is grievious. So, whose ever brand of brake you buy, think very seriously about the switch.



I'm sure I paid too much for my Cummins brand switch, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat because it increases the usability of the brake. On the other hand, I got a great price from Mechanicsville Dodge on my Jacobs brake that I enjoyed installing myself, so all together it was a good deal

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by WI Huck

Wow! I can’t believe that no one here is talking about the Banks brake. Banks took a new approach to the system and designed a housing that bolts to the turbo and actually improves the flow out of the turbo. Also by having the brake at the turbo there are less connections where the high pressure exhaust can leak out. Not to mention the computerized brake controller that senses throttle position without the noisy and problematic throttle switch. The Banks system will also automatically exercise the valve every start up to reduce the chance of soot build up and sticking, plus your truck warms up faster.



I understand the bias against Banks when it comes to their power boxes, but the Banks brake is top notch.



Mark

I was about to post almost the exact same thing. While I personally have no special spot for Banks in my heart, their brake is about the best money can buy-- and you WILL pay some good money for it. It's a VERY well-engineered piece, and is very stout.



Justin

 

[jrandol]

I really like my Aux Mount Packbrake that was originally designed for a big cummins, like a 10 liter I think. Lets just say it holds like a mother!!

 

[24VChev]

Re: which switch

QUOTE:



I would ask not only how well it works but how easy is it operate? Again, no manufacturer has the market cornered on switch design. But I'll tell you this, I absolutely love my (manual) shifter mounted pull/push switch. It is the coolest operating feature on my truck! The thought of poking my finger towards the dash for a cheap rocker switch is grievious. So, whose ever brand of brake you buy, think very seriously about the switch.











I have recently installed a BD air operated engine brake on a 03 and they are using a new way to switch the brake on and off.



They have a little box (DFIV) for short that senses the voltage from the APPS. No more micro switch. When the voltage reaches a certain point the brake ether applies or releases. The DVIF has a small adjustment on it so you can easily adjust point at which the brake actuates.



There is no delay with this system when your foot comes off the accelerator the brake is on instantly. You can also hook up a shifter switch to the DFIV also for manual control.



I think BD is using this on all their engine brakes now. The DFIV can be retro fitted to any BD brake.



Just some more info to think about.



Malcolm