2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Engine brake and the "Quiet Kit" from ATP,Inc.

[Jake The Snake]

I have a 2002 Ram QC w/auto trans and a 6' bed and I am getting ready to put a Lance camper (3000 lbs. ) on it and want to add an engine brake and a "Quiet Kit" to make my wife willing to take long trips with me. Does anyone have any comments on the best brake, it's cost and the complexity of installation and does anyone have any personal experience with the "Quiet Kit". The manufacturer, Advanced Thermal Products, Inc. , says that the kit will lower the noise level 30 dB from 95 to 65. That seems like a lot so I would like to hear from you knowledgeable guys on either or both of these issues. I've seen Banks, pacbrake and others on the web but it doesn't give you any experience or way to compare products.

Thanks in advance for your comments and assistance!!!

 

[DNewell]

Just getting ready to do a PacBrake myself, should potentially have it tomorrow, provided the shop receives it... I can post when I get it installed over the weekend. I've never heard of the "Quiet Kit". I would be highly dubious of this as the sound from the exhaust brake would only be quited by the muffler. Not too sure what it would even consist of. Do you have an internet link to check it out at?

 

[WestTN]

30db is a TON of quieting. I would want to ride in something that has had this applied. That would make your diesel far quieter than a Rolls Royce.

 

[Regcabguy]

Exhaust brake=minimal pucker factor.

I have a 2002 Ram QC w/auto trans and a 6' bed and I am getting ready to put a Lance camper (3000 lbs. ) on it and want to add an engine brake and a "Quiet Kit" to make my wife willing to take long trips with me. Does anyone have any comments on the best brake, it's cost and the complexity of installation and does anyone have any personal experience with the "Quiet Kit". The manufacturer, Advanced Thermal Products, Inc. , says that the kit will lower the noise level 30 dB from 95 to 65. That seems like a lot so I would like to hear from you knowledgeable guys on either or both of these issues. I've seen Banks, pacbrake and others on the web but it doesn't give you any experience or way to compare products.

Thanks in advance for your comments and assistance!!!

You need to give us your signature. You'll need some transmission upgrades if auto and a smart controller. You're way overloaded with that Lance,but at least you'll be able to stop it with exhaust brake. Major suspension enhancements will be necessary too.

 

[Jake The Snake]

DNEWELL I will be interested in your PAC brake install and how it goes. The "quiet kit" is a engine jacket kit from ATP, Inc. with various components and is not part of the engine brake itself. ATP, Inc. advertises in the TDR web site and their site address is www.atpwrap.com. Apparently these guys build wrap products for all type of diesel engines and it is my guess that they have a lot of experience with large generator drive engines from Cummins, Detroit, etc. Take a look at the site directly or access them from the TDR web tab "Site Sponsors". RSVP when you get the brake installed. Thanks

 

[Jake The Snake]

WestTN, I was quite taken aback with the claims of 30 dB as well so that is why I am asking any of you guys about your experience. One of the other things I am concerned about is the effect the insulation jackets may have on operating temps, will they go up and what will the effect be on long uphill pulls with a heavy load. If you know of anybody that has had personal experience please let me know. Thanks

 

[Jake The Snake]

BajaBob, Give me an idea of the trans upgrades you would suggest with the situation I have described to you. My name is Jack Freeman, aka Jake the Snake, and I am from upstate Minnesota. Email address is -- email address removed --. Since you commented that I was going to be way overloaded you must know what my GVWR is and I am interested to know what it is so please let me know. I have a 2002 Ram Quad Cab w/auto trans short box. RSVP.

 

[Regcabguy]

P.m.

I'll p. m. you Jake.

 

[NoSeeUm]

You need to give us your signature. You'll need some transmission upgrades if auto and a smart controller. You're way overloaded with that Lance,but at least you'll be able to stop it with exhaust brake. Major suspension enhancements will be necessary too.

I would not say major suspension upgrades, but you will be overloaded. If you don't have sway bars, good idea to add them. In my case, my truck was a HD model so it had them as well as the overload springs. So all I added to the suspension was some Rancho 9000's on all four corners and some Fire Stone Air Bags in the back. My truck handles my camper very well. The Rancho's are really good at controlling sway and I rarely think about it.



A big concern for hauling is your tires. Make sure that your tires are at least E-rated, in good shape and can carry over 3200 pounds each at maximum inflation. The 365/75's will ussually do in the neighborhood of 3400 pounds and some 385/75's will do around 3600 pounds.



And yes the exhaust brake helps out allot especially if you also tow a trailer that does not have its own brakes. On the steepest down grades I rarely (if ever) had to touch the wheel brakes. Most normal down grades I had to release the brake because I was starting to go too slow. The brake becomes so useful that just about the only time the wheel brakes get used is to stop.



FWIW RV.net is full of really good advice. Don't let the weight Nazi's get to you though.



Jim

 

[socalmat]

Hey



I have the full ATP Wrap on my truck. It did help a little, but not 30 db. Even with the whole cab and doors double dynamatted it is not 30 db. The best part about the TSP system is that it keeps all the heat out of the engine compartment. All of my wiring is like new. I have owned a few turbos before and you really need to protect the wiring. Install the exhaust brake first, then order or have TSP install the wrap. I went to the company and they put it on for me. The blanket that covers the exhaust is tight against the firewall. I am just istalling a Pacbrake and am having to remove and modify the TSP wrapped around the exhaust.



On your suspension. I just spent $1400 on new 3500 lb overloads so my truck will haul my camper more safely. You could probably get away with half that amount though.



The airbags a worthless and if i didn't have the whole system with compressor and tank, I would probably not have put them back in. As it was, I got smaller ones after the overload install. These are cool for leveling out at a campsite. I do not use them at all on the road. They have internal pump stops for longivity.



Next week I will have 19. 5 inch wheels and tires. This is suppose to be the greatest improvement in safety and handling. I weighed my trucks axels and the rear tires were 300 pounds overloaded each with the camper on. Even at 80 psi on 17 inch rims the camper did not hamdle like I would like it to.



My 17 inch Weld rims are for sale on Craigslist here in San Diego.



Feel free to pm me.



Socalmat

Escondido, Ca.

 

[RAndrae]

overloaded???

I have a 02 quad long bed 3/4 ton... hauled my 10'9" lance (weighs ALOT more than 3000) and my 24' boat MANY MANY times, no air bags or suspention mods, Never had a problem, yeah overloaded according to the GVWR but the truck doesnt go down more a couple of inches and handles fine. The pac brake is super easy to install done many of em. I would spend the $$ on a transmission first though... .

 

[Jake The Snake]

Randrae,



Please tell me what the Goerand trans is and what did you spend to get it. Do you know what your curb weight is on your 2002. I have a Quadcab w/factory auto trans(47RE) 4X4 and a 6' box and I ordered the camper option and a snow plow option on my rig from the factory to get the best Dodge had to offer in order to carry a camper and I am hoping that will give me a good base to which I intend to add Firestone airbags and Rancho 9000x shocks to to improve it even further. What is your opinion on sticking with 265/75/16 "E" rated Michelin tires that came with the truck or did you do something else with your tires to help the handling.



I also have the Hyperchip programmer which adds between 40 and 70 HP and 70 and 140 lb ft of torque depending on the setting. I know you selected the Edge Comp which makes more HP and Torque but I think I'll be happy with the Hyperchip programmer but if you have any input I will be glad to hear it. What are you monitoring with your gauges? Well that is enough for now but thanks for your input on everything.

 

[John]

I installed a custom modified ATP oil pan blanket followed by a customized ATP exhaust manifold/turbine housing blanket, rounding it off with a custom ATP exhaust brake/down pipe blanket on my '98. 5 24V equipped Ram. Although I can't comment on the actual numerical sound reduction values of each blanket I can tell you the results are definitely worth the purchase price!



As soon as I have my hood fixed and repainted I will be having ATP custom make a hood blanket for it as well!



Personally, I think the best bang for the buck is the ATP oil pan blanket. Although ATP's Website sort of down plays their oil pan blanket's effectiveness, it has better sound abatement qualities (as heard from inside the cab), than the other two ATP products I currently have on my Ram!