Exaust Brake

[TPCDrafting]

Hello all. My first post.

I've been reading your banter for the better part of two years and finally decided to join in. Bought my '98 in y2k, and after reading your threads, didn't realize at the time that I have a rare truck. I love everything about it except when going down steep grades with the 5 horse gooseneck on the back. Even with the 5 speed it pushes us down the hill. I'm looking for an exuast brake. I'm willing to pay for what will work well for the long haul. I've been looking a lot at the Pacbrake as well as the one from BD and Jacobs. I will put one on that locates itself directly behind the turbo. I like the idea of keeping it clean and clear with the heat right there. Thanks for your info thus far and in the future.

 

[SS]

If you've been lurking for 2 years you know what it's all about, but welcome anyway. I just installed the Jacobs exhaust brake - pretty easy to do on a Saturday afternoon. I like it, but I haven't towed with it yet. Some guys are finding good prices on them at mechanicsville.com (maybe?). Whatever you get, think about getting the shifter mounted switch, I can vouch that it's much more convenient (plus it's high on the cool factor). I routed mine through the hole for the parking brake cable. Pulled the original grommet up the cable and installed a split grommet large enough for the new wires and cable. I had to file the corners of the connector slightly to fit through the hole, but I HATE drilling more holes in the body. Do a quick search for plenty of info.

 

[Silver Streak]

I went with the BD and it works for me. I tow a 34' 5ver, and would not be with out it.



SILVER STREAK



96 ram, 5 speed, 410 rear end, 300 hp, 670 Ibs of torque, and to much crap to list.

 

[Happy Camper]

I have the BD and have a dash switch, altho I do not need it as the brake is on all the time activated by the lack of preassure on the fuel pedal.

 

[BCFAST]

I recommend NOT using a turbo-mounted brake because of the restriction. I had a wonderful experience with the US Gear unit. . it mounts under the cab and doesnt require exhaust valve spring changes... . and still yields MORE braking horsepower than the others!

 

[Garry Verheyden]

BCFAST,

No brake can claim to have more holding power than all the others without changing the valve springs. If the company that sold you the brake told you that, they were exaggerating. I have had the BD brake for years and tow 16000 lbs on some pretty big hills around here, the brake I use required the 60# springs for the setting I have the brake at. It is adjustable from very weak (not requiring 60# springs) to very strong where you could even float your valves with the 60# sprinngs. Obviuosly, for safety reasons, I don't have my brake set up this strong. I do, however have it adjusted strong enough to brake the tires loose on dry pavement in 1st,2nd,and 3rd gear.

Garry

 

[LarryB]

Garry is right. The only way to have more braking is to have higher back pressure. Stock springs can only hold so much back pressure. And back pressure is what causes resistance/braking. Pretty simple. What the manufacturers try to do is provide higher back pressure at lower RPMs without having too much back pressure at higher RPMs. There are a few ways to do this. Waste gate, bleed hole, spring loaded actuator, and more I'm sure.

 

[TPCDrafting]

I sent for the info on the Pacbrake. The housing is a larger diameter than the elbo that is removed to offset the restriction caused by the valve. Does the BD mount similarly to the Pacbrake? Been surfing around and they are a around $100 less than pacbrake. Not sure of the price for a Jakobs. Heard of guys having clogging problems, blown ex. pipes and leaks caused by an under cab model. Only what I heard though. Is the spring kit difficult to install? I'm not a mechanic but prefer to do things myself when possible. Thanks for your input.

 

[JohnE]

Piers conveniently has the PacBrake on sale this month.

Check out <a href=http://www.piersdiesel.com target=_blank>Piers Diesel Research</a>

He also sells the 60# springs <b>mandatory</b> for maximum exhaust braking. The springs do come neatly packaged with a Governor Spring Kit (GSK) that will let your monster rev up to 4k RPM and fill the gaps in the transmission gearing.



Take it from here... .



-John

 

[GAmes]

I have a Jacobs and I like it a lot. It came with HD exhaust springs, the wiring looks stock and it is sold by Cummins so it is easy to get new switches, etc. if it fails. I pull a 13,000 lb 5er and last month I descended grapevine hill going north in 4th gear, 50 to 55 mph, never touched the brake pedal once. As far as I'm concerned it is one of the best investments I've ever made.

 

[TPCDrafting]

What do Jacobs cost? Thanks for the heads up on Piers, that's a heck of a price! $95 less than TST has it priced. Piers seems to really have his shtuff together on the D/C and probably wouldn't be selling pacbrakes if they weren't a decent product. I figured I'd invest in slowing this puppy down before making more power.

 

[Deezul1]

I have the BD and love it. I bought that one because their claim of the most available braking power without changing the exhuast valve springs. The braking power is adjustable so if you want more latter you can change the springs and dial in more braking power. The exhaust brake is something you cant live without once you have had one. I got the shifter mounted off/on switch and use it a lot.

 

[GAmes]

It's been 5 years since I bought mine, so I don't know how much Jacobs are now. Bought mine from Cummins Northwest in Portland to save the sales tax. Check around, it seems like everyone has a different price.