Exhaust brake on automatic?

[JEmmons]

Anyone running an exhaust brake on a stock or slightly modified cummins with an automatic? How well does it work. Ive been told that it is not worth it.

I have a 98' clubcab 2500 with 3. 54 and automatic. engine has horton fan clutch, rack plate moved up 15%, straight through exhaust and k&n filter.

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[Joe G.]

John,

If you don't have a way to make the TCC stay locked when coasting the exhaust brake is worthless with an auto. Search the forum for "mystery switch" and you will find more stuff than you would believe! I have an auto and a PacBrake which I use all the time. Works great, but I force the TCC to stay locked when I want.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[DavidGardner]

Hi John-I have a 95 reg cab 2wd auto that I have had a BD exhaust brake on since 60,000 miles. I tow a 24 ft travel trl. and the exhaust brake does help a lot when going down long grades. To me it was worth the price and install. I dont use mine unless I"m towing and then I am conservative with its use. There are some problems with the e-brake on autos. kThey will void your transmission warranty if you are still under the factory 3-36 warranty. You should not use it in 1st or 2ond gear. Mine had been installed about 5o,000 miles when I had Bill Kondoly @DTT overhaual and beef it up. He said the transmission looked realy good inside (not much wear) considering The milage 96,000 miles when he took it apart. Again I am conservative with its use.
My truck is mildly bombed see signature. Just my opinion go for it.

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95 slt, reg cab, 2wd, auto, BD exhaust brake, primelok fuel filter relocator, K&N air filter, Cat sleeping in garage by fire, TST 230-605 fuel plate, Bill Kondolay modified trans, 98,000 miles going strong. "Who says six in a row don"t go?

 

[ok2fly]

John,
I have a relatively stock truck and installed the PacBrake this summer. I was really disappointed the first time I tried it. I immediatly called PacBrake and talked to one of their techs. He said the 97's and 98's lock up pretty good, but I would need to get my RPM's up by taking it out of overdrive or dropping it into second. He said it would'nt damage the transmission to drop it into second even rolling along at 65. Apparently there are circuits in the transmission to protect it from destroying itself. I have to say, I was a little nervous the first time I tried it, but he was right. The the RPM's stayed well under 3000 and the PacBrake really slowed the truck down. I regularly drop it into second now exiting the freeway and it works great and I have had absolutely no transmission problems with my completly stock transmission. There is a lot of controversy concerning the mystery swith so read all you can before you make your decsion about that. Also, the ebrake works great with the auto towing a trailer down steep grades. Little to no brakes. I'm happy with mine, but wouldn't really recommend it unless you do a lot of towing.

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[RamRunnerRob]

John, I installed a PacBrake about 100K mi. ago on my '94 (see signature) and wouldn't leave home without it! We travel coast to coast every year and it works GREAT! I have the BD AutoloK and use it on decel only. .

I drive normally (I think) and try to keep fluid changed regularly. So far so GOOD!

I have descended a five mile, 7% grade in third gear, with a 14K Fiver pushing me, without touching the service brakes. .

Works for me!

Rob. .

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'94 2500SLT, LB, 3. 54, Automatic, TransGo Shift Kit, DunRite Convertor, TST HD Clutch Pak, TST #5 Fuel Plate, TST AFC Spring Kit, 16 sq. cm turbine housing, PacBrake, AutoLoc, EGT Gage, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover & transmission Pan, DeeZee Chrome Full Length Running Boards, Northwest Custom Rear Flaps, Vent Shades,. Pull 35' HitchHiker Premier WideBody 5th Whl (13,850+ lbs). 158,478 miles as of 1-31-01 Full Time RV'ers, Portsmouth, Ohio is "home".