Exhaust Brake User Question

[JohnB]

I'm in the market for an exhaust brake. I want one that is ECM controlled (no throttle switch). Is Pacbrake the only one like that and who has the best price? I also want to shifter mount the off-on switch, is BD the best source for the switch and clamp? Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[dresslered]

I have the Jacobs exhaust Brake from "Mopar4less" for under $575. It is controlled from the ECM and of excellent quality. I bought the gear shift mounted axle switch from Napa (P/N PP6490). You will have to make your own bracket, but that really isn't too difficult. I also used the switch that came with the Exhaust Brake kit as a "master on/off". That way if I have to leave it at the dealer I can shut it off. It is the most used accessory on the truck.

 

[jstyer]

Pac Brake

I have the Pac Brake and love it. At the time I purchased it, it was rated as having the highest brake horsepower of the exhaust brakes. I also added the two speed switch on the shifter to turn on and off at will, even though it is still controlled by the ECM. Go to the TDR classifieds (thread that I am attaching) and go to the last page (page 3) for member who sells Pac Brake at reasonable price.

Good Luck!



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi



John Styer

 

[Archive]

I have the Cummins E Brake. I love it. It is easily my most used accessory.

I have heard there are ways to activate all brakes thru the ECM... although I don't know how to do it. I just as soon buy one that was made to do it. I have heard good things about the PacBrake lately, too.

 

[QRTRHRS]

JohnB & others,



I have a suggestion for anyone in the market for an exhaust brake. Think about what future mods your going to make. You may want to go with a 4" brake if your going to go for the higher horsepower. In that case, your options are limited to BD and who is the other one? Gear Vendors I think.



The BD switch is certainly reliable. I must have cycled mine a zillion times. It does rattle though which can be dealt with. You might want to do a little research to see if something better is out there.



I agree that the exhaust brake not matter whose brand you go with is the most valuable option outside of pyro and boost guages that you can invest in.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS

JohnB & others,



You may want to go with a 4" brake if your going to go for the higher horsepower.



In that case, your options are limited to BD and who is the other one? Gear Vendors I think.

.

Lots of us have extra HP... when it becomes a question is going to the HX-40. It is my understanding that Piers has a new turbo on the market that solves the HX40 4" downpipe problem.



You might be thinking of the US Gears exhaust brake.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Rob,



Your right, it is US Gear. I was to lazy to check on that.

 

[TowPro]

Re: Pac Brake

I looked at all the brakes last winter. Some advertise "We have the most exhaust braking power of them all"



What I looked at was "which brake had the most braking power in the 1500-2000 RPM range that I drive in.



I bought the BD. Sure it uses a switch, but I have not had any problems.



I have heard some guys say they don't like the way the ECM activated brakes delay from 1/2 to 3 seconds before they come on.





Just thought I would tell the other side of the story.

TowPro

 

[hotel6]

I had the BD installed several weeks ago. Just got back from a 2100 mile shakedown with my new 5th wheel up to Cascade , Idaho. I used the brake a great deal and generally leave it on when I'm driving especially in the mountains. Sure makes the downhills a piece of cake! While it needs abit of adjustment yet, its performance is fantastic. The manual switch is right below the shift knob where it is easily activated and there is no time delay in it coming on. It and the Banks ETG are very valuable as far as I am concerned.

 

[dewdo]

I got the BD system and have been relatively happy with it. On my last ruck I had the U. S. Gear D-Celerator which in my opinion was a piece of crap. Maybe the people I had install it was partly to blame. (Camping World) I replaced the control module at least three time at a price of around $200. 00 plus. Descending in to Laughline, NV I had everything blow off from the exhaust brake to the tail pipe. Fought with Camping World for a year trying to get some of my money back on their so called "Lifetime installation warranty. " When the thing blew off it ruined the control module and that had to be replaced. After nearly a year I finally collected $300. 00 on the $500. 00 I spent geting it fixed. As you can see I am a bit bitter toward U. S. Gear and Camping World. It was an expensive lesson and I have certainly learned from it.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[Ted Constantine]

I have the bd and am very happy with it. Prior to putting it in I asked the question about ECM control. MassDiesel called Piers at BD( not any more) and the reply was the ECM control puts an unaccecptable couple second delay in between the throttle comming to rest and the brake activating. The switch on the pedal took a liitle getting used to , when running at low throttle it clicks on and off but I am please with the performance and would get a BD again in a heart beat. I also activate it purely with the two speed switch. That is just the way I like it.



Ted

 

[TR7110]

JohnB, I have a Pac Brake and I am very pleased with it. Most threads I have read everyone that has an Exhaust Brake, no matter what brand, is very happy with it. I do not have the ECM control on mine. I have the throttle switch and do not have any problems at slow speeds. I have to take my foot completely off the throttle for it to activate. Took some time to get it adjusted that way (an hour of fiddling) but has been working great for almost a year. I also built my own shifter mounted on/off switch with a small push button switch I bought at radio shack. I didn't like the toggle switch Pac Brake supplied. I also added a small light on the "A" pillar near my gauges. I would also agree it is my most used modification/accessory.

TR