Exhaust Brake with an Automatic Transmission?

[PLaFrombois]

I'm looking at getting an exhaust brake and don't know what type of upgrades I need to have for my transmission. I know that you can't use the exhaust brake when the truck is in OD, because it doesn't have any resistance in that gear.

I've read a little about BD's "Pressureloc" and "Autoloc", and they're needed to be in place because they do something with the transmission when the exhaust brake is in use. Not sure what they do, or how they work. Are these the only items out there, or is there something else I should investigate? Is there any shop close to the "liberal city of WI" that I couild go to? I don't think I could install myself, because of my vast unknowledge and understanding of how things should operate with each other.

Thanks

Paul

 

[cwsoules]

When I wanted an exhaust brake I first added a DTT VB and TC, an Edge EZ and the three gages EGT, Boost and transmission temp. While I waited to get my DTT Smart Box I did some towing or our 10K 5er. The trick is to have your transmission remain locked up when using your exhaust brake. I found that if I stayed off of the brake and cleared the top of a grade at the speed I desired going down hill with cruise control engaged, my exhaust brake could keep my speed under control. It worked like a charm going South on I-5 over the Grapevine between Bakersfield and LA. I never had to touch my brakes.



Before I had any mods made and an exhaust brake, I found that my cruise control could usually keep our down hill speed under control if the hill was less than a 5. 5% grade. Above 6% the entire rig would accelerate, the cruise control would unload the transmission and it would be brakes only going down the hill from that point.



With my smart box added to my other modifications, towing down hill is well under control. Which is why I went that way anyway. If Dodge was going to give me gas if I had transmission problems with an exhaust brake, I decided to kiss off my transmission warranty and go the DTT way.

 

[StakeMan]

I have seen an exhaust brake work with an ATS transmission.

 

[Steve M]

If a gasser uses the intake to restrict engine rpm, and a diesel uses an exhaust brake to restrict engine rpm, it's restricting rpm to the input side of the TC. What's the difference? Why does a diesel with it's heavy duty version of the 47RE need mods to accomplish engine braking but a gasser with it's lighter version of the 47RE uses engine braking without the mods?

 

[K_Arts]

Paul,



I totally agree with what Chuck said.



Call up Bill K and talk to him. Bill is the type of guy that does not try to sell his products. He will tell you about the different types of setups out there, along with telling you the good and bad about all of them. Which is something that you practically will not get from any other vendor. Usually vendors only want to sell their product.



I personally have his Smart Controller setup with the Pac Brake and love it. The smart controller has complete control over the transmission and is also programmable to your liking.



DTT is the only way to go!!!!! Not only are their products sweet... . but their customer service is unbeatable!!!!





Kev

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Follow the DTT links in my sigfile. Talk to Bill K and make your own mind up. Consider other products and make an informed decision, based upon your own criteria.



In my case, the essential criteria in selecting DTT products were their reliability and longevity - two factors which are high on my list as, I'm a long, long way from Abbotsford!!