Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Exhaust Brake

[wrichards]

I have a 1998 12v with an auto and . 354 (i think) rear. I do about 1600 RPM at 55 MPH. I am very frugal about my brakes and use torque converter lockup as much as possible to slow me down. I would like to install an exhaust brake but my friend told me that with my rear end it would not work well since is holds back best around 2000rpm or more which in my town I rarely hit 35MPH speed limit. Is there a solution for me.

 

[Joe G.]

I have a similar setup on my '95. I use my Pacbrake all the time. It works just fine. If I am below 45 or so, I lock out OD.

 

[RVPILOT]

I have over 505,000 miles on my96 3500 and have towed over 3000 different trailers ranging in weight from 2000lbs to 25,000 lbs and no pac brake. replaced rotors at 400k miles and still have the original drums on the rear. I believe the economics of installing a brake does'nt add up when you do ocassional hauling of trailers as I haul new trailers and use the trailer brakes when I need extra braking.

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

Get the exhaust brake - you won't regret it. Just keep the revs up - manually shift and stay in 2nd or 3rd while driving on the island. Just keep an eye on the traffic behind you - no brake lights when the exhaust brake engages (unless you wire in a relay to the brake light circuit - naah, that's no fun. Pi$$ed off a lot of people on the LIE that way!

 

[Underdog]

Originally posted by RVPILOT

I have over 505,000 miles on my96 3500 and have towed over 3000 different trailers ranging in weight from 2000lbs to 25,000 lbs and no pac brake. replaced rotors at 400k miles and still have the original drums on the rear. I believe the economics of installing a brake does'nt add up when you do ocassional hauling of trailers as I haul new trailers and use the trailer brakes when I need extra braking.

When I bought my 5th wheel new in 1996,it needed a

brake shoe replacement right from the dealers lot. The

mechanic said that this is common due to the transporters

over using the trailer brakes. I use a PacBrake. The

trailer still has the same shoes and they are still in good

condition after six years of mostly mountain driving.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Made trip from Alaska to Md in 1999 pulling about 12000 lbs. No Pac-brake - burned up rear brakes going through mountains in Canada. This past summer, with Pac-brake, made same trip with about the same amount of weight. Hardly even used service brakes, even in the mountains. Wish I would have had the Pac-brake from the beginning. (Along with the rest of the mods).



Jim

 

[jelag]

Gear ratios don't have a lot to do with the performance of an exhaust brake... ...



The key to exhaust brake performance is engine RPM... ... keeping the engine between 2000 and 2200 will give you about the best braking..... to do this you'll either have to shift the manual transmission to the correct gear or shift the automatic into a lower gear.....



On some automatic transmissions the performance is not what it is with a manual only because the automatic transmission has allowed the fluid pressure to fall off as the engine load decreases... . there are several kits available to hold the fluid pressure up and maintain performance...



The new 48re has been designed like the Allison to hold the fluid pressure when the exhaust brake is engaged... ...



If you have any questions feel free to drop me a PM.....



Jim



ps - if you decide your interested in a PacBrake, I can help with that as well... .