Exhaust Brakes - 1st Gen

["Mad Max"]

Folks -



As the R&D continues for the mega4xdually project I'd like to know who has what kinds of exhaust brakes on their 1st gens, where best they fit, how well they work, recommendations, pitfalls, etc etc?



... yeah... my profile reads 'automatic' - t'will be a NV5600 in the end. "Copy - negative converter 'issues' " .



I know of BD, PacBrake, and Jacobs... tho I'm not sure Jacobs though I'm not sure Jacobs makes one for a 1st gen.



One of my main questions is what size exhaust pipe is most common for a good brake? I plan on a single 4" from the down pipe down, then splitting into dual 4"ers across and up to the stacks, and I presume the brake will install in-line with the single 4" pipe... but where?



Any input is, as always, greatly appreciated.



- M2

 

[Grey Wolf]

There isn't much talk about them here but I use a D-Celerator brake on both of my trucks. I haven't had any trouble with either one and they work great



D-Celerator Diesel Exhaust Brake

 

[Shadrach]

Folks -





I know of BD, PacBrake, and Jacobs... tho I'm not sure Jacobs though I'm not sure Jacobs makes one for a 1st gen.



One of my main questions is what size exhaust pipe is most common for a good brake? I plan on a single 4" from the down pipe down, then splitting into dual 4"ers across and up to the stacks, and I presume the brake will install in-line with the single 4" pipe... but where?



Any input is, as always, greatly appreciated.



- M2

Cummins ( Jacobs ) p/n for "all 12v " is 380484. Also required down pipe p/n 3804854 when used on 1st gens. We used one on my buddys 1st gen with a 96 CTD then flared up to a 4" Shadrach

 

[rumblefish]

I've got a pacbrake on my crew. It's also got a stock hx35. I'm guessing the PO used the complete 2gen setup. I've wanted one since my dad had one on his 97. The crew had one when I got it, which I took as a selling point.

 

[Rebel Ram]

I have my transplanted Banks 4" Brake on my HX35-40 and I operate it with an old school air shift Push-Pull valve on the shifter via vacuume. I would not suggest that you go buy one from banks but if you should find a used one for a good deal without all the electrics its a nice setup.

 

[dpuckett]

Question:

Can a brake from an electronic engine be made to work on a mechanical engine? I see them for sale from 24v engines, but am hesitant to buy one, as I'm afraid I'd have something I wouldnt be able to use.



Daniel

 

[Shadrach]

The Jacobs brake from an electronic engine ( ISB ) is a different diameter than your 1st gen. The wireing among other things is completely different and you would need to change the exhaust valve springs whereas the 24 valve already has the HD springs. Shadrach

 

[Dieselman359]

Brakes

My dad had a Jacobs on his '96, and he got another for the '03. Both worked great. I've got a BD on my D truck, again no problems. We put a US Gear D-Celerator on my buddys '03 D-Max. It gets to acting up sometimes, actually I think that currently it is AWOL. All three that dad and I have had were turbo mount, which causes the problem of not being able to upgrade your turbo to a larger one because of the exhaust size. The US Gear however will allow you to upgrade since its under the cab. I'd like to get a larger turbo, but after having an exhaust brake its hard to drive without one and since my BD is turbo mount, it'll have to go. Oh, and one more thing, as you probably already know, they are $$$$.



Lastly, get the shifter mount switch, its great.

 

[dpuckett]

Shadrach- I understand the wiring, but the turbos are the same as far as I know. The elbow setup is different from a 12 to 24v engine, but they are all 3" outlet HX35s (HY35s on some autos). I'd need to fab up a downpipe, as mine bolts directly to the turbo, sans elbow.



DP

 

[Rebel Ram]

Question:

Can a brake from an electronic engine be made to work on a mechanical engine? I see them for sale from 24v engines, but am hesitant to buy one, as I'm afraid I'd have something I wouldnt be able to use.



Daniel

If you dont mind opperating it manualy like I do its a snap. Just eliminate the electronic components and opperate the electric valves with a switch or use an air switch and go "Mechanical".

 

[dpuckett]

I dont mind operating it mechanically with the switch. I have a co-wokrer who is pretty good with electrical stuff, and he may be able to install the microswitch in the circuit, though.



I forgot to mention it, but the springs are a given. I need to upgrde them, as I have 3800rpm on the test stand from the pump(ok, 1900 rpm on the stand, but it'd give me 3800 engine RPM. )



DP

 

[therabbittree]

only way i'd do it is remote mount it so you acn use the 4" or larger version. . and it will flow when not being used. the turbo mount ones are restrictive to me . . for flow and then if you do a turbo swap or twins its a pain. . might as well use the remote under the truck style to begin with. .

 

[Pacbrake]

The choice, is yours you can go with a direct mount Vacuum operated exhaust brake, or step up to an inline 4 or 5” air activated PRXB, all of the brakes will give you good performance but the PRXB will give you all that much more in at 1200 to 1800RPM range.

 

[Don Tanklage]

the new pac brake works a lot better than my older pac did but like they said your choice of turbos are limited



they make a 5" brake?



wow... i dont want to ask how much



don

 

[Moab4x4]

Mine had a BD inline just after the transfer case. It was only 3" and the controls had quit so it is gone. I might go with an inline 4" in the same location later.

Ken

 

[ENafziger]

So, what'd you end up going with? US gear claims you don't have to change the valve springs on the engine. However, this must mean (to me) that the exhaust backpressure is much less than 60 psi... and more like 30 - 35 psi?

--Eric

 

[Grey Wolf]

Eric, your correct on both points.



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[ENafziger]

Eric, your correct on both points.

Hmmm... interesting. So it looks like the wastegate limits the backpressure to 35 psi, starting at about 1350 rpm.

I presume this can only mean that this brake is roughly half as effective as one that runs 60+ psi retarding pressure?

Is it possible to adjust the wastegate up much higher if 60lb valve springs are installed?

--Eric

 

[Grey Wolf]

As I remember that's a design feature and not adjustable. I have the stock 30lb springs (in the '93) and every one that has been for a ride in either my truck comments that the brake works better than theirs. The two most recent are 24V's one with a BD and the other with another US gear? Another nice feature is the fact that it functions good all the way down to idle. One last thing, in my personal opinion my 12V slows down better than the 24V... .

 

[ENafziger]

As I remember that's a design feature and not adjustable. I have the stock 30lb springs (in the '93) and every one that has been for a ride in either my truck comments that the brake works better than theirs. The two most recent are 24V's one with a BD and the other with another US gear? Another nice feature is the fact that it functions good all the way down to idle. One last thing, in my personal opinion my 12V slows down better than the 24V... . <!-- google_ad_section_end --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Very interesting! I presume you have the US Gear on your '93. What exhaust brake do you have on the '06?

--Eric