Exhaust Brakes - Which is the best survey

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I am going to buy an exhaust brake, but having no experience, you guys can help me out. Answer the following:

1. IYHO, which brand exhaust brake is best?
2. Why is it better than others?
3. Is it better to be just after the turbo, or further downstream?
4. Who is the best company/distributor to buy from?
5. Can I install it easily?

Thanks. I'll sum up the responses in a couple of days and re-post!

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 anti-spin, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock, + a mpg increaser goodie

 

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Search old threads, I recall sometime back someone compared 3 or 4 exhaust breaks, or maybe it was in an issue of TDR? I don't recall, I'll look into finding it.

 

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Here's my opinions.

1. I went with PacBrake.

2. Price and performance.

3. The closer to the turbo you are, the better it works. Therefore, direct mount is best.

4. That is up to you. Have you bought anything from a popular vendor. I bought mine from TST because I have dealt with them before.

5. I had mine installed in less than an hour. The hardest part was installing the switch in the dash.

My $. 02. Take it for what it's worth.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4
Driftwood/ Grey Int.
5 spd, 3. 54
PowerMax2, 19. 5" Alcoas, 245/70-19. 5 Michelins,
Ranchhand bumbers and toolbox, dual 3" with 5" tips, "Scotty Air System", Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, Autometer Gauges, Cobra CB, Sony CD player, Polk Audio Speakers, Upgraded fuel lines from tank to injector pump, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, PacBrake.

69 Z-28 Camaro, Silver/Black, original motor, 58,000 miles

Building: 32 (Censored) 5 Window, "American Graffiti" replica

[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 06-14-2000). ]

 

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I use a PacBrake and it's worked fine. These things are just a way to plug the exhaust pipe so there is not much difference. One thing that's a help is to use it all the time. If not, it can coke up and stick.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,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

 

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I have the Pac Brake & am still having trouble with it releasing. I had one on my 96 & never had any problems. I try to leave it on all the time, but, when it started hanging up engaged, I had to quit using it. I have replaced the actuator switch once & cleaned several times. Still having problems.

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Hacksaw 1998. 5 Red Quad Cab 4X4 Dually Blue Box & Pac Brake 5 Speed . Delete Blue Box, after 2 pumps, got gun shy.

 

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I have a PacBrake with the plug and 60# exh. valve springs. I like it.

Hacksaw,.
I had the sticking on problem. I contacted Pac and they sent me a new cylinder n/c. Said they changed seal material.

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Paul A. Schmidt
95, 4X4, SLT 2500, 5 spd. , 4. 10, 270 hp. ,675ft. lb. TST, AFC spring kit,215hp. injectors, Pacbrake, Walker muffler,
GearVendor O. D.
Eastern PA.

 

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I agree on the Pac Brake, only wish to add that it now operates off the electronics of the truck, not a switch under the accelerator. This is the 2nd one I have had and both are excellent.
Larry

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Ram Rod
'01 3500 white quad cab sport 4x4 ETH DEE SLT+ 4:10s posi Pac brake tow/camper pkg.
35' holiday rambler 5th wheel

 

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FYI I installed a BD brake this weekend. Top quality all stainless hardware easy install.

 

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I also have a Pacbrake and I really like it. Works just fine.

Don

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"The Shadow" 2001 Dodge Ram SLT 2500 QC 5spd 3. 55lsd, Short Bed, Sport, Black, Camel/Tan Interior, Trailer tow package, Camper package, Infinity sound, VanAakan CPC, DD Boost Module and Elbow, Pacbrake. Towing a 27ft Dutchman 5th wheel w/slide.

Member Great Lakes TDR

NRA Member.

 

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Have had my BD brake for about 2 months now. Absolutely love it! Makes driving in the mountains with the camper a "no brainer".

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91. 5 D250 5 speed, 16cm2 housing, gauges (EGT, boost, tach), BD exhaust brake (w/ 60lb springs)

 

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I also have a Pac Brake & love it. Read an article in the TDR about this & it said the BD worked better at low RPM than the Pac Brake because of a different style of bypass
just my . 02 worth
Rick

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99 3500 4x4 QC,5spd,3. 55 posi,turn over ball goose neck hitch,Putnam class V reciever hitch,Alcoa alum. wheels,275 hp inj. home built boost module,4 in. straight exhaust(built it in my shop)Pac brake,4 leaf overload springs,all options execpt leather & keyless entry,10 ft. camper,2horse tongue pull trlr. ,30 ft. gooseneck 3 horse living quarter trlr. ,24 ft flat bed that I haul my Ford 4x4 race truck on.

 

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I've had the BD brake on my truck since March 25th and I LOVE it! A friend of mine has a pac brake on his truck and I can tell you that my BD stops a lot harder than his down below 2000 rpm (about the same at high rpm). Another thing we've discovered is that with the exhaust brake engaged at idle his truck will still cool down below 300 degrees (very slowly) or if he just started his truck cold and engages the brake it won't go over 300. Mine on the other hand will go up to around 500 degrees EGT on a cold start with the brake engaged. This means my truck warms up a LOT faster than his with the brake engaged. In 30 degree weather my truck takes about 5 minutes to get up to full operating temp - he's never waited long enough. The reason the BD brake works better down low is that the pac brake has a hole in it's plate so it doesn't create too much back pressure. BD's has a solid plate and has an variable plate that it adjusted by the controller reading the amount of back pressure and adjusting it. The PAC brake is all or nothing. Also, the vacuum cylinder on the BD is way bigger (over twice I'd say) than that on the pac brake. I bought mine through Diesel Injection Service of Texas ( http://www.dieselpage.com/ ) and got a pretty good deal on it. Just my $. 02!

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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR, Chapter Forums Moderator
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter, boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, muffler eliminator, 5" chrome tip, BD Exhaust Brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars, Stull SS grill & bumper inserts, Front Draw-Tite receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's

[This message has been edited by Steve St. Laurent (edited 06-13-2000). ]

 

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Thanks to all so far!

Steve, I plan on being at the event in HELL #ad
Are you going to be there? If so, I'd like to check out the operation of the exhaust brake in your truck, as well as the gauges, spray in liner, and muffler eliminator. Plus you might be able to talk me into joining the GLTDR #ad


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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 anti-spin, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock, + a mpg increaser goodie

[This message has been edited by JyRO (edited 06-13-2000). ]

 

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I'll be there of course!! #ad
I'll be entered in the show and shine contest. We may have a small booth set up or may just have something on one of our tailgates. We'll have a big GLTDR sign wherever we are. Look for the truck with a GLTDR hitch cover on the front and rear!!

-Steve

 

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I think the reason that the BD works better at lower RPM's is the amount of closure you get. PacBrake only gives 90% closure. It's designed that way.

[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 06-13-2000). ]

 

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I always assumed that when the truck's rpm's got too low that a sensor would disengage the exhaust brake. But from what Steve has said, it will run at idle with the exhaust brake engaged. Wouldn't that stall the truck? #ad
Or does the brake allow enough exhaust flow that the engine can keep running?

I suppose that's the reason it warms up quicker, because the engine is actually working harder because of the backpressure built up from the exhaust brake. #ad
Is that correct?

On the other hand, wouldn't you have problems when you were, say ... . decelerating and wanted to shift down to bring the r's back up or you were coming to a stop. Wouldn't the increased decelerating momentum of the engine (caused by the exhaust brake) toward idle cause the engine to pass idle and stall? #ad


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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 anti-spin, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock, + a mpg increaser goodie

 

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The truck never stalls JyRO. There is enough flow to stay running - the brake doesn't block off the pipe completely (I'd hate to think what would happen if it did). It does put more of a load on the engine and that's why the EGT's are higher - as is the combustion chamber temp. With the exhaust brake engaged at idle you don't have to worry about idling too long as your combustion temps never get too low. Without it if you idle for too long the combustion temps will get too low to burn all of the fuel and it will wash down your cylinder walls - with the brake engaged you can idle all day. When shifting (up or down) there isn't any problem either - it simply reduces the RPM's faster than otherwise. What you do have to do is when downshifting you need to rev up the engine to close to the speed it will be running before you let the clutch out (you should always do this anyways, IMO) and when you do that the brake will disengage while your foot is on the pedal and reengage when you take your foot back off. If you don't do this the rear end will chatter and you'll put more wear on your clutch.

-Steve

 

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Steve, you'd float a valve if you had complete closure.

 

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Does anyone have any exp with USGear brake with the wastegate? It seems that this would be the best way. As always though i'm sure there are two sudes to that coin.

 

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Larry, the way it was explained to me by people in the know is that the further you get from the turbo, the less effective the brake is. Since the US Gear mounts in the exhaust somewhere under the the truck, it is not as close as the direct mounts are (i. e. PacBrake, BD, Cummins E Brake, etc. ) That is not to say that the US Gear brake is not a good product, but the performance may not be what you expect. Just my thoughts.