Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Mopar exhast brake ,opinions?

[GreggNoble]

hi, i`d love to have a brake for my 01 3500 6speed i saw on ebay that mopar and jacobs have designed a unit are you guys aware of this product is it any good? how does it compare price wise with other brakes? does it include a 4" downpipe? thanks

 

[PC12Driver]

The Jacobs exhaust brake directly replaces the elbow on the back of the turbo, so no exhaust changes are needed. I put one on my truck when it was new, and after a 3-4 year hiatus it's back on my truck along with the stock turbo. It still works just like it did when new. It isn't as strong as the variable orifice versions (BD and PAC Brake PRXB), but it is less expensive and as complex as a rock. Good stuff.

 

[dresslered]

My opinion is that it is the best out there. I have never seen a complaint on this product. I carry a heavy cabover and have 132,000 miles on my original brakes.

 

[Bob Cochran]

The Jacobs exhaust brake directly replaces the elbow on the back of the turbo, so no exhaust changes are needed. I put one on my truck when it was new, and after a 3-4 year hiatus it's back on my truck along with the stock turbo. It still works just like it did when new. It isn't as strong as the variable orifice versions (BD and PAC Brake PRXB), but it is less expensive and as complex as a rock. Good stuff.

i second this the second item I added after my fuel pressure gauge when new was the Jacobs exhaust brake. Still using regularly and doing fine.

 

[davemac]

I`ve had mine for 8+ yrs. Love it. No problems.

 

[ILIANBG]

Yes, definately a great product. I got mine as a cummins part# with the optional shifter mounted switch, also a cummins part#. I recommend it.

 

[GreggNoble]

thanks guys, i bought the Banks power elbow and the ram air intake unit, the elbo increases the exhast size to 4" ,if i buy a mopar brake then i`ll have to stick with the 3" exhast . do ya think this will be a significant loss in power or flow?

 

[dresslered]

If you've already gone to 4", then perhaps pick one of the other exhaust brakes--Jacob's doesn't make a 4" for our setup. You just happened to originally mention the Jacob's, so I thought this was the route you were going. I do like the fact that the Jacob's uses the ECM and I have added the shifter mounted switch as well. As far as a 4" exhaust system, you will not need it unless you are really going to increase the power. Sounds neat though.

 

[GreggNoble]

thanks DAVID , I could put the banks power elbo on my 01 2500 auto cause i`m scared to increase power on that very much. i want the brake for my 01 3500 flat deck 6 speed. so is there a big price difference in the Mopar brake and the other companies?

do you think the power elbo really adds to anything? its really only an extra couple inches of 4" as apposed to just mounting on the stock turbo.

 

[dresslered]

As for the Banks Power Elbow, the idea is to increase the entire exhaust system from 3" to 4" for less restriction and better cooling for the turbo. Banks is a great company though a bit pricey. The elbow would probably be the final step in restriction reduction after replacing everything else. There are some that will disagree with me but I don't believe it is necessary unless you are really after some high horsepower levels or really like the coolness factor.



There was a good comparison chart awhile back that compared all the exhaust brakes. The Jacob's is a well-built unit and designed by a subsidiary of the manufacturer of our engine. It is also one of the most reasonably priced units. The part I like about it being operated from the ECM is that it will not engage for about 1-1/2 seconds after you release the go pedal which allows you to shift gears without it coming on. Alternatively, you can toggle a manual switch to accomplish the same thing... I use both.



The other exhaust brakes will make lots of claims why theirs is better. I'm not disagreeing with them, but the Jabob's has performed perfectly for many years and mileage. One of the biggest claims you'll here is increased backpressure over the Jacob's. I personally would not desire any more than the Jacob's produces as I can already chirp the rears on loose surfaces when unloaded.



P. S. You can't put the Jacob's on your '01 auto without modifying the transmission so that you can lock it up otherwise you'll burn it up.



P. S. S. The Mopar unit and the Jacob's unit are identical... just different part numbers. I ordered the Mopar unit from mopar4less.com (if they are still around) for $595. I've heard others getting the Jabobs from Cummins for a bit less.

 

[Allnew2Me]

Hey Dave, I have the BanksBrake that was on my truck when I bought it and I agree that the elbow-mounted brakes do work well.

However, my Banks transmission controller is throwing codes and I wondered about keeping the brake but using another controller. Can you tell me about the Jacobs controller, such as what speed it activates, deactivates, and whether or not it might be a good replacement for the Banks?

 

[GreggNoble]

thanks for the great info, David i see you do haul a camper, have you ever visited NEWFOUNDLAND? you`d love it. thanks

 

[dresslered]

David,

Thanks for reminding me that we met at the RR's so long ago. I will try not to be such a stranger in the future. I am not sure I understand your controller issue? The Jacob's is a vacuum operated exhaust brake which is activated from a 12V source. This can be via a switch, or the designated delayed timing circuit in the ECM (or, as I have done, wired both in series). I would think that a Banks product would be very well researched? What kind of codes are you seeing? Maybe you and me both need to talk to Jason. :-laf



Gregg,

I would love to take a run through Canada (Newfoundland) but haven't had enough time for such a trip. In case you haven't noticed, my camper is a Bigfoot 3000 that is built for weather but veeery heavy. Those Canadians know their cold!

 

[Allnew2Me]

Dave, I was throwing 3 transmission codes that I found were due to the Banks Smartlock, which is the controller for auto transmissions that allows for the locking of the TC when the Ebrake is applied. If I bypass the Orange TC lockup wire at the PCM I get no codes. I was just wondering if there might be another option rather than using a Banks lock-up controller.

I don't remember if you have a manual or an auto on your truck. I have an automatic which is much more complicated than the three-pedal variety.

 

[dresslered]

I have a six speed row boat. I know others make the transmission controllers but I am not aware that Jacob's ever did. I think that they stayed away when Dodge said that they would void a warrantee if an exhaust brake was used on the slush box. Use the search feature but set the preferences to "any date" as this topic was very common when our trucks were new.

 

[darkhorse]

thanks guys, i bought the Banks power elbow and the ram air intake unit, the elbo increases the exhast size to 4" ,if i buy a mopar brake then i`ll have to stick with the 3" exhast . do ya think this will be a significant loss in power or flow?

The Banks Brake would be a direct replacement for the power elbow but if you have that necked back down to the original 3" pipe there is no advantage. They were made for the 4" exhaust. I think the Banks brake out flows the other turbo mounted brakes save perhaps the new Pac Brake.

 

[Andersonville]

The vacuum pump is the weak link in the Jake brake set up. If you don't drive your truck much,the Jacobs will serve well. If you drive alot,get a Pac Brake,it uses an air compressor that is not belt driven. The vacuum pump will not last more than 100k and they are pricey!

 

[Ram4Sam]

Take a look at the Bd brake,has great stopping power, even down low in the rpm's.

Plus, it uses the factory vacuum pump for it's power, no extra pumps needed.



Sam