PacBrake ?

[slowneasy]

What are the advanages of going with the ECM Bypass installation over wiring into the ECM directly? Truck is a manual transmission.

Thanks

 

[mattymac]

If you run it through the ECM it will only activate at a certain level of rail pressure (when your foot is off the throttle) there is a delay doing it this way but if its constantly on and off then its nice. If you hardwire it then you can only activate the brake with the switch. They recommend an air tank with the ECM wireing to help with the delay.

 

[JRMora]

What are the advanages of going with the ECM Bypass installation over wiring into the ECM directly? Truck is a manual transmission.

Thanks

On my '04 manual transmission, I went ahead and wired directly to the ECM. It allows me to use the cruise and the EB at the same time. I went with the PRXB and I really like it. I also went with the remote tank so I could air up my airbags. (Still need to install it!)



Juan

 

[slowneasy]

Thanks for the replies. Has anyone installed a York compressor from Kilby Enterprises on the 04. 5 and newer trucks? If so, how do you like it, was installation easy and straight forward and how noisey if any is it over the engine? I am thinking of going this route with a 2. 5 gal air tank for the brake, air horns and off chance I'll need to air a tire. Thoughts, comments?

Thanks

 

[jelag]

As a pacbrake distributor who supports the members of the TDR I don't suggest you wire the kit direct... . the ECM delay is there to allow the rail pressure to drop off before the exhaust brake comes on... . all my trucks use the this feature and the air tank... the delay can't be more than a second or so... . and the factory wants that fuel pressure in the rail at idle mode conditions before the exhaust brake is engaged... they have some reason for it... and I support that.....



I assume that if you quickly take the pressure off the throttle and turn on the exhaust brake with high fuel pressure there is a chance to over fuel the cylinder... something you don't need to do... and thats the reason for the delay... .



In this case I personally think the engineers have it right... .

 

[RWood]

I hvae the pbrx with the optional tank and it is ran by the ecm. There is verylittle if no delay, it turns on as soon as I let off my trottle. I would aslo look into getting the clutch switch though, I believe it is hard on the clutch to downshift while the exhaust brake is on.

 

[RAndrae]

pac

I have installed several Pac brackes on the 03 and newer trucks. The latest was six 05's. I have done all combos. I reccomend plugging right into the ECM. Its the cheapest and quickest, you dont need the tank. It provides almost no difference. The delay through the ECM has not been a problem with any of my customers.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

When I had a jake installed at the dealer on the 02 they wired it directly. I didn't know any better until I went took it off and sold it.



Thus, having learned my dealer experience, I DYIed on the 04.



Now that I'm looking at acquiring one for the 97 I was actually thinking about wiring direct again. Kind of liked the on/off action versus the ECM delay action (or possibly manifold pressure on the 12v????)



So, you are giving me pause to think about the fueling. Follow my thinking - typically, or always, when you are going to engage the ebrake you are off the go-pedal anyway, so there really shouldn't be any danger of over-fueling a cylinder. Right? Okay go ahead, humiliate me. Pummel me with words for my ignorance

 

[RAndrae]

Either way a brake is wired it should not activate unless the throttle is closed. The concern on the rail type engines from 03 up is how FAST the brake activates. Dodge wants a just a very slight delay before the brake activates so the the cylinders are clear of fuel. Like I said b4 with the brake wired through the ECM the delay is only about 1 - 1 1/2 seconds and non ECM wired is about 3/4- 1 second.

IMO the cost of the ecm bypass kit coupled with install time is not worth the split second gain.

 

[RMachida]

I have installed several Pac brackes on the 03 and newer trucks. The latest was six 05's. I have done all combos. I reccomend plugging right into the ECM. Its the cheapest and quickest, you dont need the tank. It provides almost no difference. The delay through the ECM has not been a problem with any of my customers.

I initally didn't put in the small tank then added it late so the compressor wouldn't come on every time. Maybe it'll last longer. There has been a small decrease in activation time but not enough to really matter IMHO. I was talked out of the clutch switch and learned to not release the throttle completely between shifts, smoother shifts and the exhaust brake doesn't engage.