Question on retarding power on 2013

[Gonzo 1066]

So my new 2013 has the gauge that shows retarding horsepower. The bottom of the gauge is 0hp the top of the gauge is 230hp. I have never seen more than about 115hp retarding hp even on very steep grades with the trailer fully loaded (27,000# combined wt) the exhaust brake seems fine but I expected more. Should I just ignore the gauge? Does anyones truck show more retard HP??

 

[Wertles]

I have seen 130's with mine going down a hill.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I have to assume that the gauge reflects exhaust manifold pressure, so is a approximate measure of actual HP retard force.

 

[jhenderson]

The higher the RPM the more retarding force. Try downshifting to 3000 RPM and see what you get.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

This has been at or very near redline, 7-8% grade full loaded trailer. Still gauge shows only 1/2 of range.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Highest I've seen is 138hp braking

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Highest I've seen is 138hp braking

Maybe its just the hot rodder in me. I WANt THE GAUGE PEGGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jhenderson]

At what RPM?

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Above 3000 rpm-4th gear-loaded trailer-7% grade.

 

[MelvinPierce]

Maybe its just the hot rodder in me. I WANt THE GAUGE PEGGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not going to see it. The old rule was a very good set up Jake Brake would give close to as much brake as an NONTURBO CHARGED engine could put out.

Now, this brake is good, but not near as good as a Jake.

So, take about what power this Cummins would put out, IF you take the turbo OFF, and cut that figure in half or so. 138 is pretty good!

 

[Powder Extreme]

The new Jakes can put out the same retarding horsepower as pulling horsepower, been that way for quite sometime. The Cummins Signature 600 was one of the first huge horsepower / torque motors with a jake that would do that. 600 pulling hp and 600 retarding hp. If I recall correctly, it was a 6 stage jake as well when on cruise control. That motor has to be 10 years old by now.

Of course our pickups don't have a jake, it's simply an exhaust brake which can never produce that kind of retarding power. I've often wondered myself why the gauge reads 230hp, I was all excited to see it up in the 200 range as well. No dice.

I wonder what the braking maximum rpm of the Cummins is? I know the Duramax redlines at 3200, but the computer will downshift and run it up over 4,000 on really steep, heavily loaded descents. Maybe if the Cummins was up in that rpm range it would be in the 200hp area?

Is there a Cummins spec somewhere that somebody could find out of curiosity showing max rpm and max braking hp?

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I had thought that PacBrake advertized 230 retarding horsepower with the PRXB brake on the 04-07 trucks. I had assumed that the Ram Cummins would exhaust brake at least as hard.

 

[NIsaacs]

Maybe its just the hot rodder in me. I WANt THE GAUGE PEGGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like you need a "Load Leash" Pac claims it will double the retarding power of the factory 6. 7 exhaust brake from about 150 hp to 300 hp, that should peg the gauge!



Nick

 

[Powder Extreme]

That load leash looks REALLY interesting. More or less a true "jake brake". It actually floats the exhaust valves. It is only available up till 2012, I wonder if they will make a version for 13-14 since Cummins "enhanced" the exhaust brake. Looks like the price is right around $1,800. Not as bad as I was expecting, much cheaper than an actual jakebrake for a truck.