2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Who makes the best exhaust brake?

[RSchwarzli]

Who makes the best and most efficient exhaust break? I have heard some say PacBrake, others say Jake, and then I hear others say Banks is the best? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Robert



P. S. Not sure if this matters, but it is for a 98 12V.

 

[BPonci]

For a dodge PAC hands down. For a ford and a d-max BD hands down. For a raido-flyer BANKS.

 

[SnoKing]

The BD brake is claimed to work to lower RPM's. So if you are talking about behind the NV5600 the BD might be the route to go. They all work good. If you are going to be playing turbo games, then starting with an inline brake rather than a turbo mounted brake is not a bad idea. I have the 4inch Banks brake and it works great, including with cruise control. Automatic warm up feature is nice also. I went with Banks because my stepson could get me a deal on it. Over time they will all require cleaning the control valve and/or the brake shaft. SNOKING

 

[WestTN]

I have had the Jacobs on since my truck was new. I use it all the time and it, like everything else on my truck, still works perfectly. I have heard of a few Pac's sticking.

 

[Mhannink]

we have a pac on our 94 12v and it works really good its on a floor momentery switch which i hate because you can't just flick it but it works great. had it on for a long time and it finaly started not holding so well but that was fixed and its fine now. and yes it has stuck on us a couple times but its not a big deal

 

[dodgeguy44]

I just put an inline Pacbrake on my 98 12v, good brake, and now they have the new PRXB model that is supposed to work better at low rpm than ones like mine.



I've read messages about them all sticking one way or another.

 

[kshimizu]

I had a PacBrake on my 1995 and have the BD on my current 2002. Having had both I'd have to say the BD works better at lower RPMs then my PacBrake did. Also feels like my BD has better stopping power with heavy loads then the PacBrake. I'm not sure "who makes the best brake" but this has been my experience with the two.

 

[NoSeeUm]

I have a Banks Brake and it has worked perfectly for about 2 years. I bought the Banks after comparing the sizes of the various options. The Banks was built the heaviest and also changed the exhaust elbow size to 4".



The Banks mounts right on the turbo, so unless you go with a 4" exhaust replacement you have to install a different downpipe also, which could be a pain. I went with the Banks Monster exhaust mostly for this reason as it matched up well with the brake installation. I more or less wish I had not bought the Stinger performance box at the same time. But I worked a package deal which seemed good at the time.



The Banks Brake has two features that the others may or may not have. First is a valve close then open stroke feature on every engine start to prevent sticking. Second, it has an engine warm up feature which keeps the valve closed at idle after start until the engine coolant warms up (65F I think).



For engine braking the Banks Brake works only in automatic. You turn it on or off. If it is turned on the valve will close after you have been above about 35 mph and have taken your foot off the accelerator for a few seconds. It will also dis-engage if speed drops below 15 mph. Works extremely well in my opinion, electronically. I have not been in other trucks and compared the braking ability, but even hauling my camper and pulling my boat I realistically use the foot brake only to come to a stop. I pull (coast) some pretty good grades and often have to dis-engage the brake to prevent from going to slow.



The downside, for me at least, was the cruise control interface. The cruise control on my 5 speed 02 is completely electronic. This means that there is no servo to physically move the APPS and thus the brake electronics brain is at some what of a disadvantage when to or not to use the brake. So essentially, the brake controller cuts out the cruise control when the brake activates. The problem is that sometimes it causes the cruise control brain to lose its mind and forget how to re-engage. I just disconnected this feature and manually never have the brake on and cruise control on at the same time. Trust me you don't want the brake and cruise control on at the same time unless you want to see your EGT gauge peg fast.



Another downside that I really have not researched much is that if I ever decide to use another non-stock turbo. I am not sure that these other turbo's will mount directly to the Banks Brake.



Hope this helps;

Jim

 

[SnoKing]

Banks warm up is to 140 degree's. Cruise on my 2001. 5 is vacuum and it works great. SNOKING

 

[mattk50]

i have a usgear "super duty"d-cellerator and am very happy wuith it

 

[ABeattie]

I am having a DTT trans built, and they have one that they built a valve body to go along with that uses the trans pressure along with the exhaust brake. I've been tolt its the cats meow.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Thanks so much guys, it is much appreciated. Robert

 

[AKDrifter]

BD here for me... . happy with the low rpm performance and use it often to help it warm up in the AMs.



BD brake against the idle..... with the fan removed and I'm at 160* going on 190* in 5 min. or so.



Paul