Just got my Duramax home, and the first two things I want are:

1)remote start/shutdown

2)Jake Brake

Any recommendations on those two things? thanks

Remote start, I would go astro start. www.astroflex.com

Astrostart would probably be a good way to go for #1. Contact Max Power here, and he'll hook you up.

As for #2, Jacobs, the company which the "jake brake" is named for doesn't make a unit for Duramax's, nor is there any true "jake" out there for diesel pickups.

I understand what you mean, though, and you could turn to BD Power or Banks for an exhaust brake. At least I think Banks makes a brake for the D-Max's.

Good luck!

Max,

You are too fast for your own good! Here I try to point him your way, and you beat me to it!:)

PAC, BD, Banks... all make a good brake... and all of them are the best (just ask them)

That is the one item i have not decided for on my truck.... all are close in $$$$

Anyone running these?

Thanks guys, is that his screenname, MAX POWER?

how much does the Astro Start run?

I figure its time to start modding, or modding on a small budget. Ive got about $3000 set aside for mods, what mods do you suggest for this price range?

Any input appreciated.....i figured a chip and exhaust atleast......arent those two givens? Will go use the SEARCH FUNCTION now......

My opinion, and if I had it to do over again...

Take that $3000, save a little more, get gauges first and then look into building your tranny for bigger power.

My opinion, and if I had it to do over again...

Take that $3000, save a little more, get gauges first and then look into building your tranny for bigger power.
really? how much is a tranny upgrade? isnt the allison bulletproof? How much power is it good for stock?

really? how much is a tranny upgrade? isnt the allison bulletproof? How much power is it good for stock?


The guys at edge, bullydog, van aken, quadzilla, hypertech, and others will quickly make your Allison not bullitproof and your right foot seem a lot heavier :ro) This diesel thing is a drug and you've now found the source of it here.

Oh, the Alli is a great tranny, don't get me wrong. In stock form, it kicks all the competition's ass in my book--but it can be modified to hold unreal power.

Visit the Allison section of the board for more info.

I wouldn't recommend consistently throwing more than an extra ~60 RWHP to the Alli without fear of toasting it for the long run. A lot of guys do way more on a stock trans, but I have a feeling it's going to catch up with them once they reach high mileage. That's just my opinion.

I also wouldn't buy into chips/tuners that claim they absolutely won't hurt the tranny. They may help, but none of them are "idiot proof."

Do a search on "Jake Brakes" or "Exhaust Brakes" on this forum.

There have been several incidences where they get stuck shut and other problems. It would be one of the items not worth having IMHO.

The Allison will do a lot of braking for you when you are hauling. Give it a try in tow/haul mode before you buy your exhaust brake.

Power upgrades and tranny upgrades are where most guys are taking their rigs.

sounds to me that you might as well get the tranny mod first so you can have fun later without worrying about anything or reliability.

the allison is the best stock trans no doubt but the torque converter and clutch packs aren't up to the mods for the long haul.

doing engine mods before the tranny is backwards in my book.

once you get started there is no turning back from what i see. so you might as well bite the bullet from the begining. you won't be sorry.

Correct me if I am wrong here, but you don't really save that much money by upgrading the trans now instead of on down the road after it gets some wear, right? If that is the case then why not go ahead and get some use out of the stock tranny, even if you do have some powermods, because, hey, every fewer mile you put on it the less you have on your upgraded trans. (the exception to this would be if it was always limping or becoming unreliable)...

my suggestion is
1. exaust and intake
2.chip (I prefer Edge)
3. Tranny

start off like this, it will eat up about $5000

how much is the astroflex remote start?

how much is the astroflex remote start?
anyone have prices? Cant find that forum member you speak of that sells these.........

Astrostart would probably be a good way to go for #1. Contact Max Power here, and he'll hook you up.

As for #2, Jacobs, the company which the "jake brake" is named for doesn't make a unit for Duramax's, nor is there any true "jake" out there for diesel pickups.

I understand what you mean, though, and you could turn to BD Power or Banks for an exhaust brake. At least I think Banks makes a brake for the D-Max's.

Good luck!
Search function says there is no one named MAX POWER:confused:

Take a look at the first response to your questions.

Take a look at the first response to your questions.
well i feel like a dumbass.........

Id do the exhaust brake,it makes a huge difference in stopping power. Since your happy with the power stock,and it wasnt on your list of things to do, leave it stock,it will last longer,and your warranty will be in effect,you'll liekly need a set of injectors at the minimum down the road. If the power bug bites you down the road,a small 50hp program will not hurt your trans and will make a big difference. Leave the allison alone,it is fine for what your doing,so is the air filter and exhaust system. BD exhaust brakes have the best retarding power on Dodges,dont know about the dmaxes.If i had to take a chance id go with the BD.

Yes and after you melt your valves off with that jake break let us know........

Yes and after you melt your valves off with that jake break let us know........
why the hateful response?

Hi folks, I'm a design engineer for Jacobs and have worked on some R&D exhaust brake products that we developed over the years. The main reason Jacobs doesn't sell an exh brake for the Duramax is that the company decided some years ago to only sell their products directly through the engine OEM's and to this point GM is not interested in exhaust brakes.

With regards to exh brake performance, the main issue is how much back pressure the exhaust valve springs can handle before they begin to float. Floating a valve can have very damaging effects. If you float a valve with a hydraulic valve train you can also disengage the pushtubes from the rocker arms, again not a good situation. My personal opinion is question any product that doesn't state the back pressure it creates at high rpm's. Brakes sticking on is usually a result of corrosion caused by extended periods of non-use. Typically this can occur on seasonal vehicles like RV's that sit all winter. If the brake is excersized regularly the chance on this happening is lower.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to try and answer them in an unofficial capacity, just PM me. If and when Jacobs designs a brake for our Duramax I'll test it on mine for you guys.

Hi folks, I'm a design engineer for Jacobs and have worked on some R&D exhaust brake products that we developed over the years. The main reason Jacobs doesn't sell an exh brake for the Duramax is that the company decided some years ago to only sell their products directly through the engine OEM's and to this point GM is not interested in exhaust brakes.

With regards to exh brake performance, the main issue is how much back pressure the exhaust valve springs can handle before they begin to float. Floating a valve can have very damaging effects. If you float a valve with a hydraulic valve train you can also disengage the pushtubes from the rocker arms, again not a good situation. My personal opinion is question any product that doesn't state the back pressure it creates at high rpm's. Brakes sticking on is usually a result of corrosion caused by extended periods of non-use. Typically this can occur on seasonal vehicles like RV's that sit all winter. If the brake is excersized regularly the chance on this happening is lower.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to try and answer them in an unofficial capacity, just PM me. If and when Jacobs designs a brake for our Duramax I'll test it on mine for you guys.
so does any kind of exhaust brake offered on the market today state the back pressure it creates?

I have the BD exhaust brake on my LLY and love it. I tow a 40 foot toy hauler and it works great. Two minor annoyances. First, it includes a cruise disable circuit and can not be left on if you want to use the cruise control because it activates when the throttle is all the way off. Second, apparently does not have a speed sensor to cut it off when you come to a stop. For these reasons, you have to switch it on and off manually. From driving larger trucks, I am used to being able to leave an exhaust brake on all the time and use the cruise as well as have it disable itself automatically as you come to a stop.

I suggest you change to a 4" exhaust first because the exhaust brakes may be different, depending on exhaust size.

Bob