OK, so here's the question, which of you fellow handshakers are running exhaust brakes? I just finished reading the Pacbrake website and they're saying that the brake won't do much under 2400 rpm. If this is the case then I don't see the big advantage except on really big hills, what happens when you drop down to 2200 rpm, do you have to downshift and run her at almost 3000rpm? Someone enlighten me. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I wanted it to be standard transmission specific. Thanks

-Zorganov

Since engines are basically air compressors the faster they turn the more air flows through them. A Jake brake or exhaust brake limits the flow creating drag. Exhaust brakes normally don't work as well as a Jake brake which holds the exhaust valves closed. Since a Jake isn't available the exhaust brake is the only option. Both lose their effectiveness at lower RPM's. I don't have one but have driven heavy trucks with both. All of those trucks were 1800 or 2100 rpm motors so it's not a fair comparision.

They are nice when pulling heavy loads and you are trying to control your speed downhill. Kinda expensive but if you have the need not too much.

Thanks Jeli, I understand how they work and all... The only concern I have is am I going to have to rev the living daylights out of my engine to get this thing to work properly or can I still keep things under 2500rpm and still have effective braking?

I've got a US GEAR decelerator and love it. Just got back from Moab UT, gross weight of 17,300. Saves your butt in the hills. As far as RPM goes I used to shift down and the motor would just keep pushing further and further into the redline with almost no help in slowing the truck at all, i've read it doesn't hurt the engine if the engine is "freewheeling" on a decent to run it high rpms like that but it sure is scary with that expensive of an engine. Anyway, on a 7% grade if I leave the tranny in 6th gear it will hold 55 mph at around 2600RPM. If I'm going 65 it will actually slow me down in 6th gear LOADED. If I shift down to 5th gear at 65 mph the engine is around 2900-3000rpm and the truck slows real fast. Remember this is on a steep grade, on flat ground it's a lot less RPM and slows me down very quickly, usually never even comes close to redline. I wouldn't own a manual without an exhaust brake now as much as I tow. True it does lose effectiveness the lower RPS you have but it's still a huge difference when towing. I never break redline now even on the steepest hills and more importantly don't have to touch my brakes. I think you'd be amazed how effective it is even around 1600 RPM.

OK, that's what I was after. At 1600RPM she still brakes good, that's great to hear. Now I'm not familiar with the US Gear Decelerator, is it an actual exhaust brake as well?

Go to www.usgear.com (http://www.usgear.com) and check it out. I did a lot of research and it got a lot of good reviews, lots of nice features the others don't have. Part of the reason it works better than other brands at lower RPMs is that it completely closes off exhaust flow and uses a wastegate to control presure, others just have holes in the butterfly.

I have a BD Exhaust Brake and am very pleased with the performance. I would not go without an exhaust brake with heavy loads.

www.bd-power.com

I have a BD Exhaust Brake and am very pleased with the performance. I would not go without an exhaust brake with heavy loads.

www.bd-power.com (http://www.bd-power.com)
Down to what RPM would you say you had effective braking power with the BD?

From the research I've don't I would almost lean towards the Banks as it is fully computer controlled. There's no little switches or anything that could potentially fail. I realise the computer can fail too, but I just don't like the idea of those tiny micro switches under my pedal.

I dont really notice the micro swithch too much now but it does click every time you touch the throttle. It can be bypassed pretty easily too.

Go to www.usgear.com (http://www.usgear.com) and check it out. I did a lot of research and it got a lot of good reviews, lots of nice features the others don't have. Part of the reason it works better than other brands at lower RPMs is that it completely closes off exhaust flow and uses a wastegate to control presure, others just have holes in the butterfly.

so was it $675 or $1,195? did you install it yourself or have it done?

Exhaust brakes normally don't work as well as a Jake brake which holds the exhaust valves closed.

Actually the Jake brake hold's the exaust valve open.

Read here. http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32478

Rolloffhill explains it very well.

so was it $675 or $1,195? did you install it yourself or have it done?

I did install it myself, went in in about an hour.

Hmm, I find it interesting that the US gear d-celleratorshows the same part number for the 3126/3116 cat as is does for the duramax, i wonder if theyre the same..... I am going to investigate further as i work at a cat dealer......