Exhaust brake

mike3500drw · 03-08-2008, 01:56 PM

Is a exhaust brake worth the money? Do they work well? and do they sound Like a Jake? Is warranty a Problem with one

**Tow Master** · 03-08-2008, 09:37 PM

Good question. I have been wondering the same thing. I know my allison does a pretty good job on holding back a load. I wonder if any of the sponsors vendors have sold or sell them?

naterik · 03-09-2008, 12:04 AM

i know a guy that has a new 08 Cummins with the exhaust brake from the factory and he loves it, but they definatly will not give you the sweet sound of a jake beacuse all it does is simply cut off the exhaust flow with a flapper there's no actual valve timing changes like involved with a jake brake

i really think it's something GM should look into though, a duramax with an actual jake from the factory would be simply AWESOME

Haywire · 03-09-2008, 01:36 AM

Exhaust Brakes work awesome ,you can set them for your own personal use . They work off the exhaust ,on the 7.3 powerstroke it is up right at the turbo & down pipe .On the duramax's ,you put them just under the pass floorboards anywhere before the muffler. Depending on what brand you buy ,they are up around $1600.00,that is with your torque converter lock out switch. In the control box it has a bunch of switches like a garage door opener,you either switch them on or off for different personal settings .I had mine set so that it was working right down to 20km's an hour . Definetly best money I spent ,purchased an 03 duramax this fall ,am setting it up for exhaust brake and complete exhaust system. For the duramax make sure when you are ordering that you tell them what size exhaust pipe you have

Haywire · 03-09-2008, 01:38 AM

just a quick note ,no they do not sound like the big rigs ,very quiet

f419sr1 · 03-09-2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike3500drw

Is a exhaust brake worth the money? Do they work well? and do they sound Like a Jake? Is warranty a Problem with one

The 4500s come stock with the exhaust brake. I wouldnt think it would cause a warranty issue and they do work well. I f you tow alot they will save your brakes. I dont see any reason if you dont tow.

mike3500drw · 03-09-2008, 08:58 AM

i tow every day around 11,000 to 15,000 depending on what machine and equipment it is

**Pat@BD** · 03-11-2008, 01:07 PM

I had never used one before I worked for BD. I used to tow my Jeep on a trailer at about 8000lbs. I used to think the tow haul was all you needed. Then I started working here and put one in. I could not belive the difference. I could come down a 7% grade and not even touch the brakes. You dont have to use it only when you are towing. You can use it all the time. You can triple the life of your regular service brakes. They are very easy to use as well.

I wouldnt go without one again.

Harold-Pacbrake · 03-11-2008, 04:03 PM

Are exhaust brakes worth the money? It seems some guy’s with the Duramax will debate the tow haul is all you need. The exhaust brake will essentially double the tow haul effect, therefore, you will spend less time riding your service and trailer brakes.

The likely hood of ever experiencing brake fade is greatly reduced. So the real question is, What is greater safety and less brake repairs worth to you?

If you averaging around 10K# your tow haul mode, service brakes, and trailer brake could be enough for you, if you’re looking for that whole lot more then an exhaust brake is the way to go. As for warranty issues I have not seen any.

f419sr1 · 03-11-2008, 04:47 PM

If your not towing all the time you would have to put alot of mile on to justify the cost. Or the saftey may justify it for you.