Exhaust brake for 06 automatic
05-25-2014 | 03:55 PM
#1
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Exhaust brake for 06 automatic
I have a 2006 2500 Cummins Automatic 2wd with about 100K (which I love) and want an exhaust brake because I frequently tow a heavy trailer. I think I have narrowed my search to either the Pacbrake PRXB or the corresponding BD exhaust brake. I have read lots of strings on exhaust brakes, but some of them are old, some tend to wander off topic or some deal with trucks that are not like mine. If possible, can we avoid discussing different model years, trucks with manual transmissions, systems that are other than the current versions of the Pacbrake and BD Brake, the benefits of exhaust brakes in general, the factory brake setup, etc. - you get the idea . . .
Can anyone shed some light on:
•What are the differences between how the Pacbrake PRXB and BD operate or are designed?
•Do these brakes put any extra strain on the transmission, engine or turbo, and, if so, is one gentler on these components than the other?
•Will installing either of these void my extended Chrysler warranty (my extended warranty goes out another 25K miles and 18 months)?
•Does one work better with automatics than the other?
•Is one more reliable than the other?
•Does one require less maintenance than the other?
•Do I need to upgrade anything else for either of these to work (remember I’ve got a 2006)?
•Will both work as well if I end up doing an EFI Live towing tune upgrade?
•Anything else you can think of that might help me choose?
Thanks in advance!
Can anyone shed some light on:
•What are the differences between how the Pacbrake PRXB and BD operate or are designed?
•Do these brakes put any extra strain on the transmission, engine or turbo, and, if so, is one gentler on these components than the other?
•Will installing either of these void my extended Chrysler warranty (my extended warranty goes out another 25K miles and 18 months)?
•Does one work better with automatics than the other?
•Is one more reliable than the other?
•Does one require less maintenance than the other?
•Do I need to upgrade anything else for either of these to work (remember I’ve got a 2006)?
•Will both work as well if I end up doing an EFI Live towing tune upgrade?
•Anything else you can think of that might help me choose?
Thanks in advance!
05-26-2014 | 09:23 AM
#2
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 4
From: ruidoso new mexico
the pac has a spring loaded ball that covers a hole in the butterfly valve to achieve the 60 psi back pressure, the bd regulates the air pressure on the cylinder connected to the butterfly to maintain the 60 psi. 100% identical end results. the ecm controls activation so there is no difference between the two. no warranty problems. you will need to get a lock up valve for the auto, bd has a good one. for you bd is the best choice, the compressor mounts in the fender out of the way, vibration and heat free. near zero problems. the pac has high compressor failures because of the engine heat and vibration, we moved all of our pac compressors to the frame, most do this on new instillations, we did ours 8 years ago and learned the hard way. we do not have the butterfly bushing problems on the bd like we do on the pac. efi will not be a problem. the pac compressor is bigger than the bd, if you need on board air like for airbags pac has a tank kit and would be a better choice
05-26-2014 | 03:37 PM
#3
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 497
Likes: 8
From: Manteca, CA
You don't need a TC lockup. The '06 has the function built in. At most might be a re-flash but I don't think even that is required. The install instructions that came with my PacBrake were concise and easy to follow although I already had the Jacobs brake installed by the dealer and used the wiring they provided when I switched from the Jacobs to the Pac.
05-26-2014 | 10:58 PM
#4
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 17
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Carl and Dana pretty much covered all the points.
The exhaust brake is totally worth it. My truck tows our 10k lbs 5th wheel all over the BC mountains. It has 70, 000 miles on it & the truck brakes and trailer brakes are still at 90%.
I have not had 1 issue with my BD ex brake.
Both the BD and Pac brake are excellent units. The Pac Brake compressor mounts right on the engine which is easy to service but it's looks ugly and it's in the way at times.
The BD compressor is hidden but would be a pain to service when the time comes.
If you have any thoughts of ever upgrading your turbo, get an in-line ex brake rather than a turbo mounted brake.
My in-line brake was more work to install but no changes required when I upgraded to twin turbos.
The exhaust brake is totally worth it. My truck tows our 10k lbs 5th wheel all over the BC mountains. It has 70, 000 miles on it & the truck brakes and trailer brakes are still at 90%.
I have not had 1 issue with my BD ex brake.
Both the BD and Pac brake are excellent units. The Pac Brake compressor mounts right on the engine which is easy to service but it's looks ugly and it's in the way at times.
The BD compressor is hidden but would be a pain to service when the time comes.
If you have any thoughts of ever upgrading your turbo, get an in-line ex brake rather than a turbo mounted brake.
My in-line brake was more work to install but no changes required when I upgraded to twin turbos.
05-27-2014 | 11:18 PM
#5
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: SW Minnesota
Buy something other than a Pac Brake. I bought one and installed it a while back - No shops within 500mi serviced or installed them so I did it myself following the directions word for word - installed in September. Brake worked awesome until November when it got cold and started snowing. Solenoids started freezing up intermittently and brake was getting stuck on. Called company asking for help, got none, said they had never heard of those installation instructions and didn't know where I had got them. Basically said they were sorry and couldn't help me. I pursued other remedies, but got no where. I pulled the main fuse so none of it would function.
When it warmed back up that next spring, brake was seized open I got it loose and it worked good for another 3-4 months until air compressor failed due to dust exposure from driving too many miles on gravel roads. Contacted company, again no results, I wanted to take it to a service shop that sold/installed pac brakes, but again no shop within 500mi I was told.
So I spent $1800 on a brake that I used for 5 months and could get no help or service from the company. Definitely the worst mod I have installed, mainly because of lack of customer support from Pac Brake.
4 or 5 years and 250k later, brake is still installed, but hasn't magically started to work!!
Hence, my opinion is: Buy another brand!! FWIW
When it warmed back up that next spring, brake was seized open I got it loose and it worked good for another 3-4 months until air compressor failed due to dust exposure from driving too many miles on gravel roads. Contacted company, again no results, I wanted to take it to a service shop that sold/installed pac brakes, but again no shop within 500mi I was told.
So I spent $1800 on a brake that I used for 5 months and could get no help or service from the company. Definitely the worst mod I have installed, mainly because of lack of customer support from Pac Brake.
4 or 5 years and 250k later, brake is still installed, but hasn't magically started to work!!
Hence, my opinion is: Buy another brand!! FWIW
05-29-2014 | 03:39 PM
#6
Vendor - Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
2006 exhaust brake answers
I have a 2006 2500 Cummins Automatic 2wd with about 100K (which I love) and want an exhaust brake because I frequently tow a heavy trailer. I think I have narrowed my search to either the Pacbrake PRXB or the corresponding BD exhaust brake. I have read lots of strings on exhaust brakes, but some of them are old, some tend to wander off topic or some deal with trucks that are not like mine. If possible, can we avoid discussing different model years, trucks with manual transmissions, systems that are other than the current versions of the Pacbrake and BD Brake, the benefits of exhaust brakes in general, the factory brake setup, etc. - you get the idea . . .
Can anyone shed some light on:
•What are the differences between how the Pacbrake PRXB and BD operate or are designed?
Both of us use a regulating back-pressure, pac has a little hole in the butterfly with a cover and a spring to regulate the back pressure down to around 1100 RPMs when the brake is closed to 90Deg. We (BD) use the entire butterfly to regulated the back-pressure down to 1100 RPM's, buy constantly moving our butterfly there is less change of carbon build up resulting in sticking issues.
•Do these brakes put any extra strain on the transmission, engine or turbo, and, if so, is one gentler on these components than the other?
no adverse effects
•Will installing either of these void my extended Chrysler warranty (my extended warranty goes out another 25K miles and 18 months)?
No Cummins and Chrysler approve the engine for an exhaust brake
•Does one work better with automatics than the other?
we are the same
•Is one more reliable than the other?
We regulate the entire butterfly to prevent sticking and carbon build up
•Does one require less maintenance than the other?
Regulating the butterfly = No Lube
•Do I need to upgrade anything else for either of these to work (remember I’ve got a 2006)?
No they are direct bolt on's, however if you ever plan on going to an aftermarket turbo a remote mount exhaust brake is the better option as it will not limit your turbo choices.
•Will both work as well if I end up doing an EFI Live towing tune upgrade?
Should not matter in anyway.
•Anything else you can think of that might help me choose?
Thanks in advance!
Can anyone shed some light on:
•What are the differences between how the Pacbrake PRXB and BD operate or are designed?
Both of us use a regulating back-pressure, pac has a little hole in the butterfly with a cover and a spring to regulate the back pressure down to around 1100 RPMs when the brake is closed to 90Deg. We (BD) use the entire butterfly to regulated the back-pressure down to 1100 RPM's, buy constantly moving our butterfly there is less change of carbon build up resulting in sticking issues. •Do these brakes put any extra strain on the transmission, engine or turbo, and, if so, is one gentler on these components than the other?
no adverse effects•Will installing either of these void my extended Chrysler warranty (my extended warranty goes out another 25K miles and 18 months)?
No Cummins and Chrysler approve the engine for an exhaust brake•Does one work better with automatics than the other?
we are the same •Is one more reliable than the other?
We regulate the entire butterfly to prevent sticking and carbon build up•Does one require less maintenance than the other?
Regulating the butterfly = No Lube •Do I need to upgrade anything else for either of these to work (remember I’ve got a 2006)?
No they are direct bolt on's, however if you ever plan on going to an aftermarket turbo a remote mount exhaust brake is the better option as it will not limit your turbo choices.•Will both work as well if I end up doing an EFI Live towing tune upgrade?
Should not matter in anyway.•Anything else you can think of that might help me choose?
Thanks in advance!
Hope this helps you I put the answers under your questions.
Regards,
Hector
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06-08-2014 | 06:36 AM
#9
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Fl
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