Exhaust Brake Minimum Setup 2002 Cummins w/ Manual Trans

[2000Ram2500]

The only damage ive personally seen from engine braking was an employee of my dads engaged the brake from high rpm with a huge load and it sucked a valve chewed up the turbo destroyed the cylinders. Needed an in frame after that. I dont believe that was an exhaust brake though im almost positive that one had cylinder deactivation. Ive never heard of any failures resulting from exhaust brakes. Even the mopar accessory exhaust brake kit the only thing that i've ever seen happen was the belts get chewed up once in a while and they are a nightmare to find a replacement for when your dealing over the phone with parts stores sending samples and all that

[015point9]

I had an exhaust failure of sorts.  Going down long grade towing 9k rv and one of the plug bolts in the exhaust pipe came out.  Scared us both when it let loose.  At the time all we heard was a hell of a noise and didnt know what was going on.  Burned a hole in weather stripping about size of silver dollar and melted trans dip stick handle.  Sounded like when you take car thru car wash and the water hits your roof, except lots louder.  After calming down and wife having death grip and the handle of the B pillar with one hand and other hand straight arming the dash, found reason for noise that was louder than chain saw, called our mechanic 600 miles away, left message and he never returned call.  That was beginning of me thinking our mechanic not as good as he was.    Spent night in RV park.  Called BD exhaust place the next day and they explained what the 2 ports were for and just replace the brass plug and put a "security wire" type thing on plug, so plug cant work loose. (At the time I didnt know if any other parts were missing or not).   Most brass plugs have hollow head that I could find, but need solid head to be able to drill hole for wire (and not leak).    Finally found solid brass plug drilled hole in the head and used stainless steel dowl or "security wire".  Stainless steel dowl also better known as bicycle spoke?  When I got a new dip stick for trans, I think I got ripped again.  Dont remember the price exactly, but not cheap.  And wife didnt fall sleep when I was driving for many months after experiance.  

[2000Ram2500]

Thats crazy. I've heard of crazy stuff happening but not like that.

 

So you've got it installed on an automatic? You have to do valve springs to put one on an automatic right?

[015point9]

13 minutes ago, 2000Ram2500 said:

Thats crazy. I've heard of crazy stuff happening but not like that.

 

So you've got it installed on an automatic? You have to do valve springs to put one on an automatic right?

What I was told is my springs are good enough, poundage wise.  Dont remember number but stock is 40 or 60?  I'm under that, but currently in the process of getting plumbing parts to double check back pressure.  Was 8 pounds under whatever directions stated for more strong springs  but that was when installed in 2005?.  

[Tractorman]

1 hour ago, 2000Ram2500 said:

You have to do valve springs to put one on an automatic right?

 

I don't think it is about whether or not it is an automatic or a manual - I think it is about whether you have a 12 valve or a 24 valve engine, being the 24 valve engine already has the heavier valve springs.  I think.

 

- John

[015point9]

Dont know what  your doing or planned.  But if you need anything after installing pac brake has a lot more dealers nation wide.  I choice bd because just hour north of me in bc canada.  But doesnt do me much good when traveling around our country.  And pac brake also stronger, forget which model.  Which has its pluses and minuses.  While mine works great I would go pac brake if doing over just because of the amount of dealers.  Not to mention bd directions are written in French, Canadain and English or a hybrid there of all together.  Not one language then another printed but a jumbled mess.  And when I called up there I  got "out of country" fees on my phone bill.  And their directions are just bd.  I have pac break air bags, also in canada and directions easy to understand.  So not ranting about you Canadain's.  EH?

Edited October 31, 2018 by 015point9
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[2000Ram2500]

Im just going off what I've seen listed when I've checked they all say automatics need upgraded exhaust springs and i was only to assume that they put softer exhaust springs in automatics for whatever reason

[Hypertufa]

On 10/30/2018 at 5:12 AM, Mopar1973Man said:

 

In a word, OUTSTANDING!