Exhaust Brakes

[drcook]

As a spin-off from the hub mod thread, I thought I would start this so everyone can see.

This is what I posted in that thread

I and others would be interested as my Duramax doesn't have one.

His truck, being an '03 is set up different than ours. He has a conventional turbo-charger. Model yr 2004.5 brought out the variable vane turbo. They work different and can have issues with an "exhaust brake".

I have a Banks Speedbrake. It is entirely electronic.

Banks Power | Banks SpeedBrake™

some folks like them, some don't. I like ours. Working with our Allison, I have had no issues.

I also see Bully Dog makes one for the 06 (LBZ) and the LMM Duramax equipped trucks.

Here is a listing from Summit Racing

http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...exhaust-brakes

Here is a Trailer Life article on the BD unit

Power Breaking: BD Diesel’s Variable-Vane Brake Controller

[Stan]

Thanks David...good info. Any issues long term with yours that you have noted?

[TDG]

I have been running efilive on my 06 duramax
5 programs
2 tow mode both use the turbo for engine breaking
Other modes. Performance and economy
No breaking but a lot more power and I get 21mpg
On the highway (not towing)
Best programmer for a chevy

[drcook]

No I have not had any issues. With performance. I had the interface fail, but Banks sold me a new one at reduced cost.

The average person can install a Banks Speedbrake.

I also use a Banks tuner. I went that route because the Banks unit is programmed to monitor the the transmission and other engine parameters to prevent breakage.

Also, it is pretty much plug and play and can simply be unplugged to return the engine to stock.

As noted, an alternative is EFI Live. EFI Live offers much more capabilities for tuning.However, with EFI Live you have to have your computer reprogrammed. There are quite a few competent programmers around, but it is not simply plug and play and if something goes wrong, it is not simply unplug it and off you go. The computer has to be reflashed.

Here is a tutorial about EFI Live.

http://download.efilive.com/Tutorial...%20LBZ-LMM.pdf

The average person cannot simply program EFI Live. You can buy the tool and the software, but you have to understand what you are doing.

I thought about the EFI Live program, it really does have its advantages in some cases. But it is also detectable by GM if there were any warranty issues, thus voiding your warranty in some cases. On older trucks that are out of warranty, this is not an issue of course.

I have had a lot of modifications to my truck to fix the infamous GM overheat issue and to increase performance and I have done all of them myself in the driveway except for when we had the secondary fuel filter installed when the truck was new and the dealership had it blessed by Mama GM to become an official part of the truck.