I currently own a 2003 GMC 2500 Duramax and want to install a exhaust brake. But I heard that you need to upgrade you transmission to take the extra heat and stress. Does anyone agree? I have the Allison transmission.
All that you need is to be able to keep the converter locked, that is what is key with an exhaust brake and auto. The tranny should be fine as long as the converter always locks when you hit the exhaust brake switch.
Why do you want an exhaust brake? The Alli dynamic braking is very good in my experience. I've actually had to give it gas loaded 15k going down a 6% grade because I was loosing too much speed. Do you know how to use the dynamic braking? If not, look it up in your manual, it works very well. In any case, I can't help with exhaust brakes because I really have not felt the need to seriously look into one.
How does this "dynamic" braking work in the Allison? Is it just compressing the transmission fluid to serve as a brake, or is the engine providing the braking? If it does use the transmission fluid somehow, does it keep the fluid at a safe temperature to avoid thermal breakdown? Sounds intriguing...
All it does is take advantage of the engine's backpressure. I've never driven one but I guess you activate it by using the brake and accelerator going down hill and the tranny starts downshifting, and keeps the converter locked, which greatly helps to start with.
Not exactly, there is no real back pressure in a diesel (but you knew that). I *think* it is an active collaboration between engine ECM (timing) and trans TCM (staying locked, down shift, hydro back pressure) but I don't really know the details except that it works very well. And I've NEVER had a temp problem, even at 110+ ambient in AZ going up/down Sunrise at 6%+. You use it by letting off the accelerator and lightly depressing the brake, then release. If it is still gaining speed, or not loosing enough, touch the brake again to increase the strength. Not sure how many times that works to increase the decel, never had to touch it more than twice, usually just once.
I want an exhaust brake to help my brakes with loads on the hills where we live. But this magazine i got recommends upgrading the torque converter.
I haven't used the allison tranny brake on a trailer. But have with the truck loaded. Some friends of mine told me it would help to get an exhaust brake to help the tranny in braking on the steep hills where we live.
You need to use the system pulling a trailer. You will very likely relize you don't need an exhaust brake. If BadDog can hold back 15K worth of trailer back with the system, you should be ok. Heck, pulling 8K I don't even have to touch the brakes by just holding my unlocked tranny in 2nd gear and keeping the RPM's way up. I would think the Allison bynamic braking should work great.
I used my Allison/Duramax truck to pull a heavy trailer today. I must say I didn't like the way the Allison transmission brake worked. But maybe I don't know how to use it properly? I don't know? Bought the truck used with no manual. Any help anyone? I'm thinking the trailer was in the 10k range. Just a guess. I will say I didn't tap the brakes like I normally do. But only cause I did alot of city driving.
I don't think it's designed for city driving at all. It's designed to hold the loads back coming down hills. It has to do with tapping the brake and accelerator. It gets more aggressive each time you tap the pedal, I think there is three or four levels. I'm not sure though, I don't own one of those trucks.
