A total system solution with enhanced transmission control for exhaust braking, Banks' direct-mount, no-maintenance exhaust brake has electronics that monitor critical engine and transmission parameters to maximize braking efficiency. It dramatically cuts downhill speeds without using the wheel brakes. This keeps brakes cool and ready for emergencies, and saves thousands in brake maintenance. Optimizes exhaust flow when not engaged. Easy install; needs no drilling, cutting or modifications to stock wiring.
- Controls Downhill Speed
- Value-Priced Braking!
- Saves brake wear-and-tear
- Pays for itself in reduced brake wear and brake maintenance
- A total system solution
- Direct-mount exhaust brake dramatically cuts downhill speed without using wheel brakes
- Includes Computerized Brake Controller/SmartLock
- For use on Automatic Transmission equipped trucks
Emissions Compliant: D-161-40
US Patent #6,152,853 A
Manual Transmission
- Controls Downhill Speed
- Value-Priced Braking!
- Saves brake wear-and-tear
- Pays for itself in reduced brake wear and brake maintenance
- A total system solution.
- Direct-mount exhaust brake dramatically cuts downhill speed without using wheel brakes.
- For use on Manual Transmission equipped trucks
Emissions Compliant: 49 State
US Patent #6,152,853 A
Test Setup
A 2006 Dodge Cummins pickup was equipped with the Banks DynaFact® data acquisition system to measure vehicle speed, engine RPM, exhaust backpressure, transmission line pressure and braking horsepower.
Test runs on a 7% grade in the vicinity of Southern California's daunting Cajon Pass were done with the gear selector in both Drive and 2nd. Tow/Haul mode was used in all cases, per Dodge’s recommendations. 55 mph was established at the top of the hill, and the foot brake was applied only if it became necessary to keep the vehicle at a safe speed (no greater than 65 mph). Multiple configurations were tested: stock, Banks Brake with Computerized Brake Controller and SmartLock® (CBC), PacBrake, Jacobs and BD.
All of the brakes tested were a direct mount configuration. Each of the competitive brakes was controlled by the vehicle ECM (an option that became available starting in the 2006 model year). In addition to road testing, flow bench testing was conducted on each of the brake assemblies.
Test Results
| Gear | Starting Speed | Speed without Banks Brake | Speed with Banks Brake |
| 3rd | 55 mph | 65+ mph (excessive use of foot brakes required) |
62 mph (no foot brakes) |
| 2nd | 55 mph | 60+ mph (use of foot brakes required) |
37 mph (no foot brakes) |
Stock
- Excessive use of foot brake required during descents in Drive: indication of possible runaway condition
- Heavy use of foot brake required in 2nd gear to prevent excessive redlining & consequent engine damage
Banks Brake with CBC and SmartLock ® (Automatic)
- Smooth, controlled downhill descents
- The only exhaust brake that didn’t require use of the foot brake in Drive
- Highest peak braking horsepower
- Immediate response
- Superior airflow with brake open
- By far, the quickest braking response time
-
Transmission line pressure around 133 psi during descent
- This added line pressure keeps transmission clutches firmly applied
- Protects the transmission
- Over 50% more protective line pressure than the others provide
- Vacuum pump produces no audible noise over normal engine sound
BD Brake
- Uses a noisy electric pressure pump
- Insufficient braking power: had to use foot brake during descents in Drive
- Slow reaction time
- Weakest of all exhaust brakes tested
- Doesn’t operate in 1st gear
- More restrictive when open; hurts performance
- Automatic-equipped trucks prior to ’06 require BD’s programmable Tow Loc and Pressure Loc kits to electronically control torque converter clutch engagement
- Transmission line pressure just 83 psi during descent
Jacobs Brake
- Insufficient braking power: had to use foot brake during descents in Drive
- Doesn’t operate in 1st gear
- More restrictive when open; hurts performance
- Transmission line pressure just 82 psi during descent
- Slow reaction time
PacBrake
- On/Off brake activity while in cruise condition results in noisy release of air pressure
- Insufficient braking power: had to use foot brake during descents in Drive
- Slow reaction time
- Doesn’t operate in 1st gear
- Most restrictive of all brakes when open; hurts performance
- Exhaust pressure regulation requires multiple moving parts that could stick or fail
- Transmission line pressure just 83 psi during descent
