Well I finally got the EBPV setup for my truck and I am not sure really what to expect. Setting still when you activate the valve, it is just like cold weather operations...lots of HISSSSS...

When I am going down the road, I activate the valve and still hear the hisss but I don't really feel anything.. My "seat of the pants meter" is just not bouncing so to speek . Here in Charleston there are no hills to speek of and I just rode up the road a couple of miles to varify that the valve is working, which it is...I guess my question is what does it take to really feel like the brake is doing it's job? Loaded down with the 9500# camper coming down the side of a mountain maybe? I guess if you are not being pushed by something heavy, you may not notice any difference in the "slow down" rate but I figured I would ask those who have been using this for years and years. Thanks for any advice....Dave

 

the electronic brake is worthless i had it hooked up and it doesn't do SH##. It will slow you down very slowwwwwwllllllyyyyyyy, and so will the coeffienct drag of the truck and newton's law of gravity and other forces that i don't recall. If you need an engine brake the banks does work and is very impressive your "seat of the pants meter" will go off scale...

 

A Must Read!

Exhaust Brake Comparison

 

you need to be sure your trans torque converter is locked...did you do that mod? Otherwise you aren't getting barely any holdback...and you are creating a lot of heat...try the torque converter mod...with just that alone, my truck slows down better if i disengage o/d...

 

Good Point!

BD Auto Loc
BD Torque Loc

 

If I were you I would just get the decel tune on my DP Tuner. That is the way to go! Mine works GREAT. It combines TC lockup, EBPV, and line pressure. Did I mention it works GREAT!!!

 

the ebpv brake mod is dangerous, i dont know what kind of readings you get with the true brakes but simply closing the valve gets presure above 55 psi at only 2500 rpms, i did not go any higher in rpm to check and that was unloaded on flat ground. i can only imagine what the pressure is at 3000 or higher

 

There is no danger with the EBPV brake system. I have done hours and hours and thousands of miles driving with mine. Never saw over 50#'s back pressure, way less then will float a valve. Will it throw you back in your seat, no, but its a very good brake that will save you a ton on brake jobs.

When I had mine I would never have to touch my brakes going down mountian passes, empty or up to 30k GVW. Never. Just let off and let the motor do the work.

 

I wound up with the SP Diesel setup. It uses the cruise control switches to activate the valve. From what I had read and hear from other users, it was easy to install and had minimal wireing. It was relatively easy once I got all my ducks in a row and got everything going. It has the TC lockup so you can push the "SET" button and it sets the speed of the lockup, push the "Resume" button and it sets the unlock speed of the TC, and it is set NOT to lock up below 25 mph. I have the DP tuner too and it locks up about 35 or so, and like everyone has noticed, if you punch off the overdrive the TC stays locked up. At that point coming off the mountain I will probably close the valve when the speed starts to approach 50 or so and see if she holds back. I have came off of that mountain before, and if I start out at 45, I am at 60 or so after tapping the brakes a time or two by I get to the bottom, so we shall see how it acts under a load next month. I had researched the Banks systems but it looked like there was a lot more to cutting exhaust, using the compressed air and seemed like a whole lot more involved getting it done. Hopefully I won't wind up regretting this system but I did a lot of research on it and just figured I would ask around to find out what to really expect...Keep the ideas coming....Thanks to all..Dave

 

I just searched the DP websight and didn' see or overlooked the "decel tune". Is this something new or something you have to ask for? Thanks for the update..

 

I'll pitch in here and say that the EBPV brake mod works ok. I have 24k total weight and when you turn on the brake it works best above 2500 rpm. And yes it saves a TON of brake. Barely touch the brake pedal on the way down vs riding it all the way down.
I love it.

 

Kwik, when you run empty (do you ever do that?) can you hear much sound from the EBPV brake? My 99 I just bought has 2 switches on the dash and I think they are EBPV/TC lock but they don't seem to do anything. I still need to trace the wiring out completely, but I know at a minimum that they run to two Bosch Relays mounted on the firewall with power leads going to the battery. Neither switch seems to have any effect on TC lock or the EBPV. Like I said I just bought this truck a week and a half ago. If I DO have an EBPV brake and TC lock that will be sweet, but I'd like it if I knew they worked. Any suggestions?

 

It is rather new. I think I am one of the first people to get it in its production stages. Like I said I love it. There is NO doubt if it is working or not on my unloaded truck. IIRC it is just like the rest of the tunes $45. So it is certainly worth a shot as it is much cheaper than an exhaust brake. The big prob is it is not a driving tune (but it may be possible ask Jody) You have to switch into and out of it when you want to brake or not brake. If you do a manual EBPV and TC lock you would have to do the same thing though.
This will also not "activate" if the truck is going slower than 25.
I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT FOR IT'S COST VS BENEFIT

 

Dave..you will only feel it if the TC is locked..I have the SP set up as well. i like the fact that it is always ready to be used..just let off the go peddle to activate it..I use it every time I take her out.. I live on the mountains up here..so hills are all over the place...found out you need to set the unlock speed then set the lock speed..mine locks at 30 right now and unlocks at 25..I hardly ever use my foot brake any more..set every thing to the speed you like...then turn on the brake...do a wot run..when you get to 80 MPH then let off the go peddle..the EBPV will close 2 seconds after you let off the go peddle.. the truck should start to slow down faster when you here it start to hiss...also make sure the actuator on the pedestal is not leaking...if it is..it will not hold the valve closed tight...

 

I run empty a lot more than towing the trailer. I never bother using the brake empty, it takes 2 or 3 seconds to engage. It does best on the down side of a big mountain pass to help control the speed. The trailer is heavy enough to push the truck faster and faster down the hill if I don't control the speed so that's when I use the brake and for that it is the perfect application.
And there is no doubt when it is engaged. HSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!