The biggest factor in favour of the diesel engine is the high torque / displacement factor. A diesel engine will change a conventional pick-up truck into a true workhorse boosting tow capabilities by as much as 50%. The same is true in the midrange vocational vehicles and coaches.

The biggest factor against a diesel is it's inherent lack of retarding power. Take your foot off the throttle and a diesel virtually free wheels. Add a 6 - 8 percent grade hill to the equation and the result is overheating brakes, brake fade and a good chance of a runaway. A Pacbrake exhaust brake turns your engine into an air compressor, which absorbs energy and the resulting retarding effect slows the engine and vehicle quickly.

There is also the money that an exhaust brake can save you. Reduced maintenance on your service brakes is a direct cost saving. If you use an exhaust brake all the time, as it was designed to be used, you use your service brakes considerably less. This means that the pads, shoes, rotors and drums last longer. In fact if the exhaust brake is used all the time you can extend the life of your service brakes by as much as 5 times. Considering the average cost of relining your brakes is $300.00 to $1500.00 (depending on what components needed replacing)an exhaust brake would save you $1500.00 to $7500.00 on brake repairs. If you are hauling a trailer behind your rig you can factor in the reduced maintenance on that set of brakes as well. This makes a Pacbrake exhaust brake a "pays for itself" add on product for your truck.

Another factor is the "piece of mind" driving knowing that your service brakes are there for you when you need them. When you use your service brakes less not only are they worn less they are cooler which means that there is considerably less chance of brake fade and a "run-away". Plus the comfort of knowing that 35 years of experience and quality is built into each brake and are backed by the best warranty in the industry. Pacbrake Exhaust Brakes - Built tough - work strong - backed tough!The demand for the performance, reliability and economy of the diesel engine has shifted into high gear. The growing popularity for these engines is seen in the automotive, vocational and recreational vehicle industries. As the applications for the diesel engine grow so do the models of engines. Matching the right engine to the application is important to balance the performance and economy factors, especially when the diesel engine costs thousands of dollars more than a conventional gasoline engine.

The seasoned diesel enthusiast already knows the why's and how's of diesel engine retarders. For many the diesel is new to the vocabulary and raises many questions. This article will try and explain some of the whys and how's of diesel engine retarders.

As stated earlier, the diesel engine inherently lacks a retarding effect in a throttle off position. In a conventional gasoline engine when you take your foot off the throttle a butterfly in the intake system closes off the air supply creating a vacuum. This causes the engine to work harder when it's in the 'intake' mode as it trys to draw in air and the result is the engine absorbs energy causing it to decelerate. In a diesel engine the throttle controls the fuel flow in the fuel pump and not the air so the engine does not create vacuum. Even though the fuel and resulting combustion is reduced air is still being pumped into the engine. The only deceleration characteristic in the diesel engine is the friction of the moving parts. There are two differing methods of creating retarding power in a diesel engine - engine (or compression release) brakes or exhaust brakes.

An engine or compression release brake is designed to affect the operation of the exhaust valves of the engine. This type of brake is more common on the larger displacement diesel engine - 11-liter and larger which are used in the Class 7.

Pacbrake exhaust brakes are directly mounted on the rear flange of the turbocharger unlike many other exhaust brakes which are mounted in-line (trucks with 5 inch Exhaust will have to use an in-line model). This keeps the brake out of the harsh road environment and optimizes exhaust brake pressure. Special nitriding of the housing and certain components helps you to prevent corrosion, carbon build-up and maintains flawless function. Pacbrake exhaust brakes are factory set so that never exceed the maximum allowable back pressure so that you can rest assured they wont cause damage to the engine or transmission. In stock and available for same day shipping.