Ok guys I need your help/opinions with an idea I currently have. As a junior in college it has come time to start thinking about my senior engineering project. Most people choose something quick and easy. However, I want to challenge myself with this project.

Here's the idea:

Considering that exhaust brakes are the only secondary braking systems currently available for medium and light duty trucks I'm trying to see if anyone would prefer and acutal "Jacobs" style engine brake. I have never driven a big truck (other than around the lot at work) so I have no experience with the differences between an engine brake vs an exhaust brake. I do know that exhaust brakes work but theres just something about that "Jake brake" sound.

If an engine brake were available which type would those of you who have had experience with both types of brakes prefer?

(If you drive a big truck and have an exhaust brake on your four-wheeler PLEASE let me know what you think!)

 

Since an engine brake is designed into the engine I don't think you have much choice which one you use.
I've never heard of an add on engine brake and don't think it's even possible.

 

anything is possible
i think if you had an extra head from a 12v , and one from a big rig , you could probally do it, i sure as hell couldn't lol, and i also know if you you could do it, make it practical, affordable and reliable, that would probally be the last thing you would ever have to get your hands dirty on again as the line up's for these would be off the hook.

 

If a Jacobs (Jake) brake was or could be made for our CTD I would buy one in a heart beat.

 

Put me down for 2

 

I would prefer the engine brake over the exhaust brake. I believe the biggest pluses are greater braking force and longevity plus three adjustable levels of braking power.

 

This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for. Keep em coming guys!

Infidel, this is what engineers do. We solve problems. I see the fact that I can't have a jake on my light duty truck as a problem.

SRT, I fully agree with you, anything is possible with enough work. Since I'm a mechanical engineering student I MAY be able to do this. The project won't be due till May or maybe even December 2008 but considering the amount of research and effort this will require I feel it's best to start working on the idea now.

If I do decide to try it, I'm planning on trying to get an extra 12V head and if I can find a big rig junkyard I may try to find an 8.3L Cummins with a jake. Its gonna take a lot of design work and machine work but it would all be worth it in the end. Seeing the look on everybody's faces when I hit the jake goin down a hill - PRICELESS!

 

Sounds like good idea, lots of head work and some electronics are involved, so u can have 1,2,or 3 cylinders for breaking pressure, just gotta watch on how much breaking pressure u have cuz if its to much u will stall the engine. Good luck with it i know i would buy one in a heart beat.

 

I thought that the 8.3 liter didn't have a jake brake?

 

If there were an engine brake for our 5.9's, I'd get one. Perhaps one day there will be.
Years ago, I drove a Pete with a 3406B pulling a low bed. It had a Jake and a hydraulic retarder. Using both, the stopping power was amazing. But the roads had better be dry or you could do some serious damage to your drive lines and rear ends not to mention loosing control.

If a engine brake were available for our Rams, I could see a raise in drive train problems and accidents due to driver abuse.

 

Are you kidding ... I'd buy one in a NY minute! As long as it was a multi stage setup. The stopping power would be better than any exhaust brake on the market.
Plus the blaaaa, blaaaaaaaaaa, blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa noise factor would give the diesel truck buyer a chubby and gladdly pay what ever for the option.

 

So you want to do this: Blaaaa or this Blaaaaaa

 

to get that sound is easy, just get married

 

And heres one on a Cummins!

I don't tow anything heavy enough to need a jake brake, and I've never needed the exhaust brake, but man I'd buy one just for the sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NeVft91FzI

I would go drive on hills like this one and just lay down on the thing the entire time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUCAhWvriZE

Another edit. And this one .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUCAhWvriZE

 

I would prefer the Klam brake. It's electric and works really good on our Freightliner/Thomas bus.