[ QUOTE ]
what about the banks brake?
[/ QUOTE ]
There are two basic designs for an exhaust brake for our PSDs. The design we're discussing in this thread is the "cheap" kind of "electronic" exhaust brake that uses electronics to manipulate the exhaust back pressure valve (EBPV). When closed, the EBPV causes some engine braking effect. The plain exhaust brake costs around $200, and the torque converter lockup capability costs another $200, for a total of around $400.
The "expensive" kind of exhaust brake adds a butterfly valve to the exhaust system, right after the turbo, and doesn't use the EBPV. Those are made by Banks, BD, U.S.Gear, PacBrake and others. They cost over $1,000.
So yeah, the Banks is a good 'un, but it costs more than twice as much as the kind we're discussing.
BD makes both the cheaper BrakeLoc and the high-priced BD Exhaust Brake. So you can compare the two designs from the same manufacturer on the BD website at
www.dieselperformance.com
Note that the BrakeLoc for '99-'03 7.3Ls costs $400, and includes the torque converter lockup controls. The BD Brake costs $899, plus another $405 for the TowLock torque converter lockup control. So about $1,300 to go with the best BD makes. I haven't priced the Banks Brake, but I'll bet if you get one for an automatic tranny that includes with torque converter lockup control, it will cost you at least $1,300.
