Cat 6NZ max the jakes

I'm thinking about buying a new used truck with a cat 6NZ built in 2002. Very fresh inframe etc. Woohoo, no egr etc. Anyhow, I'm a Cummins freak and have owned a big cam 400, N14 and an ISX. So yes, I just may become a convert to a yellow motor. I spend at least 85% of my time in the mountains of BC. Therefore maximum hold back going downhill is what I want. One thing about Cummins, they've always been king off the jakes. Slam the ISX if you want, but you have to wear a seat belt, otherwise hit the jakes and you'll go flying through the windshield. Ha ha. Anyhow, I already know there isn't a kitty out there that can hold like a Cummins.

So my knowledgeable yellow gearheads on here, what is the special Cat secret on getting better jaking? I've heard over the years something like an add-on exhaust brake or whatever. The motor is set at 550.

Thanks in advance.

 

I dusted off my memory data banks. I think the add on jake for a Cat is called a retarder. I won't get into the debate on whether or not that is a politically correct term, lol. But anything that helps me transition from running long downgrades in top gear with an ISX to a cat would be appreciated.

 

Well, I'm more wake this morning. Thanks to my memory about a retarder, I surfed for a while and came across what's called a Cat BrakeSaver. Supposedly it was a factory option for 3406 up to C15s. But was seeing two different methods that were called a BrakeSaver. One is a unit that fits on your driveshaft, lots of mods to tranny etc to make it fit. The other is a compression brake that mounts on the engine. Without getting into all the technical stuff for either, basically it's either a hellacious cost to retrofit, or would have to a motor with that option. Although something for the driveshaft doesn't seem to me to be specifically engine parts. Anyhow, I also assume there would be ECM issues etc. I did find a kit for up-fitting a Cat Brakesaver on an engine without one. That I assume would be the compression version. Anyhow, it's a cool $14,000 before labor. So, I guess when looking at a truck with a Cat in it, ask whether or not it has this technology. For me, I think I'll just stick with ISXs.

 

Any truck that has a manual fan override switch can zap roughly 8% from the motor. It's an old trick to get extra hold back. That a required trick for any Detroit in the mountains lol. But it's not comparable to an actual strong jake.