ISX15 exhaust brake question

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by skman, Nov 1, 2022.

  1. skman

    skman Light Load Member

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    Aug 26, 2013
    Saskatchewan
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    I'm in Canada with an ISX15 2250 and considering putting an exhaust brake on my truck.
    My variable turbo is removed from the truck and even in 2nd stage...my Jake is terrible.
    We haul heavy (about 150k pounds) and as it is now...it will not hold the truck back at all. Shows maybe 5lbs on the manifold pressure gauge.
    Anyways, I've checked out Blue Ox first. They don't have suppliers in Canada but will ship here.
    I also checked out BDDiesel but their exhaust brake only goes up to 4"...and I don't like the idea of putting a restriction in the exhaust (5" down to 4" and back to 5"). Also, it is set for 65lbs of back pressure which seems like alot to me....but maybe I'm wrong.
    Has anybody used a blue ox or other exhaust brake?
    Did it help much...especially at heavy weight?
    What's the max back pressure that a guy would want to see on a 2250 ISX?
    Thanks!
     
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  3. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    I've driven a few trucks with exhaust brakes. They sorta help some, but none of them slow you down like a Jacobs brake.
    ISX I had in the past had one of the strongest jakes I've used, my last DD16 was a close second pulling Super B's.
    I wonder if anyone over at Rawze Dot Com can help you get it functioning right.
    There use to be a guy on there doing programming at Blackfalds, AB
     
  4. skman

    skman Light Load Member

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    I'm on Rawze site sometimes. Problem there is if you happen to do something that he doesn't agree with (removing VGT) then he'll jump all over you. I have no problem with somebody having their opinion...but it gets almost nasty sometimes...lol.
    But yeah I talked to the guy that did programming awhile back but I guess he doesn't do it anymore. Pretty sure he left the forum.
     
    dosgatos and uncleal13 Thank this.
  5. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

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    Hillsboro Oregon
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    There's something wrong with the jake on your ISX. 150k is a lot, but you should know it's on when it's on.
    How good does it work when empty?
     
  6. skman

    skman Light Load Member

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    Saskatchewan
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    It sucks empty too. But I took off the VGT...so 3rd stage is gone. Just 1st and 2nd....and they're way worse than I thought it'd be.
    I have a 2250 and a 2350 both VGT removed and both have terrible jakes now.
    Just looking at options....exhaust brake vs cam swaps
     
  7. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

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    Feb 12, 2011
    Hillsboro Oregon
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  8. Inderjit

    Inderjit Medium Load Member

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    If the third stage is not working I would address that first. It could be a broken wire a failed solenoid or a control valve that has failed. Remove the valve cover and install a tune up kit while you are in there.
     
  9. pushbroom

    pushbroom Road Train Member

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    Cam swap is about 40% of what the third stage used to be. Still alot better then no cam swap.
    Blue ox exhaust brake is dangerous in winter. Can easily skid tires. Customer used to disable it in winter and only run it in summer. 125% of the old third stage

    Also 5lbs boost during exhaust brake is low.

    Backpressure can be double boost with a VGT under acceleration
     
    skman Thanks this.
  10. skman

    skman Light Load Member

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    I'm going to try a cam swap. Doing a rebuild right now and need a cam anyway so might as well give that a shot.
    I have an exhaust brake behind turbo on another truck... western star with a Mercedes engine and it's pretty weak for this trailer at only 100k pounds...
     
  11. pushbroom

    pushbroom Road Train Member

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    Cam swap will be better for sure but dont expect miracles.

    Jakes plus a exhaust brake on an 871 braked very hard. Not sure on what turbo was on it though. Got sold multiple times and detuned in the last couple years.
     
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