BD variable vane brake with manual transmission

early99powerstroke · Jan 13, 2013

Bd has finally released their variable vane brake http://www.dieselperformance.com/index.php/product/index/272. anyone have this yet? Its advertised to work with manual transmission customers but when I look at the instructions it has a inline plug that goes to the tow-haul button. Anyone know about this product. I'm highly interested in this product but I'm one of the few people with a 6spd manual.

kyle43335 · Jan 13, 2013

early99powerstroke said:
Bd has finally released their variable vane brake http://www.dieselperformance.com/index.php/product/index/272. anyone have this yet? Its advertised to work with manual transmission customers but when I look at the instructions it has a inline plug that goes to the tow-haul button. Anyone know about this product. I'm highly interested in this product but I'm one of the few people with a 6spd manual.

might want to call bd

Cr500 · Jan 13, 2013

Better beef up your up pipe bellows. The oem ones won't like to much of that on a normal basis.

B585Ford · Jan 13, 2013

I made one using MCC (I have a ZF6) and I do love the brake, but I can't turn it on and off (I can set it to activate a certain RPM) so this product would handy so you could turn it off.

Johnny77Mutt · Jan 13, 2013

Subed for the info.

B585Ford · Jan 14, 2013

In the Spring, I am fixin to upgrade my HP turbo to about to a 57 or 59 and no other upgrades. Do you all reckon this will increase my braking power with this exhaust brake?

early99powerstroke · Jan 14, 2013

I talked to bd diesel today and they confirmed that their variable vane brake is compatible with manual transmission 6.4 powerstroke and 6.4 powerstrokes that have programmers downloaded.

Johnny77Mutt · Jan 15, 2013

B585Ford said:
In the Spring, I am fixin to upgrade my HP turbo to about to a 57 or 59 and no other upgrades. Do you all reckon this will increase my braking power with this exhaust brake?

I wonder if it would actually decrease the braking power since you would have more airflow. I have no idea though. I hope someone chimes in on this.

HD-tech-NH · Jan 16, 2013

Subed seems like there are more and more gear jammers on here! love it

B585Ford · Mar 22, 2013

Anyone try this yet?

Motostroker · Mar 24, 2013

I'm ordering it tomorrow. I will keep this thread updated. Towing 14k through the mountains in two weeks and I'm about to put it to work!

I would like to know one thing though. I'm calling them to check if the box itself ramps up line psi in the trans so there will not "slipping" of the clutch packs of any kind in higher rpm turbo braking.

Meniacal_Mark · Mar 24, 2013

early99powerstroke said:
I talked to bd diesel today and they confirmed that their variable vane brake is compatible with manual transmission 6.4 powerstroke and 6.4 powerstrokes that have programmers downloaded.

I wondered if it would clash with custom tunes or not, good to know bd thought of that.

B585Ford · Mar 24, 2013

Motostroker said:
I'm ordering it tomorrow. I will keep this thread updated. Towing 14k through the mountains in two weeks and I'm about to put it to work!

I would like to know one thing though. I'm calling them to check if the box itself ramps up line psi in the trans so there will not "slipping" of the clutch packs of any kind in higher rpm turbo braking.

I can't wait to hear what you think of this thing.

Motostroker · Apr 3, 2013

She works awesome! I'm towing 14k through the mountains next weekend. Ill report back with what I think about it. But as of now, when the truck is unloaded, I let off the gas and you can hear the vanes in the turbo change, an the truck slows down without hitting the brakes. On the 2nd setting( vane control and aggressive downshift) it locks the converter all the way down to second gear. It's really going to shine in the mountains.

B585Ford · Apr 3, 2013

Awesome to hear. What kind of EBPs have seen with the regular and aggressive mode?

Motostroker · Apr 3, 2013

I haven't towed anything yet to really use or "work" the exhaust brake. Ill report back with ebp and other data. I have upgraded valve train so ill let it fully work and see how high it gets

B585Ford · Apr 3, 2013

Motostroker said:
I haven't towed anything yet to really use or "work" the exhaust brake. Ill report back with ebp and other data. I have upgraded valve train so ill let it fully work and see how high it gets

Thanks. Looking forward to the updates.

B585Ford · Apr 22, 2013

Motostroker said:
I haven't towed anything yet to really use or "work" the exhaust brake. Ill report back with ebp and other data. I have upgraded valve train so ill let it fully work and see how high it gets

Any updates?

Motostroker · Apr 22, 2013

The box malfunctioned on the very first hill I went down. I got it warrantied. And the second box only lasted 5 min, I gave up. Returned both back for my money

B585Ford · Apr 22, 2013

Motostroker said:
The box malfunctioned on the very first hill I went down. I got it warrantied. And the second box only lasted 5 min, I gave up. Returned both back for my money

Chit, sorry to hear that. I was really hoping there would be a good option for us.