Engine Brakes

Available

For Detroit Diesel Series 60,

MBE900 And MBE4000 Engines
 MBE900
Do You Understand MBE900
What Engine Brakes
Are All About? Engines
Offer Three
If Not, First Take A Engine
Look At The Flip Side Brake
Of This Brochure.
Options
Let’s Take A Look GENERIC NAME DETROIT DIESEL NAME
At The Engine
■ Compression Brake ■ Constant Throttle
Brakes Detroit Diesel
Offers On The Valve – The
Compression Brake
MBE900
MBE4000 And ■ Exhaust Brake ■ Exhaust
Flap –
Series 60. The Exhaust Brake

■ Combination ■ Combination
Compression/ Of Both – The
Exhaust Brake Constant Throttle
Valve And
One of these optional brakes must Exhaust Flap Brake
be spec’d at the time of vehicle
purchase, or the vehicle will arrive
without an engine brake.

Engine Brakes Provide

Increased Stopping Power,
Driver Peace Of Mind And
Reduce Vehicle Service Brake Wear.
As a rule of thumb, if it takes
250 horsepower to move a
truck up a hill at 50 mph it will
take 250 braking horsepower
for the same vehicle to maintain
50 mph going down the hill.
If this same truck
engine was
equipped with an
engine brake that
The Detroit Diesel MBE900 Constant Throttle Valve
Engine Brake Produces:
■ 80 braking horsepower on the MBE904
■ 127 braking horsepower on the MBE906
The Detroit Diesel MBE900 Exhaust Flap
Engine Brake Produces:
■ 90 braking horsepower on the MBE904
■ 100 braking horsepower on the MBE906

produces 215 brak-

ing horsepower, the Detroit Diesel’s MBE900 Combination Constant Throttle
vehicle service Valve Brake And Exhaust Flap Engine Brake Produces:
brakes must make ■ 111 braking horsepower on the MBE904
■ 215 braking horsepower on the MBE906
up the difference
in required
braking power for
the truck to
descend the hill
at a controlled Why An Engine Brake On A MBE900?
50 MPH.
If a MBE904 powered truck, hauling
baked goods at 40 mph up a hill, requires
150 horsepower, the same truck will require
approximately 150 braking horsepower to
come down the hill at a controlled 40 mph
speed. With no engine brake, the vehicle serv-
ice brakes must provide 100% of the braking
power. If the truck is spec’d with a constant
throttle valve engine brake, producing 80 brak-
ing horsepower, the vehicle service brakes
would have to provide about 50% of the
braking power. If the same truck was
equipped with both the constant throttle valve
and exhaust flap engine brake, producing
111 braking horsepower, the vehicle service
brakes would be required to provide less
than 30% of required braking power.
MBE4000
The
MBE4000
Engine
Offers
Two Engine
Brakes
GENERIC NAME DETROIT DIESEL NAME

■ Standard ■ Combination
Combination Of Both – The
Compression/ Constant Throttle
Exhaust Brake Valve And
Exhaust Flap Brake

■ Optional ■ Turbobrake
Combination
Compression/ Remember, many of the
Exhaust Brake smart fleets & operators
spec the turbobrake at
time of purchase for
immediate increased
productivity, savings &
Standard equipment on an higher residual value at
MBE4000 engine includes both a time of resale.
constant throttle valve compres-
sion engine brake and an exhaust
flap exhaust brake.
In addition, a unique combination
compression/exhaust brake called a
turbobrake is an exclusive option on
the MBE4000 engine.
Both the standard and optional
brakes operate at noise levels
significantly below that of typical
engine brakes and can often be
used where others are prohibited.

“I Used To Stab The Service

Brake 4-5 Times Going Downhill...
Now I Don’t Even Need To Grab
The Service Brake.”
The MBE4000 standard equipment
engine brake, both constant throt-
tle valve and exhaust flap engine
brakes, works a little differently on
different truck chassis. See chart to
the right. Freightliner allows them to
be turned on or off while Sterling
and Western Star provide a low or
high braking choice.
An Exclusive Option
On The MBE4000
For maximum effectiveness, the
turbobrake provides the ultimate in
stopping power – up to 600 brak-
ing horsepower. 150 horsepower
higher than the maximum rated
engine horsepower.
On a Freightliner chassis, the Detroit Diesel standard
constant throttle valve and exhaust flap engine brake
(on & off driver selection) produces:
■ 433 braking horsepower on the MBE4000
On a Sterling & Western Star chassis, the Detroit
Diesel standard constant throttle valve and exhaust flap
engine brake (low & high driver selection) produces:
■ Maximum 433 braking horsepower
Optional turbobrake
(low, medium & high driver selection) produces:
■ Maximum 600 braking horsepower
Remember The Rule Of Thumb

The Turbobrake Must Be

If a MBE4000 powered truck hauling lumber
Spec’d At The Time Of at 50 MPH up a hilly terrain requires 435
Purchase horsepower, the same truck will require
The turbobrake is the MBE4000 approximately 435 braking horsepower to
option that combines the benefits of
a compression brake and an descend hilly terrains at a controlled 50 MPH
exhaust brake into one high per- speed. If this particular truck were spec’d with
formance package. The exhaust
brake is built into the turbocharger
a MBE4000 standard engine brake (combina-
and has two functions. First, like all tion constant throttle valve and exhaust flap)
exhaust brakes, it restricts the flow producing 433 braking horsepower, the vehicle
of exhaust. But, in addition, it redi-
rects the flow of the exhaust gasses service brake would be lightly used. If the
to speed up the turbocharger com- MBE4000 engine was equipped with the
pressor wheel. The increased speed
of the compressor provides more optional turbobrake, the engine brake would
fresh air into the engine during the control the descent at 50 MPH virtually itself,
intake stroke, which meant that requiring no braking horsepower from the
there is more air to compress during
the compression stroke. It is this service brake.
special combination of compression
and exhaust brake that make the
MBE4000 turbobrake so powerful.
How Does The
Turbobrake Work?
1. Turbobrake is air operated when
brake is applied
2. Blade ring automatically slides
into the exhaust scroll opening
3. Redirecting airflow against the
turbine blade
4. Increasing the turbo speed and
air mass flow
5. Increased air flows thru the
engine increases the decom-
pression braking effect Off On
Series 60
Series 60®
Engine
Brake
GENERIC NAME DETROIT DIESEL NAME

■ Compression Brake ■ Jake Brake®

More than 90% of Detroit Diesel

Series 60 engines are spec’d with a
Jake Brake® compression brake.
For 4 decades genuine Jake Brake®
has been the #1 choice of owner /
operators and fleets alike.
The Jake Brake, while not intend-
ed to stop a vehicle, can slow the
vehicle significantly before service
brakes are applied.
DDEC controlled, the Jake Brake
not only works during normal driving
conditions, even while in cruise con-
trol, to assist the driver in maintain-
ing a consistent speed.

What’s More Important Than Starting A Big Rig?

STOPPING IT!
Jake Brake®,
Standard In
The Industry,
Now A
Standard
Option On
Series 60
A Jake Brake® provides 440 braking
horsepower on a 14L Series 60
engine and 450 braking horsepower
on a 12.7L Series 60 engine.
Matching an engine at the factory
with the properly overhead fitted
and correctly calibrated Jake Brake®
maximizes performance and elimi-
nates hidden costs. The Jake
Brake® is original equipment - the
brake that was designed for the
Series 60 engine is the only
engine brake available at the
factory on the Series 60 engine.
A Jake Brake® on a Detroit Diesel
Series 60 engine produces:
■ 440 braking horsepower on 14L engine
■ 450 braking horsepower on 12.7L engine
The #1 Selling Heavy Duty Truck Engine 12 Years
In a Row - The #1 Engine Brake - The Best
Combination
If a new 14L Series 60 powered truck hauling
a load of freight cross country requires 435
horsepower to climb various grades at 55
MPH, the same truck will require approximate-
ly 435 braking horsepower to safely descend
the grades at 55 MPH. The Series 60 Jake
Brake, providing 440 braking horsepower,
does the braking work for that application
without the need of much use of the service
brake. If a 12.7L Series 60 engine with Jake
Brake hauling livestock, required 400 horse-
power to climb terrain at 50 MPH, the Jake
Brake again provides more than the required
braking horsepower necessary to come down
the hills at a safe 50 MPH speed for that par-
ticular application.
MBE900 Engine Brake Availability

MBE904
Braking System Standard Optional Stopping Power
Constant
Throttle Valve X 80 BHP
Exhaust Flap X 90 BHP
Both the Constant
Throttle and the X 111 BHP
Exhaust Flap

*Incorporates a switch that allows the driver to select

Low Braking = Constant Throttle Valve 80 BHP
Medium Braking = Exhaust Flap 90 BHP
High Braking = Both 111 BHP

MBE906
Braking System Standard Optional Stopping Power
Constant
Throttle Valve X 127 BHP
Exhaust Flap X 100 BHP
Both the Constant
Throttle and the X 215 BHP
Exhaust Flap
*Incorporates a switch that allows the driver to select
Low Braking = Exhaust Flap 100 BHP
Medium Braking = Constant Throttle Valve 127 BHP
High Braking = Both 215 BHP
MBE4000 Engine Brake Availability

Stop, And Take A Look At This

MBE4000
Freightliner Chassis
Braking System Standard Optional Stopping Power
Constant Throttle Valve & Exhaust Flap 433 BHP
(On & Off Driver Selection) X
Turbobrake
(Low, Medium & High Maximum 600 BHP
Driver Selection) X
Sterling & Western Star Chassis
Braking System Standard Optional Stopping Power
Constant Throttle Valve & Exhaust Flap Maximum 433 BHP
(Low & High Driver Selection) X
Turbobrake
(Low, Medium & High Maximum 600 BHP
Driver Selection) X
Series 60 Engine Brake Availability

Series 60
Braking System Optional Stopping Power
Jake Brake® 440/02 14 Liter
X 450/02 12.7 Liter
 Bottom Line
Braking Advantages
Engine Brakes Provide These Benefits.
■ Faster, steadier, more efficient braking performance
■ Complement service brakes
■ Reduced wear on engine, tires, and service brakes
■ Lower maintenance costs
■ Less vehicle downtime
■ Increased residual value
■ Enhanced driver safety
■ Maximum control on downgrades, exit ramps, mountain
roads and in heavy traffic
■ Faster trip times
■ Higher operating revenue

■ Less wear and tear on the driver too!

This brochure covers several descriptions of engine brakes. Be sure to check the brake owner’s manual for proper use of engine brakes in heavy traffic and inclement weather conditions.
 What Are
Engine Brakes,
And
How Do
They Work?
It’s Engine
Brake Time
With rapid advancements
in engine technology
and more brake options
available today than ever
before, keeping up on
the latest products can
be difficult.
It’s easy to see why
people are confused
about engine brakes.
There are many names
for many brakes.
Let’s simplify it now.
There Are Only
TWO Basic Types
Of Engine Brakes.

1 Compression Brakes
A compression brake
turns a diesel engine into
an energy absorbing air
compressor.

2
Exhaust Brakes
An exhaust brake
restricts the flow of
exhaust gases, creating
back pressure, which
results in power
absorbing pumping
losses inside
the engine.
The First
Thing To
Understand
Is Basic
4 Stroke
Cycle
Engine
Operation

Gasoline engines have a throttle )RXU6WURNH&\FOH

plate that controls air flow. When *DVROLQH(QJLQH
the throttle is closed and the
crankshaft is still turning, a high
vacuum is created inside each
cylinder, absorbing horsepower,
and slowing the vehicle down.

The piston is
trying to draw
air in but it can’t
because the
throttle is
closed. This is
why vehicles
with gasoline
engines slow
down when the
throttle is
closed.

,QWDNHVWURNH
 In a diesel engine, the throttle
only controls fuel flow through the
injectors. It does not restrict air
flow, even when the driver’s foot is
off the accelerator. As a result, no
vacuum is created.
Since the engine is free to draw in
as much air as it can, an interesting
thing happens inside each cylinder.
The air is drawn in during the intake
stroke, and compresses during the
compression stroke. Compressing
that air does absorb some power,
but, as the crankshaft continues to
rotate, and the piston moves down
on the power stroke, the air com-
pressed during the compression
stroke helps push the piston back
down. The net result is that little
power is actually absorbed by
diesel engines when “coasting.”
Typical Four Stroke Cycle Diesel Engine
Intake Compression Stroke
Stroke
Why Are Engine
Brakes Necessary?
“Engine brake”
refers to any braking
When the driver’s foot is removed
from the accelerator, forward option that is an
momentum of the vehicle contin-
ues to turn the drivetrain and
integral part of the
engine. On long downhill grades engine, typically part
vehicle service brakes can quickly
overheat and lose stopping power. of the cylinder head
Engine brakes were developed to
help trucks maintain safe speeds
or exhaust system.
on long downhill runs. Vehicle serv-
ice brakes alone usually don’t pro-
vide enough continuous braking
power going downhill.
Power Stroke Exhaust
Stroke
1
How Do
Compression
Brakes Work?
Compression brakes cause the
exhaust valve to prematurely open,
near the end of the compression
stroke. This releases air pressure from
the cylinder before its energy is
returned to the crankshaft during
the power stroke. As a result, the
engine becomes an air compressor,
Compression Brake Features
■ Engine mounted
■ High braking HP
■ Driver activated
■ Multiple levels of braking
(The driver can usually select
low, medium or high)
■ OEM supplied or aftermarket
■ High value at trade-in
■ Lowers cost of operation
■ Reduces maintenance downtime

slowing the vehicle down.

Typical Compression Brake Sequence

The Exhaust Valve Is Opened
Just As The Power Stroke
Begins, Releasing The
Compressed Air Before It Can
Help Push The Piston Down

Intake Compression Power Exhaust

Stroke Stroke Stroke Stroke
2
How Do
Exhaust
Brakes Work?
Exhaust brakes are typically located in
the exhaust system, downstream of the
turbo, and restrict the flow of exhaust
gases out of the engine. As a result,
pressure builds up in the exhaust sys-
tem. When the piston tries to expel
gasses from the cylinder during the
exhaust stroke, it now has to push
Exhaust Brake Features
■ Exhaust system mounted
■ Lightweight
■ Driver activated
■ Up to 100 braking horsepower
■ OEM or aftermarket installed
■ Quiet
■ Good value at trade-in
■ Lowers cost of operation
■ Reduces maintenance downtime

against that pressure, which absorbs

horsepower. Exhaust brakes are not as
powerful as compression brakes.

Typical Exhaust Brake Sequence

The Piston Has To

Push Hard Against
The Pressure In The
Exhaust System

Intake Compression Power Exhaust Stroke

Stroke Stroke Stroke Brake Engaged
Combining
Compression
And Exhaust
Brakes
Combining the braking effect of
compression and exhaust brakes in
the same engine is a powerful combi-
nation. Power is absorbed during the
compression stroke and during the
exhaust stroke. That’s why the
combination of compression braking
and exhaust braking in the same
engine is able to provide maximum
braking performance.

Combination Compression And Exhaust Brake Sequence

The Exhaust Valve Is Opened The Piston Has To

Just As The Power Stroke Push Hard Against
Begins, Releasing The The Pressure In The
Compressed Air Before It Can Exhaust System
Help Push The Piston Down

Intake Compression Power Exhaust Stroke

Stroke Stroke Stroke Brake Engaged
Be Informed!
Not all engine brakes
are compatible
with all engines.
And some engine
brakes cannot be
aftermarket installed.
The best time to
purchase engine
brakes is when
spec’ing a
new truck.
How Do
Engine Brakes
Reduce
Maintenance
Costs?
Service Brakes
Some engine brakes supply over
100% of the engine’s rated horsepower
to slow the vehicle, reducing service
brake wear. In most cases, service
brakes last up to five times longer, for
considerable savings in maintenance
and downtime.

Tires
Engine brakes also play a major role in
the reduction of tire wear by supplying
consistent braking, minimizing wheel
hop and flat spots, and reducing the
amount of heat generated by the
service brakes.

Engine
Engine brakes help engines run longer
by reducing stress, run at more
constant temperatures, and remove
carbon build-up in the exhaust system.
What Other Benefits
Are There?
Safety
The most important reason drivers
spec engine brakes – to maximize
control of rolling loads on
various grades.

Higher Resale Value?

No question, resale value will be higher
when engine brakes are spec’d. More
drivers request engine brakes – it’s
proven an engine brake equipped
truck can bring $2,000 more at resale.

13400 Outer Drive, West, Detroit, Michigan 48239-4001

Telephone 313-592-5000
www.detroitdiesel.com

This brochure covers several descriptions of engine brakes. Be sure to check the brake owner’s manual for proper use of engine brakes in heavy traffic and inclement weather conditions.
© Copyright 2003 Detroit Diesel Corporation. All rights reserved. Detroit Diesel, the spinning arrows design and DDC® are registered trademarks of Detroit Diesel Corporation. Jake
Brake® is a registered trademark of Jacobs Vehicle Systems.
6SA583 0304 As technical advancements continue, specifications may change. Printed in U.S.A.