Harmonic balancer help

[Diabolical]

I am looking into a new harmonic balancer.
What sizes do you guys run and why?
Advantages/disadvantages..

I have an older 6-1/4" Fluidampr but I want to upgrade.

I am sure the smaller diameter helps rev a little faster but I see them all the way
up to 8" for a small block.

Any insight would be very helpful.

Mike

[jdrags10]

I prefer the fluidampner over the other brands. Mainly because of design. How can a dampner full of metal absorb harmonics? That said smaller is lighter which makes it rev faster. But larger absorbs more. I have a 6 3/4" on mine. I have sprayed it hard. Every time I have tore the motor down the bearings always look brand new like I just pulled them out of the package. Also I run the tavia billet adjustable pointer. So if you want to run something like that be sure you get a balancer in the size of the pointer you want to use. Also some balancers recommend sending them in to be rebuilt. Fluidampner does not. Which is a plus, less maintenance.

[Mark @ Hammerhead Racing]

SBC runs two sizes IIRC small (6 3/4) and large (8) for 350 stroke (3.48") motors. Small revs quicker..TCI Rattler tops the heap I think..Pricey though...SFI ones start around $100...I'd get a decent one if I were you. Saves bearings.

http://www.dragzine.com/tech-stories/engine/tcis-rattler-balancer-tech-review/

[406shark]

I have the TCI Rattler on my engine, 6 3/4". It was on the truck when I bought it. Appears to work well as the old engine showed the bearings to be in good shape upon tear-down.


Jeff

[deimos]

I always thought the larger the dampner the more power it would give ya.

[alan johnson]

put a ATI 6.325'' on it and don't look back. no need to rebalance and sure you will need
to send it back to them in the year 2021 but so what.i got a neighbor that runs a $50,000
engine in his dragster and a ATI damper is on it.ALAN

[Disturbing V6]

I run a ATI 7 inch SFI balancer. Granted in a few years it might have to be rebuilt. But when there nice enough to build it to the specs needed so I can run a crank trigger I can't go wrong. Try cutting 3/8 inch off a fluid damper hub length and tell me what happens to your front seal.

[Rickracer]

My machinist says ATI is the best right now, but I've also had a (non-SFI) Fluidamper on my 360 for a lot of years. When I freshened it up at about 130,000 miles, the bearings still looked like new. :cool4:

[Randy 406]

ATI Super Damper here. It is preffered by most engine builders.

[Mark @ Hammerhead Racing]

OK now I'm curious since I too am in the market, you guys with ATI stuff, what is the advantage over TCI?? I want the best bang for my buck but don't have time to research everything as much as I do my specialty which is fabrication.

Opinions on both?

[Randy 406]

Here's a few threads to read.


http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313351&highlight=TCI+rattler

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266454&highlight=TCI+rattler

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250950&highlight=TCI+rattler

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236268&highlight=TCI+rattler

[406shark]

If I was in the market for a new one I would spend the money on the Super Damper (ATI). I've only heard good things about them.


Jeff

[Kelly Kilbourne]

I would go with an ATI they are the best. I would get the 6.325in with an aluminum hub. The customer service at ATI is great also.

[jameskirk1]

I don't know anything about balancers other than when I see some NHRA racing class where every half horsepower costs $1000.00 there's an ATI super on it :D

[spib]

I got a ati, on my 385 I heard they are the best

[AlteredRacer]

I got a ati, on my 385 I heard they are the best

I run all ati balancers as well. They're considered the best in the market and they're rebuildable

[Diabolical]

I ordered mine yesterday.. Will be shipping on Monday..
I'll post pics when it arrives.

[alan johnson]

good move mike.money well spent. make sure you read and understand the included instructions.they know what they are talking about.i guess the main thing is to check your crank snout dia and the hub inner dia.as you my have to adjust it.read-hone the hub dia to correct size.Alan

[AlteredRacer]

Did you order the aluminum hub or the steel hub??????????? I run the aluminum 6 3/8" because of weight, less weight on the end of the crank= less bearing wear and rotating weight

[Diabolical]

I didnt buy the ATI unit..
I know.. I know..
I did a bunch of checking around and was really impressed with Innovators West.
They are well built units..

"The Innovators West dampers are a friction style damper. Inside the damper is a wet friction clutch pack assembly. Spring Loaded inertia rings work in conjunction with clutches to provide the dampening action. There is a small amount of fluid inside that acts as a lubricant as well as dissipates heat. The free floating clutch pack design allows for a broad dampening range in a small package."

I got the Billet Hub and all Aluminum construction.. 6.75"

The pic below is from their site.
http://www.s10racer.com/board/picture.php?albumid=396&pictureid=5058

[AlteredRacer]

whoa, how much did that run???????

[Diabolical]

Their standard units are just under 400 bucks..

[AlteredRacer]

Their standard units are just under 400 bucks..

Thats less then I thought. I paid 370 for my aluminum hub ati, so 400 is not really too bad, nice looking balancer

[sevenseven]

Wow that thing is shiny!

[Diabolical]

Its here.. And its nice!!
Now to get it on the motor :)
After I polish it.. lol

http://www.s10racer.com/board/picture.php?albumid=403&pictureid=5113

http://www.s10racer.com/board/picture.php?albumid=403&pictureid=5112

http://www.s10racer.com/board/picture.php?albumid=403&pictureid=5111

http://www.s10racer.com/board/picture.php?albumid=403&pictureid=5110

[406shark]

Looks very nice...

I hope they sent the shirt and hat for the free. Hmmm Dagger t-shirts and hats...:stirpot: :laughoutloud:

I'm hoping to see it in person come March.


Jeff

[Diabolical]

Hey!!! :)

[AlteredRacer]

Damn it Mike, why's it not purple??????????

[Proshot]

Nice!
looks Hi tech :bling: