harmonic balancer - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

oldman14ss · 09-25-2022, 07:38 AM

my next modification for this winter will be a new balancer. im limited in knowledge of these. parameters are i run on the street longevity is a concern plus performance. any suggestions will be appriciated. price is somewhat of a concern, but not so much a deal breaker. just like you guys. im looking for the best bang for my buck. no power adders just NA. headers cold air etc. looking to keep her smoove at all rmp's i remember back in the 70's in the army i was riding in a gi's 70 rs he got on it and i watched his harmonic balancer fly down the street in front of us. i'll go with arp bolt and possibly pin the balancer to the crank if nessesary. all input and experience is greatly appriciated, the oldman.........

morepowerjoe · 09-25-2022, 08:15 AM

I can't speak of in terms of experience, but I did just buy a Fluid Dynamics balancer buy have not installed it yet. It seems to be one of the best ones out there.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLU-760111

ariZona28 · 09-25-2022, 10:48 AM

Are you thinking about doing this as preventive maintenance or are you seeing some "wobble" that causes you alarm? If you're going to be in that area for a cam, timing chain, or oil pump upgrade I'd say definitely change/improve your balancer but otherwise I'd put this in the "it ain't broke, don't fix it" dept. That balancer is held on by a large bolt torqued to 240 ft-lbs. It's not gonna fall off anytime soon.

Black_SS10 · 09-25-2022, 05:12 PM

I ran an ATI balancer N/A and running the same one F/I. We only do ATI at the shop. Nothing against Fluidamper.

CamaroCracka · 09-26-2022, 06:06 AM

You only need to pin the crank if you are running a blower, and even then it's a choice. I run the Innovators West which is a bit more expensive and if you let anyone work on your car, make sure they understand how to take it off. I had someone try to use a two jaw puller which did a little damage to the outer appearance. All fixed now, but not something I enjoyed discovering while working on the car. Innovators is aluminum and lighter than stock. They also make underdrive and overdrive balancers.

oldman14ss · 09-26-2022, 10:59 AM

i was changing it just for piece of mind. thinking i would help with longevity of the balance of the motor. does the stock one keep the balance in check? not familiar with it. i mean if its ok not to replace ,ok. i was wondering about the benefits as compared to stock.

CamaroCracka · 09-26-2022, 11:36 AM

People change them because they are moving up in power level. Stock one will likely outlast the engine if you are not revving it high.

NOT A 45 · 09-26-2022, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman14ss

i was changing it just for piece of mind. thinking i would help with longevity of the balance of the motor. does the stock one keep the balance in check? not familiar with it. i mean if its ok not to replace ,ok. i was wondering about the benefits as compared to stock.

Lets clarify something....your engine is internally balanced. What we all refer to as a balancer is in reality a dampener. It's job is to dampen (absorb) the oscillations (flexing) of the crankshaft. It does nothing to balance your engine. That being said, your factory LS3 balancer will need replacing at some point. The rubber between the hub and outer pulley will deteriorate over time. In your case, I see no reason or advantage to upgrade to a performance balancer other than having something looking pretty hanging off the front of the engine! A factory balancer should serve you well. If it were me I'd put that money to use elsewhere.

09-25-2022, 07:38 AM	#1
oldman14ss Drives: 2014 1ss camaro Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: missouri Posts: 705	harmonic balancer my next modification for this winter will be a new balancer. im limited in knowledge of these. parameters are i run on the street longevity is a concern plus performance. any suggestions will be appriciated. price is somewhat of a concern, but not so much a deal breaker. just like you guys. im looking for the best bang for my buck. no power adders just NA. headers cold air etc. looking to keep her smoove at all rmp's i remember back in the 70's in the army i was riding in a gi's 70 rs he got on it and i watched his harmonic balancer fly down the street in front of us. i'll go with arp bolt and possibly pin the balancer to the crank if nessesary. all input and experience is greatly appriciated, the oldman.........

09-25-2022, 08:15 AM	#2
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,162	I can't speak of in terms of experience, but I did just buy a Fluid Dynamics balancer buy have not installed it yet. It seems to be one of the best ones out there. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLU-760111 __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

09-25-2022, 10:48 AM	#3
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,289	Are you thinking about doing this as preventive maintenance or are you seeing some "wobble" that causes you alarm? If you're going to be in that area for a cam, timing chain, or oil pump upgrade I'd say definitely change/improve your balancer but otherwise I'd put this in the "it ain't broke, don't fix it" dept. That balancer is held on by a large bolt torqued to 240 ft-lbs. It's not gonna fall off anytime soon. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

09-25-2022, 05:12 PM	#4
Black_SS10 SomeguyK Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: FL Posts: 1,947	I ran an ATI balancer N/A and running the same one F/I. We only do ATI at the shop. Nothing against Fluidamper. __________________ TMS 427, Dart iron Block, Forged assembly, Frankenstien heads, AGP TT 62/62 BB turbo's, AGP/Fore triple fuel system, Tilton clutch, Holley 1 7/8 shorties, Technostalgia tail lights,Oracle, Aeroforce, MGW shifter,Flowmaster, Pegasus subframe bushings,BMR trailing & toe arms,Z28 UCA bushings,Zl1 rear sway bar,Prothane,BMR,Goodridge brake lines,Ridetech HQ coilovers,3.91,Trutrac,billet caps,DSS axles,HE offest,built TR6060,1LE diffuser,Havoc spoiler,SSclones,20in MRR 017, Pirelli P Zero, Nitto NT555RII More to come.

09-26-2022, 06:06 AM	#5
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,791	You only need to pin the crank if you are running a blower, and even then it's a choice. I run the Innovators West which is a bit more expensive and if you let anyone work on your car, make sure they understand how to take it off. I had someone try to use a two jaw puller which did a little damage to the outer appearance. All fixed now, but not something I enjoyed discovering while working on the car. Innovators is aluminum and lighter than stock. They also make underdrive and overdrive balancers. __________________ 2010 SS - Kind of an On3 kit, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

09-26-2022, 10:59 AM	#6
oldman14ss Drives: 2014 1ss camaro Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: missouri Posts: 705	i was changing it just for piece of mind. thinking i would help with longevity of the balance of the motor. does the stock one keep the balance in check? not familiar with it. i mean if its ok not to replace ,ok. i was wondering about the benefits as compared to stock.

09-26-2022, 11:36 AM	#7
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,791	People change them because they are moving up in power level. Stock one will likely outlast the engine if you are not revving it high. __________________ 2010 SS - Kind of an On3 kit, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.