Need advice on best Balancer

-
fastnos

fastnos

Jack of all trades, Master of none!
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2006
Messages
516
Reaction score
157
Location
Jasper/ Indiana
Putting together a 416 internally balanced 340. Been looking at what available, and want to hear opinions, success stories, and failures. What works, what doesn't.
Will be inside trailer 8 months out of the year, the rest of the time a street/strip fun car. Might see 7 grand a few times...on purpose!
 
Last edited:
I've never used one, but a lot of high end guys talk about Innovators West being very good.
 
fastnos said:
Bought a scat crank thru Mancini's. Actually, a whole stroker kit together.
Click to expand...
Tom at Scat will recommend the best elastomer damper you can afford. That’s what he said when I talked to him. I used an ATI super damper on my scat forged BBC twin turbo deal and he was happy with it.
3ED75F42-5A19-44C6-BD58-EBCC1AC17843.png
 
There are only three dampers I run. None of them are rubber band (elastomer) types.

Why you ask? Because they have the most narrow dampening range of all of them.

It’s fine if you are running a very narrow rpm range, but if you want the most effective dampening across the useable rpm range then a rubber band damper ain’t it.

Plus if you are buying an elastomer damper, ask them at what rpm range and what bob weight it’s tuned for.

They will say “it’s tuned for best average” or “it didn’t really matter”. I had that argument with ATI in the mid 1980’s when the tech guy tried to tell me his off the shelf damper was tuned for a 4 inch stroke at 6500 and a 3.313 stroke at 8500 with aluminum rods.

That’s straight horse **** right there.

I use in no particular order:

Innovators West
TCO Rattler if you can get one and if you don’t mind every slap dick no it all bubble gummer whiz bang in gym shorts telling you your engine is about to explode when you shut it off nonsense.
Fluidamper

I’ve tested the Fluidamper to 8500 short with a 4 speed and never cracked a crank and every now and then when I had a few extra bucks I’d shift it at 9k.

Even Chrysler tested the dampers and you can read about in the engine book.

Number of end users is not a good metric for how something works
 
TT5.9mag said:
Tom at Scat will recommend the best elastomer damper you can afford. That’s what he said when I talked to him. I used an ATI super damper on my scat forged BBC twin turbo deal and he was happy with it.
View attachment 1716382168
Click to expand...

I watched a webinar he did and he didn’t suggest an elastomer damper that wasn’t bonded.

He only likes bonded dampers.

I disagree with him on both counts.
 
TT5.9mag said:
Tom at Scat will recommend the best elastomer damper you can afford. That’s what he said when I talked to him. I used an ATI super damper on my scat forged BBC twin turbo deal and he was happy with it.
View attachment 1716382168
Click to expand...
I'm leaning towards ATI right now. I don't want to get one, that is known for failing or destroys itself at higher rpms. Haven't heard anyone really single out 1 particular type that fails yet. Thanks for imput!
 
I had fitment issues using the trick flow balancer where it needed spacers or it would would contact the timing cover.
I have used both the summit brand SFI and non-SFI and has no issues with either regarding fitment.
I can't speak to elastomeric vs other styles
 
Newbomb Turk said:
I watched a webinar he did and he didn’t suggest an elastomer damper that wasn’t bonded.

He only likes bonded dampers.

I disagree with him on both counts.
Click to expand...
I’ve read a bunch of what you’ve written on balancers and have done probably 1/8th of the research. I don’t disagree with what you’re saying at all. If I was building a road racing car with a powerband of 2000-9000 I’d make a different choice than I do for a street car or my boat. The twin turbo big block runs at either idle or 5900 with how I have it impellered and Tom was certain the ATI would handle it. And it makes big time power. Street car stuff 1000-6000rpm you can throw just about anything on under 600hp and be just fine.
 
Last edited:
Newbomb Turk said:
There are only three dampers I run. None of them are rubber band (elastomer) types.

Why you ask? Because they have the most narrow dampening range of all of them.

It’s fine if you are running a very narrow rpm range, but if you want the most effective dampening across the useable rpm range then a rubber band damper ain’t it.

Plus if you are buying an elastomer damper, ask them at what rpm range and what bob weight it’s tuned for.

They will say “it’s tuned for best average” or “it didn’t really matter”. I had that argument with ATI in the mid 1980’s when the tech guy tried to tell me his off the shelf damper was tuned for a 4 inch stroke at 6500 and a 3.313 stroke at 8500 with aluminum rods.

That’s straight horse **** right there.

I use in no particular order:

Innovators West
TCO Rattler if you can get one and if you don’t mind every slap dick no it all bubble gummer whiz bang in gym shorts telling you your engine is about to explode when you shut it off nonsense.
Fluidamper

I’ve tested the Fluidamper to 8500 short with a 4 speed and never cracked a crank and every now and then when I had a few extra bucks I’d shift it at 9k.

Even Chrysler tested the dampers and you can read about in the engine book.

Number of end users is not a good metric for how something works
Click to expand...
I've used 1 fluid dampener before, and the rest were factory. Just didn't want to end up with 1 kind known for problems. ( kinda like certain aftermarket cranks that break after the #2 throw..)
 
The offshore brands I've bought needed quite a bit of honing. Better than being to loose I guess, but just an fyi. I've been really happy with Dayco/Powerbond balancers. Pretty high quality units recommended by a couple machinists I know. They're lighter than a lot of others too.
 
Scody21 said:
Well we’re putting a custom innovators west on a turbo BMW M12 1,800cc that will make 1,000+ HP and spin past 10k rpm….
Click to expand...
That's over 9 horsepower per cubic inch, 1800cc is 109.5 cubic inches. Sounds like you have your M12 built to the hill.
 
TT5.9mag said:
I’ve read a bunch of what you’ve written on balancers and have done probably 1/8th of the research. I don’t disagree with what you’re saying at all. If I was building a road racing car with a powerband of 2000-9000 I’d make a different choice than I do for a street car or my boat. The twin turbo big block runs at either idle or 5900 with how I have it impellered and Tom was certain the ATI would handle it. And it makes big time power. Street car stuff 1000-6000rpm you can throw just about anything on under 600hp and be just fine.
Click to expand...


Exactly why I asked the OP to define best because of the three I mentioned I would pick a different one depending on use.

We have yet to get his definition.
 
92b said:
Hope this helps.

Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more





best

adjective
  1. of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type or quality.
    "the best pitcher in the league"











    Similar:
    finest


    greatest


    top


    foremost
Click to expand...


No ****? I’m asking the app what HIS definition of best is.

I know what the definition of the word is smart guy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top