Fluidampr--Do I really need one...

...or is a standard conventional harmonic balancer good enough?...

 

i have heard that an aftermarket one harmonid balancer is just fine... the cheapest one i have found, and not purchasd yet, was about 78 bucks.... the fluiddampners should be used in racing apps... if i had the money i might spend the 200-400 bucks for one... but like i said... i found one a while ago for about 80 bucks... on ebay i think it was.... the link is at my pc at home... i can get the link some time..

i do need a new balancer one day. mine is old and i think it has slipped a little

 

stock will be fine for your application.


If you plan on spinning the motor way upstairs..then aftermarket/performance damps are good choice. I spun the 306 above 7 grand on a stock damp with no trouble.....street car/cruiser....not neccessary.

 

Street use and weekend warrior stock is just fine!!!

 

as long as your stock dampner is in good condition,as in no visible cracks in the rubber , or other defects. run it, put your money elseware. I've also spun the stock ones over 7 on occasion with issues....not saying it couldnt have happened tho.

 

Stock is more than fine. Any well balanced engine should do fine with a stocker.

 

I had my stock one rebuilt when I had the engine balanced. Spins over 7k no problem (yet!)

 

Even though my engine is internally balanced, I was advised by my engine builder to get Ford Racing Product's DAMPER (weights removed).

Just another $250 that I wasn't planning on spending.

 

The stock should do just fine....if you do have to buy one, I would consider the upgrade

 

Thanks for all the replies...

 

most of the engines we use are how old? including oem dampers. anyone whose motor is going much over 6000 rpm should really think about an aftermarket damper.

when an oem one comes apart it can damage the car and maybe someone standing in the wrong place.
if old & dry it does a poor job of absorbing the harmonics that can damage engines.
a high performance damper, like an ati, can actually increase power when properly matched to the rotating assembly.

jmho

 

My issue is/was, with an externaly balanced motor I can not just go and slap a new damper on w/o affecting the balance work.

 

the balance shop can match weight it. just like if you get a new flexplate/flywheel.

 

I read the question as what to buy....not can I use my old one
If the question was, can I use my old one...then I would say buy a new stock replacement.

 

Well, I was going to use the old 30+ year-old damper, but decided that it's probably not a good idea, so I'm going to replace it. The main question was; is replacing it with a stock-type damper sufficient, or is a Fluidampr really worth the cost on a street motor (?). So far, most of you (who replied) think that a stock type is fine for my application...