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Old 04-13-2012, 05:34 PM
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I need somebody who really knows about LS motors to tell me If i Need to balance My Rotating assembly.
I've got a Ls1 With a 5.3 crank going in it and I will be using my stock LS1 5.7 rods and pistons again.

Ive heard back an fourth about getting it balance or not but Im leaning more on not getting it balanced
because Im Just using stock Pistons and rods and i really don't see how/why it will need to be balanced.
Only thing I could think of is the 5.3 crank being just a little heavier but other than that the same as my ls1 crank.

Anyway, I need to talk to somebody who really knows what they are talking about not someone who is going by what they hear.

Please comment or PM me for Help.
Thanks.
Old 04-13-2012, 05:38 PM
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if you change either of the following components then your rotating assembly needs to be balanced: crankshaft, rods, pistons
Old 04-13-2012, 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 3rdCoastPowerSports
if you change either of the following components then your rotating assembly needs to be balanced: crankshaft, rods, pistons
Ok thanks , I didnt think it would be much of a deal
Old 04-14-2012, 12:14 AM
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Huge deal. Anytime you change anything in the rotating assembly, it needs balanced.
Old 04-14-2012, 12:23 AM
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Balance it....you are not talking .05 grams here and there, you are talking grams squared time piston speed, which just a very small percent of a gram here and here can shake and tear your engine apart
Old 04-14-2012, 11:33 AM
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Internally balanced.
Old 04-14-2012, 06:41 PM
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It doesn't take someone who "really know about ls engine" to know that if you're putting together an engine, especially if you are using different rods/pistons from original, to know that balancing an assembly is necessary, and especially if you plan on beating it.
Old 04-14-2012, 10:43 PM
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If you do not get it balanced your going to wear parts down prematurely. Example as it comes from the factory most internal parts are good until 150k with regular maintenance before your going to see signs of wear. Without balancing your looking at 20-50k same maintence schedule. These were just examples but you get the picture!
Old 04-15-2012, 10:09 PM
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Balance, no other option IMO
Old 04-16-2012, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by hcb1700
It doesn't take someone who "really know about ls engine" to know that if you're putting together an engine, especially if you are using different rods/pistons from original, to know that balancing an assembly is necessary, and especially if you plan on beating it.
Im using the original rods/pistons. But its too late now I already put it together so i guess ill have to find out for myself.
Old 04-16-2012, 07:22 PM
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lol why did you ask if it was together and you know youre not going to take it back apart?
Old 04-16-2012, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Whiteaw57
lol why did you ask if it was together and you know youre not going to take it back apart?
Well I didn't have it together when i first post the thread but after sitting around a while and comparing pistons&rods I said screw it..I'll just put it together to see what happens..I don't see it being as big of a deal as everyone saying it is because its stock rods and pistons, Im not going to be beating on it too bad plus im tired off waiting on my Slow *** machine shop to do everything, I bought the car with a knocking motor and haven't even had a chance to drive it.. its been sitting in the yard for 3 months and I'm Sick, Im ready to fire her up so I went ahead and Put it together Last weekend.
Guess i'll have to learn the hard way but you never learn until you try !
Old 04-16-2012, 09:17 PM
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I'd be rather careful what u do with that motor, as far as power levels and amount of rpm ur going to spin
Old 04-16-2012, 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by SmallBlock 383
Guess i'll have to learn the hard way but you never learn until you try !
hey its your motor. worst case scenario is violent vibrations @ certain RPM levels (which equals power loss) and an early FULL rebuild with LOTS of new parts. but hey **** it. You either learn through proper teaching and schooling or your learn through trial and error... either way, Learning cost money
Old 04-16-2012, 11:53 PM
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Makes sure you post pics if it blows.
Old 04-16-2012, 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by SmallBlock 383
Well I didn't have it together when i first post the thread but after sitting around a while and comparing pistons&rods I said screw it..I'll just put it together to see what happens..I don't see it being as big of a deal as everyone saying it is because its stock rods and pistons, Im not going to be beating on it too bad plus im tired off waiting on my Slow *** machine shop to do everything, I bought the car with a knocking motor and haven't even had a chance to drive it.. its been sitting in the yard for 3 months and I'm Sick, Im ready to fire her up so I went ahead and Put it together Last weekend.
Guess i'll have to learn the hard way but you never learn until you try !
I try and learn from the people who did it before me and save the 2 or 3 grand from blowing it up. Good luck really!
Old 04-17-2012, 12:02 AM
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These things aren't cheap to build, but good luck.
Old 04-17-2012, 01:02 AM
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It may or may not come apart (it most likely will)... but it will have terrible harmonics/resonances that will absorb a large amount power (so your FWHP will be way low, like 100-200 HP too low); the crank flexing with those large harmonics will break (may be sooner than later).

I think this will also cause external breakages, such as timing chain, pulley/damper, flexplate, transmission, other stuff.

And when the crank breaks, it takes the block with it, and anything else that can come along.

Can we paint a picture any bleaker than this...?
Old 04-17-2012, 01:53 AM
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You can't be bothered balancing an engine!!!! geeezzzz I even get my clutches balanced.
Old 04-17-2012, 02:05 AM
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Wow...gotta love it.

I bet your bearings are shot in about 1k miles. Eyeballing pistons and rods is not going to tell you the crank is balanced for pistons that are probably 100 grams lighter than the ls1 pistons.

But hey, its your engine. I'll be looking out for a blown engine thread in about a month or so.


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