Drag Racing Tech - what harmonic balancers are people using?

Theres a lot of different price ranges on them, $20 for used stockers, $150, Summit house brand to $200ish TCI brand to $380 ATI ones. For the most part im trying to be somewhat realistic here and trying to get my car finished without buying John Force parts that is over kill. Thought about buying a stocker now to get my motor finished and upgrade later on down the road or buy a mid grade one now and use it even later down the road. Dont think i need a fluid damper....or do i? Is this a perticular part i can go middle of the road and be fine? Whats everyone else using and how does it work? I only plan on spinning to 6500rpm-ish so no 7k pulls for me.

You'll prolly get a bunch of different answers as what is used and which is best.

Personally, I went w/the ATI Super damper on my new motor. It has a good track record.

Harmonic frequency vibration isn't your friend whether you're spinning to 8500 or 6800.
You've already spent a good chunk of cheese on a new build, don't skimp on the balancer..... get the best you can afford.

ATI.


carefull when ordering, they suggest a different rubber on a race motor, though I tihnk a bunch of guys on here use the stock rubber that is offered.

i went with the summit. it seems to be a quality piece

keep in mind, per NHRA rules, 10.99 or faster you are to have an SFI approved one. I believe ATI is the only one with an SFI rating? I could be wrong on that, not sure.

Get the ATI, I didn't the first time and will end up having to soon.

ATI for sure

I have an ATI on mine

I have the TCI one, it has an SFI stamp on it.

keep in mind, per NHRA rules, 10.99 or faster you are to have an SFI approved one. I believe ATI is the only one with an SFI rating? I could be wrong on that, not sure.

the summit pulley is sfi approved. that is what i will be running, but have not tested it past 6k yet.

I have the ATI SuperDamper on mine...ATI will recommend different rubber, and the largest possible diameter for race engines. I had to go with a 6" due to the GMPP dist. cover
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/LSWon02Z28/IMG00014-20090709-2013.jpg

WHat ever you get, make sure it has a SFI rating that meets your ET requirements and ATI is a great piece.

ATI is the one to get. Just make sure you get the one for your application (rpm's, engine stroke length, etc). I don't know about the ls1 balancers, but for a gen 1 smallblock they have different diameter and different elastomer o-rings in them for different applications.

ATI here.

Ati...

W2W back in the day did a test on this with some big $$$$ behind it the sensor they used to test the balancers on a engine cost over 100k and the ATI by far was the best one

man i have a slp underdrive on my car, but after reading this thread i may sell it and buy an ati...

i was told by ati that anything over 600 crank hp must also use the stock diameter pulley.
the 10 or 25% underdriven will not cope with harmonics well in higher hp engines.

I use only ATI.