harmonic balancer purchase advice needed.

HISSIN50 · Feb 22, 2004

hello folks. the 88 GT needs a new harmonic balancer. i know many of you are more hardcore than i. i seldom rev over 3K, so i really dont think i need an SFI balancer, as is so often recommended (unless you know of where i can get one cheap).
i want something of decent quality that will hold up well, at a decent price.

i would appreciate advice on what brands you like, what they cost and where you got them.
for instance, i was lookin at the Professional Products balancer that Latemodel sells (page 91 in catalog. link wont work). good for 6500 rpm, 80 bucks.

what do you all think (i havent looked to see if i can find it for less elsewhere)?

and is there only one choice for the spacer needed for our cars. i called one place today and they said i had to remove the old balancer and measure. sounded like a big smooch ("kiss me") to me.

thanks so much for you advice. im hoping to order Sunday or Monday at the latest. many thanks again.

SmockDoiley · Feb 22, 2004

Places like the mustang depot sell cheap SFI balancers for less than a hundred. The unit I got is chrome plated, SFI approved, made from CAT, and it didnt require any measuring or spacers. It was like 95 bucks. The aftermarket stuff can often be cheaper than the parts store. Kragen wanted like $120 for a stock one that was only good to 4500 rpm. Screw that.

SmockDoiley · Feb 22, 2004

The one you are talking about in Latemodel looks good to me. I say go for it.

sn9550 · Feb 22, 2004

Smmit or Jegs also sell them. There is quite a few to choose from.

cardudeusa · Feb 22, 2004

I got just the parts store replacement, like $80 from Advance.

Tstang90 · Feb 22, 2004

if your ever gonna build the car up buy a good one now. Romac is a good piece. Needs no shims or washers either.

HISSIN50 · Feb 22, 2004

thanks all for the replies. i did read 8 pages of threads last night (search).
Smock Doiley, i think you had recommended Mustang Depot in other threads (if not you, than someone else). edit: i sent you a pm.

if i ever build the motor, i may internally balance it, so i wont worry about that for now (but good thinking. that is how i do think).

most of the threads on this are about the SFI units. the thing i liked about the LRS balancer is that it looks like it is plug and play (no shims, weights, shaving of other components to deal with). i think the same is true for Pioneer/Powerbond SFI's (dont know about the non-SFI units of the same brand). i found a pioneer 3021 (non SFI) for 70 bucks.i really dont want to play with shims, etc. i like the idea of one piece, made specifically for the application. any thoughts?

i just want something decent. there are many folks whom have gotten a balancer only to have it fail a month or two later. i dont know if they had something designed for a max of 4500 rpm and were hanging at redline a lot, or if the balancer was a POS. when people complain about a part, i often wish they would detail how they drive and what part of the rev range they were in most of the time (if racing, i would expect most non-SFI units to fail at high rpms).

i know that Jegs, Summit etc, all sell balancers. they tend to be quite pricey. hoping you guys have the insight for good deals (i have found some smokin deals from links you guys provide in here).
thanks so much for the replies. more feedback and experience is very much appreciated.

SmockDoiley · Feb 22, 2004

Yeah, for you I wouldnt recommend the Summit stuff cause they want an arm and a leg. I hear what you want, and that sounds like a good plan; something better than stock but not designed for 10K rpm race cars. I think the one you found on 5.0resto.com would be a great piece and a good deal.

HISSIN50 · Feb 22, 2004

SmockDoiley said:
Yeah, for you I wouldnt recommend the Summit stuff cause they want an arm and a leg. I hear what you want, and that sounds like a good plan; something better than stock but not designed for 10K rpm race cars. I think the one you found on 5.0resto.com would be a great piece and a good deal.

actually i think you convinced me to try the one you got. i found one at TMD and it looks good to me. should hold up better than the one from LRS, i would think. if you think otherwise, lemme know (i shot you a PM earlier). even if you agree, lemme know (make me feel better about ordering it). LOL.
thanks a bunch.

edit: forgot to ask: since i beating dead horses....it sounds like fluid dampners are not real desireable. does this sound right or is there a reason to use one over an elastomer balancer?
thanks so much.

Blandnuts · Apr 18, 2005

What balancer did you get? How much and where from?

Fred

HISSIN50 · Apr 18, 2005

Fred, imagine my surprise to see a thread by me on the first page (though i have not posted one in some time. LOL).

I ended up getting a no name SFI unit. it works. what i would recommend at this point (after tons more research):

the PP street unit from LRS is a good unit. i would have gotten it except it was backordered for a bit at that time. 70-80 bucks - should include the shim that other places can gouge you for.

the Pioneer street unit (3021, IIRC) is a nice piece - around 100 bucks - avl at some parts stores (Advanced or DAP maybe? it is a at a chain that is not local to me, but others have said it is stocked).

Strokermotors has some decent prices as i recall also. i was lookin at Pioneers there.

i have also read of late (but not checked) that people are getting new Romacs off ebay for 150 bucks! they were over 300 when i was looking. again, this is just what i have seen in reading threads - i have not actually looked.

good luck with the choice.

Blandnuts · Apr 18, 2005

My friend bought one from Strokermotors for $165 SFI. I also just found a guy selling romacs for $199 off ebay. I'm thinking about sticking with the Romac since that's the one I already have, but hopefully my old one can be repaired. Anyways, thanks.

Fred

2000xp8 · Apr 18, 2005

Ford motorsport dealers sell real ford stock replacements for $80. Downs Ford motorsport by me has them.

www.downsford.com

BTW, if you try and buy it from a regular ford dealer that is a non motorsport dealer, it will likely cost you way more.

frcefedlx · Apr 18, 2005

I just bought the Pro. Products one through 5.0 Restoration. It does come with a spacer but it seems decent for the money. I to did not want to drop cash for the SFI model as I dont rev past 5800 and see no need for it on a street car with very little track time. I can say its alot better than stock and has a top shelf look to it.

Stang8URMPRT · Apr 19, 2005

I had a JEGs SFI 18.1 on my last car... it was awesome, tested up to 12,500 rpm (lol)... It was a nice piece... But cost me 270 bucks...

Insane3D · Apr 19, 2005

The non SFI Pioneer can be had @ Advance for under $60...

harmonic balancer purchase advice needed.

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