Harmonic Dampers
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Harmonic Dampers
So I have a fluidampr, but I was reading the SCAT catalog and they seem fairly adamant about not using fluid type dampers.
So what is the real deal?
So what is the real deal?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,348
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From: Seattle Area WA
Some of the bracket racers I know say the Fluidampers are only good for about 1-2 years. They only use ATI's.
For a street car, just use a high quality unit like a stock GM nodular iron or Pioneer Nodular iron piece.
For a street car, just use a high quality unit like a stock GM nodular iron or Pioneer Nodular iron piece.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I went back through the archives researching this problem for my own engine. The consensus seems to be that for the street, a bigger heavier damper is better. I got a Pioneer 8", 10lbs.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I am building a forced induction motor, does that change anything?
What is it about fluidamprs that fail?
What is it about fluidamprs that fail?
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Racer
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From: In the shop most of the time,,, And it BEER TIME somewhere
I have had a Fluidamper for 10 years, no problems. Its been to 8000 rpm many many times. Also, someone said he didnt think you can balance an engine with a fluid style balancer on. I think you can. They are not liquid filled, but have what they call a rubber elastometer[I think] in them, But might not sell very good if that is what you called it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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I have not owned a fluidamper on a car. but I have put millons of
miles on diesel truck engines they have fluid dampers on them.
I have a hard time believing one would fail on a car.
miles on diesel truck engines they have fluid dampers on them.
I have a hard time believing one would fail on a car.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Mar 2, 2007 at 02:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
The Fluid dampers are neutral balanced therefore do not require balancing like a stock balancer does. You cannot balance a Fluidamper. Balance the motor without it and put it on and forget about it. It works. There are others out there that work just as well but I can't figure why Scat would say not to use them. Unless they build or sell one of the other dampers.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
The Fluid dampers are neutral balanced therefore do not require balancing like a stock balancer does. You cannot balance a Fluidamper. Balance the motor without it and put it on and forget about it. It works. There are others out there that work just as well but I can't figure why Scat would say not to use them. Unless they build or sell one of the other dampers.
Everything I can find says balance it with a stock damper and then put on the fluidampr.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 723
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From: North Port, FL
I don't personally have any experience with fluid dampers but my machinest who builds a lot of racing engines for the local circle track guys, won't use a fluid damper. He has experienced broken cranks that he attributed to the fluid damper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I agree that you don't want the fluid damper on the engine during balancing. They are nutral balanced from the factory unless you have an externally balanced engine, then they come with the counter weight which DOES need to be installed (ONLY the counter weight and not the whole damper).
