Flywheel balancing?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Flywheel balancing?
I'm just full of questions, today. Okay, let's talk about the LT1 and the OEM dual mass flywheel and changing to a Fidanza dual mass aluminum flywheel. Fidanza says to bring the flywheels to a machine shop and have them match balance the Fidanza wheel to the OEM wheel. First of all, I haven't found a machine shop that does this and, second, has anybody done this?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
you do have to do something....
the flywheel is the other half of the balance matching that goes with the internal balancing of the LT1.
if you don't do this, it will vibrate... badly.
keep looking... you may have to ship them somewhere. check with you local hotrod shops, see who they use... there must be a "race" shop somewhere near.
the flywheel is the other half of the balance matching that goes with the internal balancing of the LT1.
if you don't do this, it will vibrate... badly.
keep looking... you may have to ship them somewhere. check with you local hotrod shops, see who they use... there must be a "race" shop somewhere near.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Flywheel balancing? (bogus)
... you may have to ship them somewhere. check with you local hotrod shops, see who they use... there must be a "race" shop somewhere near.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Norcross GA
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
Typically the whole rotating assy gets balanced. i.e. All seperate pices get balanced to each other. Trying to match one flywheel's balance to another,... Have not heard of this being done before. Could maybe do a static balance.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
As I understand it, you balance the new flywheel to match the balance of the existing flywheel...
it's a pain, but I have been told it can be done... I just don't know how.
it's a pain, but I have been told it can be done... I just don't know how.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
The assumption is that the OEM flywheel is not neutral balance ,as in it has a "inbalance" to neutralize the inbalance in the engine from the factory.
You have to get your new flywheel (which is probably neutral at the moment)
machined to duplicate this and maintain the overall neutral balance the factory set up.
All the shop has to do is spin your OEM flywheel up and note how far out it is at what point in relation to the crank dowel.Then machine your new one to the same setting.As stated ,just like balancing a tyre.
You have to get your new flywheel (which is probably neutral at the moment)
machined to duplicate this and maintain the overall neutral balance the factory set up.
All the shop has to do is spin your OEM flywheel up and note how far out it is at what point in relation to the crank dowel.Then machine your new one to the same setting.As stated ,just like balancing a tyre.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Flywheel balancing? (rodj)
The assumption is that the OEM flywheel is not neutral balance ,as in it has a "inbalance" to neutralize the inbalance in the engine from the factory.
You have to get your new flywheel (which is probably neutral at the moment)
machined to duplicate this and maintain the overall neutral balance the factory set up.
All the shop has to do is spin your OEM flywheel up and note how far out it is at what point in relation to the crank dowel.Then machine your new one to the same setting.As stated ,just like balancing a tyre.
You have to get your new flywheel (which is probably neutral at the moment)
machined to duplicate this and maintain the overall neutral balance the factory set up.
All the shop has to do is spin your OEM flywheel up and note how far out it is at what point in relation to the crank dowel.Then machine your new one to the same setting.As stated ,just like balancing a tyre.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 0
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
The LT1 is internally balanced. Just get the flywheel nuetrally balanced. The only time a flywheel is not nuetral is when you motor is effed for its extenrally balanced :)
[Modified by TreyZ28, 6:44 AM 12/4/2003]
[Modified by TreyZ28, 6:44 AM 12/4/2003]
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Flywheel balancing? (TreyZ28)
Hey Trey, I think the LT1 is balanced at the factory by means of adding weights to the flywheel to balance the rotating mass of the engine. Like we said, like balancing a tire. Some of the guys here (on the CF) that have rebuilt their engines have gone to the internal balancing, hence, neutral flywheels. Thanks for the comeback, Trey. :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
I'm almost certain the LT1 is internaly balanced stock :confused:
just because it has a mass added to the flywheel does not meen its not nuetral.
At work, practically all of our driveshafts, cranks act have masses added to them (but then again, we are VERY VERY precise, more than the average car has to be)
My nuetrally balanced flexplate had a mass welded to it, both did and so did the stocker....
hopefully someone can give a difinitive answer :cheers:
[Modified by TreyZ28, 9:02 AM 12/4/2003]
just because it has a mass added to the flywheel does not meen its not nuetral.
At work, practically all of our driveshafts, cranks act have masses added to them (but then again, we are VERY VERY precise, more than the average car has to be)
My nuetrally balanced flexplate had a mass welded to it, both did and so did the stocker....
hopefully someone can give a difinitive answer :cheers:
[Modified by TreyZ28, 9:02 AM 12/4/2003]
Le Mans Master
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: Flywheel balancing? (TreyZ28)
The LT1 is most certainly NOT internally balanced. There is a counterweight on stock LT1 flywheels that is used for balancing. Generally when you get a new OEM flywheel you just make sure the weights are in the same place on the new flywheel.
FWIW, even if they say it is neutral balanced, it is most likely not. I had my "neutral balanced" setup from McCleod balanced and they had to take of 45 grams to get it truely "neutral" balanced. 10 grams was from the pressure plate.
There are shops that can match the balance of one flywheel to another so keep searching.
FWIW, even if they say it is neutral balanced, it is most likely not. I had my "neutral balanced" setup from McCleod balanced and they had to take of 45 grams to get it truely "neutral" balanced. 10 grams was from the pressure plate.
There are shops that can match the balance of one flywheel to another so keep searching.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Portland Oregon
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
Yes it is easily done by any competent engine or machine shop. I have a machine shop here that can match balance any peice of equipment. Yes while it is good to balance everything as an assembly its not necessary if you are replacing one part of tha assembly. For instance the balancer on the front of the engine is nuetral balanced, it can be replaced with another unit that has been neutral balanced.
Now the flywheel is different it does have a counterweight on it, and if that isn't the same on your new flywheel its going to vibrate. If you take your old flywheel to amachine shop it can match balanced to the old flywheel, and your engine will be just as good as it was before.
Now the flywheel is different it does have a counterweight on it, and if that isn't the same on your new flywheel its going to vibrate. If you take your old flywheel to amachine shop it can match balanced to the old flywheel, and your engine will be just as good as it was before.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
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From: Northern CA
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Vette92)
There are shops that can match the balance of one flywheel to another so keep searching.
Why do they externally balance some engines?
Le Mans Master
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: Flywheel balancing? (xs650)
Why do they externally balance some engines?
Any tips on how to determine if a shop can really do that right as opposed to just sying they can do it and taking on the work?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Vette92)
Great replies, guys Thank you very much :cheers: I'm currently calling around and even have a note into one of the NSACAR shops. I'll let you know how it comes out. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
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From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Flywheel balancing? (Strick)
It should be easy Strick. I ran into the same issues when switched to a single mass set-up. -although mine is a L98-
I took my flywheels to a nearby machine shop that has balancing capabilities. I said "Here, match this one to this one" The next day I had this:
They just matched the amount of weight of the DM and welded a mass onto the SM in the same location and drilled it till it was the same. Within grams. The motor shook hard without it
:eek: :crazy: :smash:
[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 6:40 PM 12/4/2003]
I took my flywheels to a nearby machine shop that has balancing capabilities. I said "Here, match this one to this one" The next day I had this:
They just matched the amount of weight of the DM and welded a mass onto the SM in the same location and drilled it till it was the same. Within grams. The motor shook hard without it
:eek: :crazy: :smash:
[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 6:40 PM 12/4/2003]
