Harmonic Balancer Replacement
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: Northeast Kansas
Harmonic Balancer Replacement
Hello all!
I recently purchase a 98 Vette and it needs the harmonic balancer replaced (I knew it needed replaced when I bought it
). I see some chatter recommending the Powerbond PB1117N and some others recommending the PB1117SS. Later down the road I plan to do some engine mods, but nothing crazy (cam, maybe heads, exhaust). Do I need to spend the extra $$ on the SS, or another SFI rated balancer, or is the PB1117N good enough?
I've also read some that the PB1117N has the same flaw as the OEM balancer and may fail again in the future. While the PB1117SS does not. Is this accurate? I'd rather do it once and be done.
Thanks in advance!
I recently purchase a 98 Vette and it needs the harmonic balancer replaced (I knew it needed replaced when I bought it
). I see some chatter recommending the Powerbond PB1117N and some others recommending the PB1117SS. Later down the road I plan to do some engine mods, but nothing crazy (cam, maybe heads, exhaust). Do I need to spend the extra $$ on the SS, or another SFI rated balancer, or is the PB1117N good enough? I've also read some that the PB1117N has the same flaw as the OEM balancer and may fail again in the future. While the PB1117SS does not. Is this accurate? I'd rather do it once and be done.
Thanks in advance!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,115
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I recently needed to replace mine as well in my 03, and I went with the PB1117N and it has been a perfect HB as far as I can see. 10.000 miles and No more wobbly and quiet. I picked this one as a replacement as I didn't hear or read anything negative about it, So. . . .
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: Northeast Kansas
Thanks Killain, I appreciate the response. I'm currently leaning towards the PB1117N with an ARP bolt and pin kit. From what I can tell, this should be a nice upgrade over OEM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 1,063
Summit Racing has a really good one, that many have used, it is SFI rated too.
Unfortunately it looks like tariff pricing has kicked in, it is quite a bit more expensive than it used to be, $237.99
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...KjPN51-Y_efpT4
Unfortunately it looks like tariff pricing has kicked in, it is quite a bit more expensive than it used to be, $237.99
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...KjPN51-Y_efpT4
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 775
Likes: 98
From: carroll ohio
I put the same power bond on my 97 in Feb of this year. seems ok so far. just get ready for the 240+ ft. lbs. of torque as it can put a strain on your back. just ask me how I know. I ended up using a torque multiplier on my breaker bar. was easy after that.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: Northeast Kansas
Thanks all for the responses. I ordered and installed the PB1117N and an ARP crank bolt. I decided not to pin the crank as I currently do not have any intention of boosting the car. If that ever changes, I can pin it while I swap the cam.
The install was smooth, most of the YouTube videos I watched suggested dropping the cradle to the last thread. However, I was able to rotate the steering rack and slide it most of the way out the passenger side, allowing enough clearance to pull the balancer.
The install was smooth, most of the YouTube videos I watched suggested dropping the cradle to the last thread. However, I was able to rotate the steering rack and slide it most of the way out the passenger side, allowing enough clearance to pull the balancer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,917
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
Thanks all for the responses. I ordered and installed the
and an ARP crank bolt. I decided not to pin the crank as I currently do not have any intention of boosting the car. If that ever changes, I can pin it while I swap the cam.
The install was smooth, most of the YouTube videos I watched suggested dropping the cradle to the last thread. However, I was able to rotate the steering rack and slide it most of the way out the passenger side, allowing enough clearance to pull the balancer.
and an ARP crank bolt. I decided not to pin the crank as I currently do not have any intention of boosting the car. If that ever changes, I can pin it while I swap the cam.
The install was smooth, most of the YouTube videos I watched suggested dropping the cradle to the last thread. However, I was able to rotate the steering rack and slide it most of the way out the passenger side, allowing enough clearance to pull the balancer.
Just watch if you keep the car. Paint a witness mark on the balancer as these can fail like the GM. The mark will let you know if it moves.
that is why I recommend the Summit as it is not a two piece unit. Fixed for life with them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,917
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
It is one piece because it is bolted together as one unit not one just stuck together with a rubber ring,.
The bottom line is it is not just relying on the rubber to hold it together as the bolt prevent it slipping, turning and wobbling.
In other words will not fail in the same way the factory one does.
You can nit pick things but it is the best for the money and they failure rate is near zero,
The bottom line is it is not just relying on the rubber to hold it together as the bolt prevent it slipping, turning and wobbling.
In other words will not fail in the same way the factory one does.
You can nit pick things but it is the best for the money and they failure rate is near zero,
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 1,063
It is one piece because it is bolted together as one unit not one just stuck together with a rubber ring,.
The bottom line is it is not just relying on the rubber to hold it together as the bolt prevent it slipping, turning and wobbling.
In other words will not fail in the same way the factory one does.
You can nit pick things but it is the best for the money and they failure rate is near zero,
The bottom line is it is not just relying on the rubber to hold it together as the bolt prevent it slipping, turning and wobbling.
In other words will not fail in the same way the factory one does.
You can nit pick things but it is the best for the money and they failure rate is near zero,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,917
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
Look Im not going to argue this I have a real life. The bottom line is they do not fail like a non bolted unit. It is the best unit for the money.
Like any SFI rated it is built to a better standard,
Like any SFI rated it is built to a better standard,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 1,581
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
All balancers are 2 pieces joined in some way by rubber to dampen the vibrations - except maybe Fluidampr.
Toys
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,917
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
Summit is ABSOLUTELY 2 pieces - you just cannot see the elastomer behind the screw in plate. Proof is in this video - I actually take the plate off so you can see.
All balancers are 2 pieces joined in some way by rubber to dampen the vibrations - except maybe Fluidampr.
https://youtu.be/ruCESs_UAUg
Toys
All balancers are 2 pieces joined in some way by rubber to dampen the vibrations - except maybe Fluidampr.
https://youtu.be/ruCESs_UAUg
Toys
Look the unit is several parts bolted as one and not just bonded This is why it seldom fails. I may have explained it poorly but the point is it is a bolted one unit vs just a ring held on with a rubber ring only.
What is better the SFI unit or the stock or PB non SFI unit? I know you know the correct answer here, If you use the Summit one it is one and done.
Last edited by hyperv6; Sep 7, 2025 at 10:54 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 1,325
From: Des Plaines, Il
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,682
Likes: 3,434
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I have been running a Summit underdrive balancer on track for about 4 years now without issue. Its a good piece.