Need to Replace Balancer / Damper... What Brand??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Sherman Texas
Need to Replace Balancer / Damper... What Brand??
Well, I finally broke down and bought a 2000 C5 
Six speed. Now I am in the process of fixin' some small issues. My factory harmonic balancer has the wobble issue, and I would love to hear some input from the forum on the types / brands that have been used. I'm kinda leaning towards a Fluidampr, but I wanna make sure. Any input is greatly appreciated...
Thanks in advance.,
Chris
Six speed. Now I am in the process of fixin' some small issues. My factory harmonic balancer has the wobble issue, and I would love to hear some input from the forum on the types / brands that have been used. I'm kinda leaning towards a Fluidampr, but I wanna make sure. Any input is greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance.,
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I'm runnnig an ATI super damper... I installed it during my cam swap. It's pricey at $440, but the car is noticeably smoother especially when slowly bringing the car up in rpm. I feel far less vibration in my feet (pedals) and shifter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
Well, I finally broke down and bought a 2000 C5 Six speed. Now I am in the process of fixin' some small issues. My factory harmonic balancer has the wobble issue, and I would love to hear some input from the forum on the types / brands that have been used. I'm kinda leaning towards a Fluidampr, but I wanna make sure. Any input is greatly appreciated...
Thanks in advance.,
Chris
Six speed. Now I am in the process of fixin' some small issues. My factory harmonic balancer has the wobble issue, and I would love to hear some input from the forum on the types / brands that have been used. I'm kinda leaning towards a Fluidampr, but I wanna make sure. Any input is greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance.,
Chris
Hammer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
Chris, I think you get what you pay for, and both the Fluid and ATI should be great pieces.
That being said, I went for the ASP damper at approx $200. I don't drive too hard, and only hit 6000 maybe once a month, so I figured it should be at least as reliable as the stocker.
Love the 20% reduction, no downside at all on a stick shift car.
Also, my ASP is absolutely smooth, zero discernable wobble at idle (but it's about as butt-ugly as the stocker, not near as cool as the more expensive units). And it probably doesn't smooth the vibrations as well, but I noticed no issues there.
So, you pays your money and makes your choice, I guess.
Happy so far, about 5k miles.
DG
That being said, I went for the ASP damper at approx $200. I don't drive too hard, and only hit 6000 maybe once a month, so I figured it should be at least as reliable as the stocker.
Love the 20% reduction, no downside at all on a stick shift car.
Also, my ASP is absolutely smooth, zero discernable wobble at idle (but it's about as butt-ugly as the stocker, not near as cool as the more expensive units). And it probably doesn't smooth the vibrations as well, but I noticed no issues there.
So, you pays your money and makes your choice, I guess.
Happy so far, about 5k miles.
DG
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas
Powerbond underdrive pulley for about $200 a couple of years ago. I think Powerbond makes the ASP, or vice versa. I pinned the crank using A&A's kit, and I have about 3K miles on the pulley with no problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
I notice quite a few posts on the forum regarding Harmonic Balancer failures. I have had several new Corvettes in my lifetime - most with about 100,000 miles when I sold them and I have never had a Harmonic Balancer go bad on any car in over 40 years of driving. Is this a C5 issue or are some people just pushing these engines to the max?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas
I noticed mine wobbling a couple of years ago while I was under the hood for something else. I looked on the forum and saw statements ranging from, "forget it, they all do it" to "I lost an engine over it." I needed a project at the time and decided to replace. I also wound up with cam, heads and headers before my little pulley project was done. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 3
From: NW Chicago, IL/Clearwater Beach, FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 3
From: NW Chicago, IL/Clearwater Beach, FL
