Harmonic Balancer
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 25
From: Tulsa OK
ATI Super Damper off Summit Racing. Since it is a critical part of the engine, I put it on my C5 even though I have no plans of super charging, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 356
From: Northville, MI
My car is an autocross HPDE one and I pinned the stock HB and it held up until I broke a lifter. The car live in the 4000-6000 rpm range so the OEM balancer held up. If you are DIY then get the aftermarket lifter unless you have degree attachment for your ratchet. ARP bolt is tightened to torque and OEM bolt is degree of stretch
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,859
Likes: 4,658
Aftermarket balancers may occasionally fail. However, I have never seen that happen and I would be willing to bet the OEM balancer has a higher failure rate than good aftermarket balancers. For reference I've run the same ASP 25% UD balancer on my LS7 engined C5 for nearly 20 years/80,000+ miles. It has outlasted 2 427 engines......
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 343
From: Long Island New York
I went with the Dayco/PowerBond PB1117N with good results, however if i were to do this again (I really dont)
I would have spent a little more and get the ATI or the Fluidampr just because I don't want to do that job again.
I would have spent a little more and get the ATI or the Fluidampr just because I don't want to do that job again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 4,279
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
X2 for the PowerBond. All of these, except Fluid Damper and TCI Rattler, use an elastomer, even ATI. The ATI and Summit are SFI safety rated for racing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 1,658
From: North Coast
The SFI standard is highly regulated and shows the balancer will hold up to more than you will ever throw at it.
The ATI and Summit balancers are the gold standard.
The choice of the market generally is the Summit balancer with most LS builders. They are bullet proof and much less expensive vs the ATI.
Anything MFG can fail but with the racing SFI rating it shows the higher standard of mfg for RPMs you will never see on the street.
The ATI and Summit balancers are the gold standard.
The choice of the market generally is the Summit balancer with most LS builders. They are bullet proof and much less expensive vs the ATI.
Anything MFG can fail but with the racing SFI rating it shows the higher standard of mfg for RPMs you will never see on the street.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati OH
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 4,279
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I put in whatever Amazon ACDelco was selling. It's been fine for 5 years so far. Not a race car.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049Z6VQE...d_asin_title_1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049Z6VQE...d_asin_title_1
Where I parted ways on the GM dampener was recognizing the damage that could occur upon failure. Also, better and affordable replacements parts are available unlike other components, like a water pump for example.
Most importantly, is that changing out the GM part has the implied requirement to swap the cam “while you’re in there”. So there’s that, lol.
Last edited by vette4fl; Mar 31, 2025 at 01:24 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 5
From: Rockville, MD
My 2000 C5 with 67K mostly weekend miles started the famous wobble of the stock HD now more than 25 years old. I replaced it with ATI Super and it was also pinned. Car runs so much smoother now. Previously had a vibration at 1200 rpm through 2000 rpm on every shift, very irritating, and now completely smooth over the entire rpm spectrum. Very happy. And no wobble now!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,859
Likes: 4,658
Hey, I get it. For example, if the original GM water pump gave up, I would install a new GM water pump. The GM dampeners have lasted for years and years, and in many, perhaps most, cases never failed.
Where I parted ways on the GM dampener was recognizing the damage that could occur upon failure. Also, better and affordable replacements parts are available unlike other components, like a water pump for example.
Most importantly, is that changing out the GM part has the implied requirement to swap the cam “while you’re in there”. So there’s that, lol.
Where I parted ways on the GM dampener was recognizing the damage that could occur upon failure. Also, better and affordable replacements parts are available unlike other components, like a water pump for example.
Most importantly, is that changing out the GM part has the implied requirement to swap the cam “while you’re in there”. So there’s that, lol.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
