Replacement Harmonic Balancer?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,949
Likes: 2,667
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Replacement Harmonic Balancer?
Our 2009 LS3 hasn't had any problems with the HB, but sooner or later...
There has been discssion that GM has a new part number for the HB but no one has said whether it's really a different/better part, or just a number change like GM sometimes does. Do you know?
If the "new" GM part isn't any better, I would probably pay for my own and have it installed when the old one starts to go bad. But who makes a replacement HB that:
Is not an underdrive unit
Uses the stock belt
Is like the original in every way, except not defective?
There has been discssion that GM has a new part number for the HB but no one has said whether it's really a different/better part, or just a number change like GM sometimes does. Do you know?
If the "new" GM part isn't any better, I would probably pay for my own and have it installed when the old one starts to go bad. But who makes a replacement HB that:
Is not an underdrive unit
Uses the stock belt
Is like the original in every way, except not defective?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Our 2009 LS3 hasn't had any problems with the HB, but sooner or later...
There has been discssion that GM has a new part number for the HB but no one has said whether it's really a different/better part, or just a number change like GM sometimes does. Do you know?
If the "new" GM part isn't any better, I would probably pay for my own and have it installed when the old one starts to go bad. But who makes a replacement HB that:
Is not an underdrive unit
Uses the stock belt
Is like the original in every way, except not defective?
There has been discssion that GM has a new part number for the HB but no one has said whether it's really a different/better part, or just a number change like GM sometimes does. Do you know?
If the "new" GM part isn't any better, I would probably pay for my own and have it installed when the old one starts to go bad. But who makes a replacement HB that:
Is not an underdrive unit
Uses the stock belt
Is like the original in every way, except not defective?
Isn't it funny that they have been known for using up all of the defective parts before correction the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Per LS14ME2-"Chris", who talked with Rich recently (and posted about it, 8/5/12) at Abel Chev., Rich says proper installation and torque of bolts will do the trick.* Per Ragtop99-"Joel", ATI is the way to go (also Gering "Pete"), but I don't know if they are NOT ud (underdrive), or make stock sizes---plus, they are very expensive. There is, as you know, a new and improved stock HB, too, for what it's worth.
*"...I talked to Rich at Able for a while and he told me that sure, any shop can replace the damper, but if the bolt tightening is not done properly, there is a good chance the damper could loosen and walk off the snout. he walked the process with me step by step. He told me they did a lot of them in 2006 and early 2007 and never had a return..."
*"...I talked to Rich at Able for a while and he told me that sure, any shop can replace the damper, but if the bolt tightening is not done properly, there is a good chance the damper could loosen and walk off the snout. he walked the process with me step by step. He told me they did a lot of them in 2006 and early 2007 and never had a return..."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I can't believe this is still a problem. It has been around since the start of the C5's and LS motors.
On my FRC, the balancer failed at just under 30k miles. It was wobbling bad and caused the belt "chirp". I replaced it with a Powerbond balancer. It was only $100 locally from O'reilly's and it works great with stock size, stock belts, and no wobble. I replaced it 2 years ago and it still has zero wobble.
I know there are other choices and a lot of underdrive choices, but this worked well for me.
Good Luck.
On my FRC, the balancer failed at just under 30k miles. It was wobbling bad and caused the belt "chirp". I replaced it with a Powerbond balancer. It was only $100 locally from O'reilly's and it works great with stock size, stock belts, and no wobble. I replaced it 2 years ago and it still has zero wobble.
I know there are other choices and a lot of underdrive choices, but this worked well for me.
Good Luck.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 782
From: Las Vegas NV
I've only seen mention of a new # in THIS thread. Don't know anything about if it's a different part or not. It would be nice if it is. I got mine changed 7 months ago and they used the other part number and it's been ok so far. Maybe contact the guy in that thread, c54u, and ask him to take a picture of it. I don't know if you could tell by looking but it wouldn't hurt.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 199
From: Bay Area Ca.
I was told by my performance shop TPS that they use the new improved OEM balancer when replacement is needed.
Not really sure what the improvement consists of.
Mine is rock solid on my 08 with 25,000 miles. Fingers crossed always....
Not really sure what the improvement consists of.
Mine is rock solid on my 08 with 25,000 miles. Fingers crossed always....
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
Our 2009 LS3 hasn't had any problems with the HB, but sooner or later...
There has been discssion that GM has a new part number for the HB but no one has said whether it's really a different/better part, or just a number change like GM sometimes does. Do you know?
If the "new" GM part isn't any better, I would probably pay for my own and have it installed when the old one starts to go bad. But who makes a replacement HB that:
Is not an underdrive unit
Uses the stock belt
Is like the original in every way, except not defective?
There has been discssion that GM has a new part number for the HB but no one has said whether it's really a different/better part, or just a number change like GM sometimes does. Do you know?
If the "new" GM part isn't any better, I would probably pay for my own and have it installed when the old one starts to go bad. But who makes a replacement HB that:
Is not an underdrive unit
Uses the stock belt
Is like the original in every way, except not defective?
Last edited by irok; Dec 13, 2012 at 09:51 PM.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,949
Likes: 2,667
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
call sales@lingenfelter.com they will fix you up with what you want. approx. $425. no underdrive and stock belts. cheap insurance against future failures
Last edited by irok; Dec 14, 2012 at 02:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
Go with the best!! ATI Superdamper!
The patented ATI Super Damper is the only crankshaft damper designed exclusively for high performance Chevy engines.
Eliminates torsional crankshaft vibrations
Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs
Black zinc chromate finished
Tunable, rebuildable, and extremely efficient at ALL RPM
Laser engraved 360° timing marks
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
The ATI Serpentine Super Damper contains grooves for serpentine belts machined into the outer damper shell. The dampers come standard with 6 outer grooves for standard OEM drive systems. 8 & 10 grooves are available for supercharger or turbo applications. Serpentine dampers are available in a variety of diameters. Crank hubs may be fitted with a 6 groove serpentine pulley to drive external oil pumps or vehicle accessories.
The Serpentine Series dampers fit all ATI GM-front crank hubs and can be adapted to many engine combinations providing maximum flexibility. These dampers are available in steel or lightweight hard-coated aluminum and come with laser engraved 360° timing marks. Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs.
The patented ATI Super Damper is the only crankshaft damper designed exclusively for high performance Chevy engines.
Eliminates torsional crankshaft vibrations
Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs
Black zinc chromate finished
Tunable, rebuildable, and extremely efficient at ALL RPM
Laser engraved 360° timing marks
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
The ATI Serpentine Super Damper contains grooves for serpentine belts machined into the outer damper shell. The dampers come standard with 6 outer grooves for standard OEM drive systems. 8 & 10 grooves are available for supercharger or turbo applications. Serpentine dampers are available in a variety of diameters. Crank hubs may be fitted with a 6 groove serpentine pulley to drive external oil pumps or vehicle accessories.
The Serpentine Series dampers fit all ATI GM-front crank hubs and can be adapted to many engine combinations providing maximum flexibility. These dampers are available in steel or lightweight hard-coated aluminum and come with laser engraved 360° timing marks. Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs.
Last edited by Don-Vette; Dec 14, 2012 at 05:08 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Eugene Oregon
Looks like the ATI Super Damper HB part number that has been so elusive is: ATI-917246.
This part number has no underdrive and is the stock aftermarket replacement.
Links with more info:
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ati-917266
http://store.katechengines.com/ati-s...ts-v-p230.aspx
This part number has no underdrive and is the stock aftermarket replacement.
Links with more info:
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ati-917266
http://store.katechengines.com/ati-s...ts-v-p230.aspx
Last edited by EgoTrippin; Feb 25, 2013 at 12:03 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
Go with the best!! ATI Superdamper!
The patented ATI Super Damper is the only crankshaft damper designed exclusively for high performance Chevy engines.
Eliminates torsional crankshaft vibrations
Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs
Black zinc chromate finished
Tunable, rebuildable, and extremely efficient at ALL RPM
Laser engraved 360° timing marks
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
The ATI Serpentine Super Damper contains grooves for serpentine belts machined into the outer damper shell. The dampers come standard with 6 outer grooves for standard OEM drive systems. 8 & 10 grooves are available for supercharger or turbo applications. Serpentine dampers are available in a variety of diameters. Crank hubs may be fitted with a 6 groove serpentine pulley to drive external oil pumps or vehicle accessories.
The Serpentine Series dampers fit all ATI GM-front crank hubs and can be adapted to many engine combinations providing maximum flexibility. These dampers are available in steel or lightweight hard-coated aluminum and come with laser engraved 360° timing marks. Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs.
The patented ATI Super Damper is the only crankshaft damper designed exclusively for high performance Chevy engines.
Eliminates torsional crankshaft vibrations
Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs
Black zinc chromate finished
Tunable, rebuildable, and extremely efficient at ALL RPM
Laser engraved 360° timing marks
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
The ATI Serpentine Super Damper contains grooves for serpentine belts machined into the outer damper shell. The dampers come standard with 6 outer grooves for standard OEM drive systems. 8 & 10 grooves are available for supercharger or turbo applications. Serpentine dampers are available in a variety of diameters. Crank hubs may be fitted with a 6 groove serpentine pulley to drive external oil pumps or vehicle accessories.
The Serpentine Series dampers fit all ATI GM-front crank hubs and can be adapted to many engine combinations providing maximum flexibility. These dampers are available in steel or lightweight hard-coated aluminum and come with laser engraved 360° timing marks. Exceeds SFI 18.1 specs.
That's the one!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 415
Likes: 3
Looks like the ATI Super Damper HB part number that has been so elusive is: ATI-917266.
This part number has no underdrive and is the stock aftermarket replacement.
Links with more info:
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ati-917266
http://store.katechengines.com/ati-s...ts-v-p230.aspx
This part number has no underdrive and is the stock aftermarket replacement.
Links with more info:
http://www.atiracing.com/products/da...ts/damserp.htm
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ati-917266
http://store.katechengines.com/ati-s...ts-v-p230.aspx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Have you ever considered waiting until you have a problem before deciding to fix it? I have over 48K miles and no issue yet. If and when I have a problem, I hope there is an even better solution than the ones we have today. On the other hand, in the past 40 years I've never had a harmonic balancer problem so... 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 199
From: Bay Area Ca.
Have you ever considered waiting until you have a problem before deciding to fix it? I have over 48K miles and no issue yet. If and when I have a problem, I hope there is an even better solution than the ones we have today. On the other hand, in the past 40 years I've never had a harmonic balancer problem so...
with your sentiments!Yet since owning the GM Corvette I have been made aware of a lot of problems that I never had to deal with beofre owning my Honda's and Toyota's.
Problems that seem to run in production of a long period of model years.
Moving seat rail for one and the vibrating windshield cowl for another.
I understand that the harmonic balancer has been the same design for some time. With separation issues.
Then there is the axle nut saga, which by the way "how many lbs to torque too?"
The Japanese cars I have owned I just service and drive up to 200,000 without any worries or better even not having to look for something to worry about.
Still I love my C6 every time I get behind the wheel.
It is a luxury purchase for sure.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 415
Likes: 3
Have you ever considered waiting until you have a problem before deciding to fix it? I have over 48K miles and no issue yet. If and when I have a problem, I hope there is an even better solution than the ones we have today. On the other hand, in the past 40 years I've never had a harmonic balancer problem so...
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I wouldn't look for a problem that isn't there. The odds are your car will be fine. I'd rather see a keyway but all of the Gen III and Gen IV V8 engines have used a press-fit damper (with no keyway) since the LS1 was introduced in 1997. I haven't heard of any new, improved OEM harmonic balancer but I suppose there could be one. The last refinement I recall is the friction washer which became a production part in the 2006 LS2 and LS7 (and I suspect the friction washer was the 'fix' for later model 2005's as well).
However unlikely, should your harmonic balancer have a problem in the future, I'd look to a quality aftermarket unit such as ATI's or better yet, pin the crank and eliminate the possibility of another problem.
However unlikely, should your harmonic balancer have a problem in the future, I'd look to a quality aftermarket unit such as ATI's or better yet, pin the crank and eliminate the possibility of another problem.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 199
From: Bay Area Ca.
I wouldn't look for a problem that isn't there. The odds are your car will be fine. I'd rather see a keyway but all of the Gen III and Gen IV V8 engines have used a press-fit damper (with no keyway) since the LS1 was introduced in 1997. I haven't heard of any new, improved OEM harmonic balancer but I suppose there could be one. The last refinement I recall is the friction washer which became a production part in the 2006 LS2 and LS7 (and I suspect the friction washer was the 'fix' for later model 2005's as well).
However unlikely, should your harmonic balancer have a problem in the future, I'd look to a quality aftermarket unit such as ATI's or better yet, pin the crank and eliminate the possibility of another problem.
However unlikely, should your harmonic balancer have a problem in the future, I'd look to a quality aftermarket unit such as ATI's or better yet, pin the crank and eliminate the possibility of another problem.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,949
Likes: 2,667
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Have you ever considered waiting until you have a problem before deciding to fix it? I have over 48K miles and no issue yet. If and when I have a problem, I hope there is an even better solution than the ones we have today. On the other hand, in the past 40 years I've never had a harmonic balancer problem so...
But as CyberGray says, it's nice to have a plan.
If we're on a road trip, a thousand miles from home, and the damper starts to get bad; I don't want to be just starting to develop a plan while stuck in a motel room...