Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

Harmonic balancer weight and its effect on performance?
If one reduces the balancers weight and makes correction to any imbalance
on the crankshaft.
Might one see an increase in HP and how quick the engine spins up?
Thanks
Bernhard

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

Theoretically yes... enough to notice?... I doubt it.
How much can you take off a balancer?... a lb maybe?
It's not like taking 10 lbs off of a flywheel.
Just an opinion, others may know more.

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

The above, and the smaller diameter of a dampener, versus a flywheel, the effect on inertia won’t be big.

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

Exactly. Plus it also depended on how fast the rate of acceleration of the engine is. A 1 lb weight on the outside of a 6" diameter accelerating at 2000 RPM per second at 7000 RPM is taking less than 0.54 HP. Where as that 1 lb on the outside of a 12" diameter accelerating at 2000 RPM per second at 7000 RPM is taking 2.17 HP.



Stan

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

I put it in the category of things that dont show a measurable increase but when added to 50 other things like that, all of a sudden your a little faster. Lol

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

Thanks you for your insightful replies to my question.
Bernhard

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

I'll add a couple things with no verifiable info to suggest I'm correct however.. Almost all balancers are neutral or zero balanced so a change won't affect anything internal. Smaller/lighter should spin up faster but as mentioned, you'll never notice it. What is important is the name "Harmonic". A small lightweight balancer can't control internal harmonics like a heavy "factory" one does. Bearing or crank failure can be the result. Some engines and balancer brands are notorious for this.

Hopefully, a real expert chimes in here but i can guarantee you'll se nothing performance wise. Kinda similar to Roller Rockers that are magically going to add HP> JMO

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

I put in category of things that don't show a measurable increase but when
added to 50 other things like that, all of a sudden you're a whole lot poorer. Lol

AND THEN = Your crank is in two pieces!

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

Remember back in the days before ATI balancers when we cut the ring off the hub so the balancers wouldn't explode and kill the starting line crew?...
Ended up with stock in Federal Mogul and had lots of two piece door stops!

Re: Harmonic balancer weight and its effects ???
 

Laughed so f#$%in hard.