LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Stock harmonic balancer

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Old 01-11-2009, 10:58 PM
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Stock harmonic balancer

The shop tuning my car says that my SFI approved one from Jegs could be causing problems with the cam sensor?

Last edited by Injuneer; 01-12-2009 at 05:27 AM. Reason: "parts wanted" content deleted
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Old 01-11-2009, 11:24 PM
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There are forums for buying/selling stuff on this board. LT1 engine tech isn't it.
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Old 01-11-2009, 11:33 PM
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Well, the reason I put this here, is the second part to the post, could this actually be causing problems? I'm aware of where I'm posting, Thank you.
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Old 01-12-2009, 05:26 AM
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Do not post "parts wanted" in the tech forums.... particularly when you are "aware of where I'm posting, Thank you."
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Old 01-12-2009, 06:45 AM
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The "cam sensor" is built in to the opti. Nothing that the SFI could be bothering. If you happen to mean the crank sensor, then it still would not bother it as long as the reluctor is in the right place.
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Old 01-12-2009, 09:58 AM
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I would think the reluctor ring should be on right. There was only one way it would go on with it being keyed, then the hub tightens up against it. He's thinking aftermarket balancers cause vibration and destroy optisparks, but I thought that was the whole idea of an SFI approved one was to cause less vibration to help keep the crank in one piece. Correct me if I'm wrong.
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Old 01-12-2009, 10:04 AM
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If I was to swap it out, it would probably have to be for a 96-97 LT1 because of the reluctor ring?
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Old 01-12-2009, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by dr97z
I would think the reluctor ring should be on right. There was only one way it would go on with it being keyed, then the hub tightens up against it. He's thinking aftermarket balancers cause vibration and destroy optisparks, but I thought that was the whole idea of an SFI approved one was to cause less vibration to help keep the crank in one piece. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Your thinking sounds more correct than his. His theory seems odd to me.

Originally Posted by dr97z
If I was to swap it out, it would probably have to be for a 96-97 LT1 because of the reluctor ring?
Yes, you would need a 96-97 hub to work with the reluctor to line up your serpentine belt properly.

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Old 01-12-2009, 11:54 AM
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Shoebox, thanks for the info, its been helpful.
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Old 01-12-2009, 04:10 PM
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SFI means it won't explode, or come flying off and kill someone. SFI does not cover performance characteristics, only safety. SFI doesn't care about your crank, only the driver and people nearby.

Add to that the fact that it is not a balancer, but a harmonic damper. Its damping the radial vibrations and resonance of the crank, not balancing it.
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Old 01-12-2009, 05:59 PM
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So ultimately it wouldn't serve the purpose of a stock balancer on an LT1?

For some reason I thought an LT1 was Internally balanced with the exception of the flywheel?
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Old 01-12-2009, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Ekof96Z28
So ultimately it wouldn't serve the purpose of a stock balancer on an LT1?

For some reason I thought an LT1 was Internally balanced with the exception of the flywheel?
Read what Fred said. It's for vibration dampening.

Balancing is like you say.
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Old 01-12-2009, 07:02 PM
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Why dont you describe the problem instead of just telling us your tuners solution? Theres plenty of experienced guys here that can help. Seems a bit far fetched to me.
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Old 01-12-2009, 07:41 PM
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Well, I'm trying to get the graph from him, unfortunately he's about a 3 hour drive from me, so I'm waiting for him to email it if he can.

He says it pulls on the dyno to 5800 rpm like a normal car, graph looks normal, then after there's a dip then it pulls, then dips, then peaks around 6500 rpms, then has a bit of a missfire closer to 7000 rpms.

He also says that the intake manifold pressure drops when he mashes the gas. I've been told either theres an air intake restriction or valves could be to tight and not seating all the way and causing compression loss.

He thought maybe the balancer being aftermarket (Jegs brand) it could be messing with the crank / cam sensor. Don't ask me why, SFI approved, should be better than stock.

This all gets to be above my head from here, so I'm game for any input.
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Old 01-12-2009, 08:37 PM
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"He also says that the intake manifold pressure drops when he mashes the gas"

when you hit the throttle, the blades open, and the map sensor should be at or near atmospheric pressure,which depending or where you are should be around 103 +/- a few kpa. so what do you mean when you say the pressure drops?
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