[TransAm 474]

I was wondering which balancer would be a better choice. I was looking at either the Professional Products Power Force+ SFI balancer that weighs about 10 lbs.,or the Romac SFI balancer that has a steel hub with the Aluminum outer ring that only weighs 5.6 lbs. You can see my combo in my sig. down below. This is going to be street driven. I didn't know how much the weight of the balancer would effect a street driven car,or if the aluminum Romac balancer would even be recommended for street use. Would i even be able to tell the difference in engine response with the lighter balancer? I also do understand that the Romac balancer would require some trimming of my oil pan. What would you guys choose?

[TransAm 474]

I was wondering which balancer would be a better choice. I was looking at either the Professional Products Power Force+ SFI balancer that weighs about 10 lbs.,or the Romac SFI balancer that has a steel hub with the Aluminum outer ring that only weighs 5.6 lbs. You can see my combo in my sig. down below. This is going to be street driven. I didn't know how much the weight of the balancer would effect a street driven car,or if the aluminum Romac balancer would even be recommended for street use. Would i even be able to tell the difference in engine response with the lighter balancer? I also do understand that the Romac balancer would require some trimming of my oil pan. What would you guys choose?

[Jack Gifford]

For what it's worth- I am very disappointed with the quality of the Professional Products balancer I bought (not the SFI version). The ID had to be machined out a couple thousands to Pontiac crank snout specs and the markings on the OD were incorrect (actual 30 degrees showed as about 28 degrees). Since nobody makes a tape for a 6.895" diameter, I had to machine off the marks and use an index head to mill new marks- tedious!

[Mr. P-Body]

For the price, the Pioneer is the better one out there. The BHJ and "Rattler" are EXCELLENT pieces. Avoid FluiDamper in street applications, unless the car is driven regularly. If storing for more than a couple of weeks, it must be removed and stored FLAT, so the fluid doesn't migrate. It will...
The Romac is probably a good quality item. What are they asking for it?

[Ken -Ace- Brewer]

I built several motors with both. I prefer the Profesional Products. That is wierd Pontiac Jack. I must have built at LEAST 12 motors with them and have sold over 60 of them. No complaints. And the ones I have checked have been right on the dot as far as timing marks! Strange one. And I would rather the balancer be tight and me have to hone it out. As Oposed to it being to loose.
Added bonus is the PP has the stock pontiac 4 bolt pattern. And a BBC pattern on it as well. This helps alot when using a crank trigger, as it lines the wheel up perfectly centered for adjustment and is easier to bolt up on the BBC pattern.
Be Cool,

[Half-Inch Stud]

The one Spotts sells:
Great Balancer, no hassles, good price.
HIS

[TransAm 474]

Mr. P-Body, I can get the SFI Professional Products balancer for $129.00,or i can get the Romac balancer for $199.00,both are brand new. The Romac balancer is almost half the weight of the professional products balancer,but i don't guess that the weight matters for a street driven car,so i'll probably go with the professional products SFI balancer (the one with the red ring around it). This way I don't think that i'll have to do any trimming of my oil pan either.
Thanks for the responses everybody!!!

[SCOTT ESTERLE]

We sell the Pioneer for $154.39.

[bmpmdf]

Having used all of the mentioned ones, hands down no contest in favor of the Romac. Everything fits right, the numbers aren't backwards (professional prod. thing) Pulleys (yes stock Pontiac pulleys) line up and the bolt holes are right. The Pioneer doesn't line up your belt pulleys right all the time. The pro products is a pain in the rear to make fit. The Romacs are a better quality piece in every aspect. And in case you are wondering, all of them have been the SFI approved version. It isn't worth it to me not to buy an SFI approved Damper. Plus techs at the track know you are trying to go by the rules.

[Dave Schiffers]

bmpmdf

Did you have to trim the oil pan as mentioned above...?

and

what affect will there be using the lighter Romac?

Thanks, Dave

[Ken -Ace- Brewer]

bmpmdf....The backwords #'s will be fixed along with a few other things on the next run!!! They are 20 mins from me and I have spoke with Jim(the owner). He pulled out the blueprints right in front of me and changed them right in front of me! Jim ran B&M and worked for Pro Race balancers.
Be Cool,

[larry davis]

I like my Romac and it meets SFI.

[Formula jg]

TransAm 474,

I'll just put this out there because I am in no means a expert on this topic, but why couldn't you use a new stock GM dampener?
Except for the cam, I have a very similar engine combo with the GM dampener, I am wondering if its a accident waiting to happen?

[Lerry: The Body Ventura..]

Mr. P-body, You mentioned avoid fluid dampers in street cars. What about race cars which set usually longer?

[critter]

I installed my Pioneer that I purchased via Scott E. at Summit today. Everything was perfect. It gets a thumbs up from me.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

My Pioneer is scheduled to be delivered from Summit on Tuesday. Sounds like I made a good choice.

Anyone want a CAT balancer??? They make good door stops or paper weights

[gearbanger]

I got one of those non-sfi pro -products dampers as well and it was not a good piece. The bore was about .008 to small and the overall length of it was about a 1/16 inch to short. So the pulleys would have been a little off or I would have shimmed it. Not worth it. I sent it back and got a pioneer sfi piece. It is nice. I would recommend it to anyone.

[bmpmdf]

With the Moroso pan I just bent the lip back slightly. (you can see that it was very close) With a stock pan I didn't have too.

[bmpmdf]

With the Moroso pan I just bent the lip back slightly. ( it was very close) With a stock pan I didn't have too.

[Lerry: The Body Ventura..]

Other than some balancers being a pain in the a$$ to get fitted on crank snout. How can one tell if one is bad from another? Other than maybe long term bearing failure? Excessive engine vibration? Either of these two factors, would be hard to point the blame at the balancer. Especially when even the cheaper versions of balancers are tested for harmonics..