SFI balancer OR OEM replacement?

[Marlboro_Man]

Ok so i was thinking today if there was anything else i needed to go with my head swap. Then i realized if I'm changing the timing chain I'll have to pull off the balancer anyway so why not put on a new one while i'm at it.


Looked at some prices and an SFI approved balancer from FRPP is $300 but an OEM replacement is only $70.

I'm not planning on spinning the motor over 5800-6000 with the stock shortblock still under it, so would i need to break my whole budget for an sfi balancer or not?

I know i could probably find an SFI one cheaper online, but the ease of having FRPP 15 minutes from me just seems like a no brainer.


:SNSign:

 

[dwhiskie]

If $$ is not an issue then get the SFI one. If $$ is an issue then stock replacement will work fine since you aint spinning high rpm`s

 

[R2D2]

non-sfi is fine for you

http://fordstrokers.com/index.php?target=categories&category_id=37

 

[bubba-dough]

non-sfi is fine for you

+1

 

[HISSIN50]

While it's purely an opinion thing, I guess I'm a little more cautious - with HCI and nitrous spinnin at 6K, I'd probably opt for an SFI unit for less than 100 extra bucks. I've got a Pioneer SFI unit - nice lookin piece IMHO.

Good luck with the whichever route you go.

 

[Darkwriter77]

I like mine. Cheap as OEM (from 50resto.com for about $75), but solid iron so it'll never fly apart. Runs smooth as buttah.

 

[HISSIN50]

......but solid iron so it'll never fly apart.

There's no elastomer?

The elastomer is the perishable component with most of these balancers.

 

[GSP393]

5,800-6k is plenty more than the stock redline so I'd get sfi for sure. I know they're not cheap, I had to get an sfi balancer and flywheel for my stroker.

 

[R2D2]

non sfi's go 6500+ easy.

 

[bubba-dough]

5,800-6k is plenty more than the stock redline so I'd get sfi for sure. I know they're not cheap, I had to get an sfi balancer and flywheel for my stroker.

But 6000 is below the stock rev limiter, so by that, you could assume that a "stock" replacement should handle 6000 easily or Ford would have used something better or everyone of us would be having trouble all the time with the stockers.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Why's this SFI certification even an issue? He's already said he's not going to be spinning it above 6000 RPM. A stock one would work, sure, but for the money and the convenience of better timing marks and better materials, he'd be better off with something like a Professional Products balancer.

As far as elastomer ... ummm ... I dunno. I never took a saw to mine to see what's inside - maybe plutonium or liquid kryptonite, for all I know. All I know is it's solid iron on the outside, because there's no seams that I can really see and a magnet sticks to it (which annoyed the crap out of me one time when I was trying to fetch something with my trusty lil' telescoping magnetic "dang it, I dropped it again" tool.

I'm sure anything's possible, but I've never once heard of one like mine falling apart on a mostly stock motor.

 

[2000xp8]

Either go stock replacement, or high end, IMO stay away from the middle grade stuff.

 

[GSP393]

My bad? So what's the point of sfi then? I mean, I'm not being a complete smart a$$. I spent a buttload on sfi stuff. I could've saved that money for other stuff. Like linkbar lifters.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Don't underestimate the importance of a good balancer....get the SFI regaurdless of wether you need it or not...it's not like it'll hurt you any.

 

[310stanger]

i have the fluidamper sfi balancer. replaced it when i did my h/c/i. the old one was worn out. did i really need an sfi? probably not. but man do i sleep well at night knowing its on there. the engine runs real smooth as well. the timing marks are also extremely legible. this makes timing changes much easier.

 

[Marlboro_Man]

Well thanks for all the comments guys. I went ahead and got an oem replacement from FRPP today for $48 no tax

I figured if i spin it then i will know i need sfi, If it lasts for the next couple months i'm going to pick up one of these from fordstrokers and put it on
http://fordstrokers.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=76

Since i have an extra block now i'm going to build a 331 / 347 and the new sfi balancer will be able to be reused on it with just a new counter weight. But for now i think 5500-5800 will probably be all i try to spin my 302, the E cam and cobra intake probably won't make much power above that anyway.