Urambo Tauro

I'm preparing to replace my harmonic damper/balancer, but I see there are different kinds available. Most regular units are in the mid double-digit price range, but I see some "racing" ones that are significantly more expensive.

What is different about them? Are the cheaper ones less capable of doing their job? Is it a longevity issue? What is it that you're paying for in a high-end unit?

mongolchuck

Mostly in materials. Stock ones are rubber bonded to metal. Race ones have more durable urethane or all metal construction. Some of the more expensive ones have removable weights. What are your goals with the car? Stock will dampen vibration better but not stand up as well to constant high revs.

Urambo Tauro

Hm. Sounds like a real one-or-the-other trade-off. For a daily driver, I would certainly choose vibration dampening over high-rev longevity. There doesn't seem to be anything to gain from putting a race unit in a street car. I will pursue an OEM-type replacement.

When we're talking about "high revs", are we talking about the stock redline area of ~5900ish RPM? Or are we referring to race engines that are built to exceed that?

mongolchuck

In response to your last question mostly the high rev race prep motors. It's not just the revs but the high heat those motors experience. Most foxes have been beat on at least a little and the stock balancers survived for 20 years. A stock style replacement will be fine for stock to mildly built engines.

Boss_Hotrod

I think ford racing offers a stock style replacement for around $80. That will work fine for a DD car.

Urambo Tauro

I decided to get the Ford Racing M-6316-M50. Thanks for the information and suggestions, everyone!