balancing an engine....

[71datsun240z]

has anybody here had thier engine sent in for a balance job.... ive been told it gains about 15 hp because its lighter,faster, and the engine doesnt work against itself costing you hp (the 15).

this can also gain you hp easy-er with other high performance parts on your car as well. just because the fact that everything will be les restrictive on the engine.

also this if done properly will add life to an engine....

correct me if im wrong on anyof this ..

and do you all think its worth paying for?

[Phred]

Balancing eng. components is part of my job as a racing engine builder and machinist.

First, it will not gain you 15, or any horsepower. unless the bal. was so far off that the bal. job allowed the engine rev a bit further than it did prior to the bal job. (highly unlikely) A complete bal. job involves balancing both rotating and reciprocating parts. That means everything that spins around (rot.) and everything that goes up and down. (recip.) The crank, fly, clutch cover, and damper are spun individually, and as an assembly, on an electronic eng. balancer. This machine works somewhat like a spin balancer for tires. An imbalance is detected by a sensor, and with the use of a strobe light, the location is indicated. The required amount of weight is drilled, or ground away, untill no imbalance is indicated. The con rods, pistons, and pins are balanced statically so that all components are equal in weight.

A balanced engine may last longer because there is less stress delivered to all areas within the engine. Iv'e had assemblys nearly hop off the machine when a badly out of balance component is bolted to the crank, so you can imagine the hammering the bearings might encounter. Any time an engine is rebuilt with performance in mind, a complete balance job is just as important as the parts you build it with. It is generally not practical to disassemble an engine just to balance it unless a serious internal problem exists. If you are looking for higher revs and higher horsepower, a balance job is worth its weight in gold. Having driven both balanced and unbalanced engines on the street, and the track, I can tell the difference in the smoothness throughout the rev range. And it will theoretically live longer. But, sorry, no horsepower gains by simply balancing an engine.

Phred

[71datsun240z]

thnx 4 the info dude