I'm thinking about installing a 0% lighten pulley and I know there is a big debate on this mod because it can through off the balance of the motor.

Well about a month a go my car had new pistions installed and I had the crank balanced with the newly bored out block and JE pistons. My question is now that the motor has been internaly balanced is going with a lighten pulley much of a risk?
M

 

Everything i've read says the Tritec is harmonically balanced internally and no external balancing is required, but there's always been a debate about this. Alta claims to have spoken directly to the engineering team responsible for the construction and design of the Tritec, and they said external balancing wasn't required. IMHO it's a waste, and I wouldn't bother spending any money on it (The 05-06 Crank pulley accomplishes the same thing). If you made 2 HP from lightening the crank by 7-8 lbs i'd be REALLY surprised. Hope that answers your question

 

I'm not thinking it will give me more HP must quicker response, less drag and quicker spools. Plus I haven't mod'd in three days. lol
M

 

It's a disease Mario, the sooner you realize it, the sooner you can seek treatment .

Be glad you didn't go on the drive with Jan and I, it was fairly boring, too much traffic. We went up stunt road which was fun, but mostly just traffic after that .

 

I'm no engine designer, but I believe the harmonics come from all the rotating pieces headed in different directions, not an unbalanced crank. There's just no way (IMO) that you can get an inline 4 to be 'balanced'. Much better chance with a W10.
You can believe that BMW added weight and cost for not particular reason (or for NVH), but I've heard too many stories about issues in high powered Miatas (turbos) to do anything but a '05-06 lighter crank pulley. (yes, I know we have SCs, and the Tritec isn't a miata engine...)

Then again, if it's been 3 days, this could be considered an emergency.
I don't see that you've lightened the flywheel. Lots more weight on that end, and further from the center of mass. As a bonus, it costs more to do.:impatient

 

+1 A lightened flywheel and a racing clutch go hand-in-hand with your high hp and tq numbers. That said, the lightened crank pulley does make rev-matching easier when the revs rise and fall faster, and complements a short-throw shifter quite nicely.

Mario, I've paid attention to your modding adventures with much enthusiasm! Three days is too long!

 

The biggest difference I've experienced is when I changed out the OEM clutch and flywheel for the Exedy stage 3 package.

Weighs 26 lbs. less than stock!

People who've driven it come back grinning all over themselves.

I have lots of engine mods, but none made such a huge difference in response.

FWIW, this was much more dramatic than the Fidanza flywheel I had in my first MCS.

This car is an 06, so it already had the lighter balancer.

I had removed it in favor of a 2% Alta.

When I put the OEM balancer back on, I was surpised at how much smoother the car felt. Might have been psychological, I can't say for sure.

But then came the Exedy. Whole new ballgame.

 

The pulley isn't a balancer its a damper.

 

If there is a risk then why take it. Does it out weigh to benefits?
I ask myself and the answer is NO.

 

More info please...

 

Any chatter with your current set up? Any reason you didn't do Fidaza the seond time?
Thanks

 

I noticed there was a lot of traffic, even the motorcycles were taking it easy on the corners. We just drove down to Moonshadows and ate on the water and watched the table of 25 hot girls and of course the waves.
BTW call me when you wake up for Bimmerfest. I want to make sure we hook up.

 

The pulley is a harmonic damper not a balancer, as stated before the engine is internally balanced. The lightened pulleys have no provision for harmonic dampening.

 

thanks Brian, so is this more of a sound thing?

 

harmonic doesn't mean sound you can hear but more or less vibrations caused by parts moving in different directions at different frequencies.

The goal is to avoid your engine turning into an internal cumbustion version of galloping gurdy. basic info here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_balancer

 

Vibrations. It basically keeps the engine from shaking itself apart . I agree you can do more with a flywheel than anything. If you drove danny's car you'd crap your pants. You breath on the throttle and it goes to 6 grand. I almost did a burnout in reverse backing it out. It makes such a difference with a new flywheel it's just crazy. .

 

There a slight bit of noise, but FAR less than the Fidanza.

The Fidanza self destructed after 30k miles on the old car.

 

I'll be up at 6 AM or so, you realize I have to be in Encino at 7:30 am right? . How about if I just send you a text when I get to the Encino caravan

 

the later model stock harmonic is a good compromize . it's lighter and still dampens harmonic vibrations. let's say you've got a harmonic vibration at an rpm you frequent; the dampener will help absorb its' effect .