engine damper

[knightfox]

does anyone know if an engine damper helps out at all?? or is it just a complete waste of money.

[Glen_T]

What do you mean by engine damper? On in-line engines, a damper is used to protect the geartrain by minimizing crankshaft torsional activity. I believe they're call harmonic balancers on Vee engines.

If you're talking about something that reduces engine motion/vibration, then it sounds like a better engine mount. Not sure that it would improve power, but I guess it would eliminate excess engine motion during hard acceleration and would reduce vibration.

Others on this board probably have a lot more experience with this....good luck, Glen

[Igovert500]

Yeah harmonic dampeners usually are part of stock crank pulleys. A good safety precaution IMO. Although, most underdrive pulleys don't have them, and many many people have those, and have no direct problems.
Just as Glen said, I'm not to sure exactly what you are asking. Do you mean you found additional dampers for sale???

Again as Glen said, motor mounts have alot to do with vibrations as well. High mileage cars have a tendency for hte rubber internals of stock motor mounts to rot/dry out causing excess engine vibration, especially under heavy accelleration. Replacing them can reduce vibrations. Many opt for solid or stronger mounts, these do prevent the engine from moving, which generally accounts for less parasitic loss of horsepower through the drivetrain. However, they do transfer more of the engines vibrations throughout the chassis, so at idle you will feel the entire car vibrating a bit.

Not sure if that answered what you were asking..

[knightfox]

sorry i wasnt more specific before. this is the type of engine damper i was talking about. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ENGIN...spagenameZWDVW it fits between the engine and firewall to help reduce vibration in the car and to control torque and hp.

[Glen_T]

May be effective in reducing vibration and engine motion during hard acceleration, but it would not improve HP....Glen

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Glen_T

May be effective in reducing vibration and engine motion during hard acceleration, but it would not improve HP....Glen

The engine is expending power to move itself around on the mounts...controlling that should give you a SLIGHT increase in initial torque on launch...but not something you're gonna notice unless you are trying to shave 100ths off quarter mile times or something.

I think that money could be spent on better things.