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Thread: 400 SBC - Is it neccesary to balance?
          
   
   

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  1. #1
    facemelter is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    400 SBC - Is it neccesary to balance?

     



    Alright guys, I have a 400 bored .060+. Speed Pro Hypereutectic Pistons, Stock rods with ARP bolts, Cast crank.

    My buddy is in the finishing stages of his 355 build, and regrets balancing his rotating assembly because when they checked it, they said it only threw off 15 lbs. Which isn't bad considering my BBC threw off 650 lbs lol. But the thing is, its $175 to get it internally balanced to 10,000 rpm. Is it really worth it? What do you guys think.
    Thanks, Cory

  2. #2
    Dave Severson is offline CHR Member/Contributor Visit my Photo Gallery
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    I always balance my engines, even if I'm not going racing with it. Just makes for less wear and increased longevity if they are balanced. Considering what it costs to go through an engine these days, it's not all that much more to know that the balance is spot on and one or two heavy pistons aren't going to be pounding the engine to pieces...
    Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
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  3. #3
    facemelter is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Yeah you got a good point, haha as with my BBC, throwing 650 lbs off. Good thing i got it balanced. I just will have to drop the cash on the table and do it.
    Thanks guys

  4. #4
    Dave Severson is offline CHR Member/Contributor Visit my Photo Gallery
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    I think it's a good decision. Never have figured out the guys who won't hesitate to drop $200.00 for chrome and shiny's for their engine, but think the balancing bill is too high?????
    Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
    Carroll Shelby

    Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!

  5. #5
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    viking is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Once you feel one balanced you'll never go back.
    Objects in the mirror are losing

  6. #6
    383 chev's Avatar
    383 chev is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Quote Originally Posted by viking
    Once you feel one balanced you'll never go back.
    What he said

  7. #7
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    thesals is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    hell i like to them balanced and blueprinted now...... makes them run so so nice
    just because your car is faster, doesn't mean i cant outdrive you... give me a curvy mountain road and i'll beat you any day

  8. #8
    facemelter is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    haha yeah your right. I'm doing the combo off of Chevy HI Performance. That makes 525 lb torque at 3500 and 428 HP at 5,000 RPM. Its gonna be such a torque monster. Last night I ordered the vortecs, pistons, rods, bearings, rings, seals, oil pump, and so much more haha. Heres a link of that combo if you guys wanna look at it.

    http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._block_torque/

  9. #9
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    If you want to do it right, have the assembly balanced. I would never build an engine that did not have a balanced rotating assembly.


    Lynn
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    There's no 12 step program for stupid!

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  10. #10
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    I just did my first engine and it was balanced .....OOOHH what difference from the factory vibrations in the motor all I can say is smooth as silk.
    Its gunna take longer than u thought and its gunna cost more too(plan ahead!)

  11. #11
    erik erikson's Avatar
    erik erikson is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Quote Originally Posted by DennyW
    If your planning to go over 5000 rpm'd frequently, yes it would be worth it.
    Sounds like what I would say.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by erik erikson
    Sounds like what I would say.
    Just out of curiosity, what balancer and flex plate would you run on this setup?
    Ken Thomas
    NoT FaDe AwaY and the music didn't die
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  13. #13
    erik erikson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NTFDAY
    Just out of curiosity, what balancer and flex plate would you run on this setup?
    If it is int. balance then you would run the 350 balancer and flex plate.

  14. #14
    NTFDAY's Avatar
    NTFDAY is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Quote Originally Posted by erik erikson
    If it is int. balance then you would run the 350 balancer and flex plate.
    Thanks, Erik. I have a torn down 400sbc in my garage that hopefully someday I'll get around to rebuilding and that answers one of my questions.
    Ken Thomas
    NoT FaDe AwaY and the music didn't die
    The simplest road is usually the last one sought
    Wild Willie & AA/FA's The greatest show in drag racing

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