Has anyone taken the time to do this to their engine? I'm sure it's worth it in the long run. Does anyone know of any reputable machine shops that deal with Honda blocks? The ones I've come across seem to cater to Fords and Chevys. But I guess it's all the same thing broken down. Open to any comments.

 

waste of money, little or no gain in performance.

 

I wouldn't say it's a waste, but it really doesn't do much.

A lot of people think that you need to knife edge your crank, but the Honda crank doesn't actually pass through the oil in the pan, and that's really what knife edging a crank allows you to do.

Balancing the bottom end can help to ensure long life of your engine, because it can almost eliminate rotational stress fractures, thus allowing your engine to rev faster and higher with less damage.

To have it done right does cost though, I would look somewhere else for more HP.



[Modified by B18C-EJ1, 9:55 PM 8/8/2001]

 

well i'd say that it is a must if planning on bulding the engine for high revving operation ..such as spoon engine designs ..

like 9KRPM +

if not..well depens on how much it costs..

some stuff can be done by urself with helo of a knowledgebale person and an electronic balance ..

some stuff u need specialize equipment...

if u don't plan on going more than 9KRPM then don't touch that..

unless u got a deal on it

 

Most aftermarket pistons and rods come pretty darn close to being in balance from the manufacturer. Any balancing shop should be able to spin balance your stock crank for about $100. Be sure to use your stock harmonic balancer and not an aftermarket pulley or you will lose all the balancing benefits. Probably not much hp increase after balance.
Earl

 

Thanks everyone. I figured there wouldn't be any hp gain. I was thinking more of "protecting an investment". New bearings, flywheel, clutch, rods, rod bolts, pistons/rings, etc... That's a lot of money added all up. Anyone else have input?

 

Honda motors are put together really well. I think there balanced at the factory. Its really not necessary even if you put aftermatket cams pitons etc. Even those if they are good quality should be balanced also by their label. I'd worry more about engine life with thoughts of scheduled oil changes and maintenance affecting the life of the engine more so then a engine balance.

 

you're completely rebuilding the bottom end with all new components? then yes, i would DEFINATELY have them all balanced together! nothing like spending a couple thousand dollars on a motor to have it go BOOM cuz you were interested in saving a couple hundred..

do it right.. unless of course you're rich and you don't care..

 

Most machine shops tell you to bring the pistons rods,and crank in to balance all of them. I wouldnt get into all that if you not really read to spend that type or money on high prices parts. Like everyone says, and i will repeat. Honda makes a reall good engine. later

 

I'm currently getting my entire bottom end balanced and the crank knife edged as well. The knife edge helps with rotational mass such as a lightened flywheel does. Maybe a couple of hp. It helps acceleration. Unless you already are tearing apart your bottom end I wouldn't do it. The only reason I am is because I'm building a ls/vtec.

 

Where the hell are you guys getting your bottom ends balanced, at Ferrari's F1 facilities? I got the bottom end balanced on a B16A that I built for $65. That included the crank, rods, pistons, rings, pressure plate, pulley and flywheel. And don't tell me that it must have been a crappy place. The engine shop is dedicated to balancing engines and the guy has been doing it for a long time. It's probably the best engine balancing place in California. It's true that Honda engines are balanced really well from the factory but if you want to build a really reliable engine get it balanced.
Oh yeah, knife edging a crank in a street car is not good. The reason why there is so much weight on cranks is because it has to counter balance the rotating assembly.

 

I agree, we definitely have some keyboard mechanics on our hands here...

"waste of money, little or no gain in performance."
In the world of import racing where a header can cost you upwards of $400, spending a hundred or two to help the longevity of your little high revving timebomb is well worth it.

"Most machine shops tell you to bring the pistons rods,and crank in to balance all of them. I wouldnt get into all that if you not really read to spend that type or money on high prices parts. "
Balancing pistons and rods is a very simple process, you take the lightest one and shave down the remaining components to match that weight. If you are going to balance your crank, it only makes sense to balance the rest of the rotating assembly.

I'm currently getting my entire bottom end balanced and the crank knife edged as well. The knife edge helps with rotational mass such as a lightened flywheel does.
Knife edging the crank weakens the crank and requires extreme lightening of the other components to keep balance on opposite sides of the rotating assembly.

Oh yeah, knife edging a crank in a street car is not good. The reason why there is so much weight on cranks is because it has to counter balance the rotating assembly.
Good advice.

Most aftermarket pistons and rods come pretty darn close to being in balance from the manufacturer. Any balancing shop should be able to spin balance your stock crank for about $100. Be sure to use your stock harmonic balancer and not an aftermarket pulley or you will lose all the balancing benefits. Probably not much hp increase after balance.
Good advice.

Sorry if I stepped on anyones nuts, just hate to see people steer'd in the wrong direction.

Rich

 

This procedure is not perform to improve hp or tq, it will improve the engines efficientcy, so that it can be more stable and reliable when power is added. A well.balanced bottom end can be expected to improve overall efficientcy by 10%...FOREVER .)