I have a stock LT4 to go in my car.
Is there a problem with using the harmonic balancer and flywheel from my LT1 on this engine? Are the two engines balanced the same way from the factory?

The dual mass balancer does not line up with the LT1 accessory bracket, belt is about an inch too far forward.

The motor did not come with a flywheel. Will using my LT1 part create any problems? Do I need an LT4 specific part? The reading I have done indicated that at least on the Corvettes, the LT4 had a dual mass flywheel as well.

 

You will need the LT4's original flywheel for a correct balance, and a few LT4's were also balanced by the balancer. You should be able to get by with the LT1 balancer, but you definately need the LT4's original flywheel. At the very least you need the LT4's flywheel to match balance your LT1's.

I would never buy an LT1/4 without the original flywheel.

 

Given that I do not have the flywheel that came on it, what other options do I have to solve the problem?

 

So they would "balance" these LT4's using a "balancer" without a keyed hub? Rubbish
The front "balancer" is not a balancer. It is a damper which is zero balanced. The LTx engines are internally balanced in the front and externally balanced in the rear.
I'm not sure if there is a different flywheel for the LT4, but it wouldn't hurt to check. Using a LT1 damper along with your year crank hub (that's if you have a 94 with no crank position sensor) should be fine.

You call a dealer and see if either there is a different part number between the LT1/LT4 flywheels or you just say you have a '96 GrandSport and need a flywheel.

 

There were a few hard to balance LT4's that had extra holes drilled in the dampner/balancer. This has been confirmed by one of the Lead Engineers on the C4 project (Gordon Kilbrew).

Also, every LT1/LT4 engine was balanced using the flywheel by added weights. Without the original flywheel, balancing the engine will be very difficult.

 

When I look up a flywheel, it shows the same number, whether a LT1 or LT4......


Carquest part # FRA-160.......

 

The Vette and F-Body LT engines both have dampers, not balancers. However, the drive pulley alignments are different for the accessories (F-Body and Vette) so they are different. If you need a new damper for the F-Body accessories, Jeg's has their brand (damper and hub) with the underdrive option and SFI approved. Or, you could go with one of the ATI brand LT aftermarket dampers.

WD

 

correct, when i purchased my crate LT4 i also got the LT4 damper to go with it,, but the spacing is different from the lt1 camaro accesory brackets,, i used the original lt1 (ATI) damper for years with no problems

 

So those "extra holes" couldn't possibly be from zero balancing the damper itself? Where's the source on this?
i.e. "externally balanced" in the rear of the engine.
Do what? If the engine retains its factory rotating assembly then any LTx application flywheel will work. Where do you get your info?

 

I get mine off the cereal box



They all have zero balance dampers, if it has holes in it it is just to zero balance it.

 

And I thought all this time, you stayed at a Hoilday Inn Express.......

 

You and I.... We start a custom cam business, yes?

 

Thanks for the replies.

SS RRR - forgive me if I'm being dense here, I want to be clear on what you said.
"If the engine retains its factory rotating assembly then any LTx application flywheel will work."

Is there a "standard" weight setup to balance a LTx flywheel that gets it close?
Without the original, is there any way to match it up correctly?

 

As said... as long as the rotating assy. is the original factory assy. then all you need is a run-of-the-mill GM flywheel for that engine.