Installe my FluidDamper today....NICE!!

[Gonzo 1066]

Finally got around to installing the FluidDamper on my 04. Went better than I thought it would. Fan belt kicked my arse for a bit. The truck IS smoother at low and mid pulling RPMs This is just seat of the pants, but my wife also noticed the difference. Has to be lots better for the engine and drivetrain. Oo.



Being a diesel mechanic by trade I was more than a bit sceptical about the claims on aftermarket dampers. I now stand corrected. . Going on a cross state pull to Pasco tomorrow. This will be a great test. Lots of climbing over some good passes. Will post a towing report next week. .

 

[MChrist]

Was your old one showing signs of wear? Why the decision to swap?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Your going to notice that it's actually more quiet when your pulling the hills too.
BTW, I had issues with that damned belt too! That thing is a monster.

 

[Mhannink]

just installed 3 of them last week. 97 cummins 99 powerstroke and an 06 cummins. all run much smoother, quieter, and shift better(all manuals) i know they claim more h. p. on their website, i also know that the amount they claim it increases should not be noticeable seat of the pants, but it does feel like there is more power. i would like to look at a dyno chart before and after, i have a feeling there is significant low end power gains, due to the improved damping at that rpm. peak power is only slightly higher, and i cant really feel it, just think i do.



as for the belt, three different trucks and they were all a pain in the ___, i think it is cause fluidamper takes up as much room as it possibly can. that makes it tight for fitting the belt.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I installed mine last Spring. I inspected my stock damper and found that the scribed marks were slightly off even though the rubber still looked good. I decided to spend the extra on a Fluidampr instead of getting another stock one.



I used new bolts and the install was easy. I had to hold the transmission with a barring tool so I could torque the bolts. Worst part was the belt. I didn't take out the fan or shroud but I compressed the shroud enough that I could do the work.



My truck is stock but it idles much smoother now. I always had a slight mirror vibration at idle (in gear) since the truck was new. That's gone. Just feels better at all speeds now. Worth the money in my opinion.

 

[JJPage]

Just found one at KLM Performance for 414. 50, is this a fair price?

 

[Dieselnerd]

That's in the ballpark. XDP Diesel has them on sale from time to time. I paid around $379 from them as I recall, but XDP is charging $435 right now so your price is reasonable.

 

[MChrist]

My motor is smooth as silk, so I would assume my stock damper is fine. Did yours get progressively worse, and that's why you changed?

 

[Dieselnerd]

I'm not sure who you are asking but I'll answer about mine. My motor felt the same but one of the maintenance procedures is to check the damper. I think it's every 30K, didn't look it up this morning.



It has scribed lines that should match between the inner and outer ring. Mine were slightly off, as I recall they only allow 1/16th of an inch, mine was off at least that much so I changed it.

 

[AEdelheit]

I think it's one of those things where you think your motor is smooth until you feel one with a good damper then realize how smooth it can really be

 

[seafish]

I think it's one of those things where you think your motor is smooth until you feel one with a good damper then realize how smooth it can really be

Also maybe kind of like worn shocks...



You don't realize how worn they were until you put the new ones on !!! :-laf

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Good question

My motor is smooth as silk, so I would assume my stock damper is fine. Did yours get progressively worse, and that's why you changed?

P



This had started as a experiment for me. After reading all of the testimonials I was thinking that this really cant be that good. My stock damper showed no signs of deterioration and seemed to function well. I have always been displeased with a vibration noticeable in the shift lever when towing hard in 5th gear up the passes. That vibration is now GONE. the engine is smoother and seems to just do everything better. . This has to make a significant difference in engine timing and longevity.

 

[MChrist]

Gonzo, how many miles are on that truck?

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Not that many.

Gonzo, how many miles are on that truck?

I only have 120,000 on it. But like I said this truck had a bit of a vibration in the shifter from the time it was new.

 

[JimPatterson]

Figure every time an injector fires the crank flexes forward then back, these things really work to dampen the twisting.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

There is no way that the front cylinders are far off on timing because of torsional flex of the crank BUT any damping of that torsional flex has to make a difference to the life of the engine and some impact in efficiency. IMHO

 

[MChrist]

I wonder if having a heavier torque converter affects damping in a positive or negative manner. I know my Goerend converter is much heavier than stock, with most of the weight being in the part that bolts to the flex plate. My motor is smooth, except at around 1500 under load with TC in lockup mode. Any thoughts??

 

[Gonzo 1066]

The truck wos parked for the last 10 days. Took a load cross state today. Still I go WOW I could have not imagined this much difference.

 

[MChrist]

Gonzo, would you have described your motor as "smooth" before the swap?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Gonzo, would you have described your motor as "smooth" before the swap?

Sorry, don't mean to interject but I sure thought of mine as smooth. I had no running issues at all but the improvement is amazing.