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If you’ve got a classic Buick Grand National or you’re one of the lucky few to have gotten your grubby paws on a brand new Dodge Challenger Hellcat and you have a need for a strong, direct replacement damper for your potent powerplant, you’re in luck. Displayed prominently amongst ATI Performance Products’ plethora of racing drivertrain components are these two brand new dampers that, as ATI’s David Caine tells us, were responses to strong customer demand.
Both dampers are exact OEM replacements, with the Buick piece coming with external balancing like those from the factory, as well as an internal balanced model for those that want to build a motor but still retain all of the stock accessories. As Caine explains it, a stock Buick damper was graciously sent in by an eager customer, and the drawings for the product were made off that OEM part.
The GN damper has the trigger wheel and all just like a stock damper, and as mentioned, is available with a zero balance shell for those going aftermarket.
Says Caine, “When you look at the stock damper, there’s a pulley on the front and a little plastic fan that bolts on that front pulley. So we designed this front pulley so your stock fan bolts right on that. So as long as you have your fan, this is a complete damper replacement for your T-type Regal and Grand National. It’s 100-percent OEM dimensions.”
The stock dampers are OEM’s and that means lowest-bidder. They’re probably made for eleven bucks a piece and they come apart. Here you have something that’s making some steam and driving a supercharger, and it needs to be good. – David Caine.
“The stock dampers are OEM’s and that means lowest-bidder,” says Caine. “They’re probably made for eleven bucks a piece and they come apart. Here you have something that’s making some steam and driving a supercharger, and it needs to be good. The better damper you have, the better protection on the engine. so it’s twofold: better protection in general, and the overdrive.”
