Warning About ATI Super Damper
 

* Note: Although this thread is based off a VQ35HR, it applies to the VQ37VHR too, and the part number is interchangeable.
** I've contacted one member on here with an identical part from ATI, and he encountered the same issue on his VQ37VHR (G37sHKS)

This thread is intended to warn others of my experience with ATI Racing for their VQ35HR/VQ37VHR super damper. While I know ATI is well known across the board for producing quality dampers, my experience with them has been anything but good.

Summary:

• Ordered VQ35HR/VQ37VHR Super Damper from them directly
• Assured it would fit, not listed on website as it is a "new item"
• Received item, shop attempted install, no dice. Dipstick tube is in the way
• Tube MUST be relocated in order for the damper to fit
• Appears as though the design is straight off the VQ35DE, with the dipstick off to the side
• Called several times for technical support, promised a call back, never got a call back. Days later, requested refund (received).

Full Story:

I purchased a VQ35HR Super Damper directly from ATI as the part wasn't listed on their website or on any vendors. Their two sales reps, Rick and Charlie, both mentioned that I was the first to order this part (#918565). I got the Super Damper Wednesday (4/23), and had R/T Tuning attempt the install Thursday (4/24).

The shop found that there is no way to fit the damper to the HR, to me it seems as though they copied the VQ35DE design and just changed the part number (dipstick location on a DE is off to the side, whereas on the HR/VHR it's in front). The pictures attached show the clearance and that the super damper rubs against the dipstick, an inch of clearance is still needed before the damper can even be pressed onto the crankshaft.

I called and spoke to several people in their tech support, eventually talking with Rob to find a solution. His claims were:

1) "We've sold 50 to 70 of these dampers on the HR/VHR motor and never had any issues" - The first two people told me they haven't, and I've yet to find an HR build that uses the ATI Super damper (except Sasha's car, but using a dry sump system eliminates that stick).

2) "The front cover may sometimes vary from motor to motor". Regardless, the dipstick location remains the same, so does the pulley location.

3) "We sometimes piece together products based on what customers have requested in the past and what's worked for them" Obviously this isn't a setup for the HR/VHR.

There was no clearance at all to properly install the damper. The comparison picture is a lightweight pulley, although both OEM and lightweight pulleys are tapered from the rear to clear the dipstick tube. The ATI, on the other hand, is not. I found ONE member with a VQ37VHR that had a similar damper (design looks identical) with a different part #'s purchased years ago. He encountered the same issue I did - with no possibility of "bending" the dipstick tube enough to clear the super damper.

Although I've received my refund, I'm still out 1.75 hours on labor charges, and they were hesitant in even allowing a refund, claiming that "once installed, we can't take it back". When I mentioned that it was clearly possible to even install it, I was told he'd talk to the person in charge and get a call back. Never did, and never got a call back about the install tech support either.

http://i61.tinypic.com/29mshmp.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/1fxtzr.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2elfqx4.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/htekop.jpg

almost all of the HR/Vhr dampers sold are for dry sump aplications AKA no dipstick at all. ATI didn't design it it started as a custom piece for the race teams can't remember wo came up with it first, and after that ati listed it. Fitment wise though it was designed for the drysump cars only so no dice if you have a dipstick.

I wish they would've informed me of that before ordering the damper. When I did mention the lack of fitment, the first excuse was "the front cover varies since Nissan sometimes uses it across applications". There's also no mention of it on their website.

Still got my money back thankfully, just lost labor costs.

Yeah they didn't develop **** in it they were told it went on a 370 by the guy who drew it up on the custom damper form so thats how they listed it. Just as an aside the elastomer they ship in it is not actually tuned for the engine either it is a best guess they made based on the de and and bore stroke dimensions. if you are hardcore racing it it is best to call ati and setup an apointment for them to use the harmonic analyzer to actually tune out the vibrations in the engine, if you don't plan to sit at 7000rpm for a couple hours don't worry about it otherwise.