383/400 External Bal. - 168 tooth – 2pc RMS

This is a high quality flexplate. The plate section is thicker than the OEM stock model, and is double welded on each side. Warpage and run-out are nearly non-existent. We offer this flexplate as an upgrade on our rotating assemblies. Our engine builders and balance operators quickly noticed the lack of warpage and run-out that we commonly see on many other SFI plates on the market. Much damage to your starter and transmission front pump can result when using a flexplate with excessive warpage.

Out of round (run-out) is another problem with low quality plates and can be disastrous to your starter drive gear and motor. We have found the Pioneer brand plates to have a higher level of workmanship than any of the lower cost SFI plates on the market. Just because a flexplate is SFI rated has little to do with its overall quality. We find the Pioneer plates to be of exceptional quality. When we run these on our engines that are being dynoed, we have noticed that the sound of the starter when cranking is much quieter. The starter gear and ring gear seem to mesh together much better than other brands of flexplates we have used in the past. Considering that both brands of flexplates used were properly shimmed, we must conclude that the Pioneer plates have a better ring gear design.

There are so many poorly designed flexplates on the market, and they can certainly do damage to your engine or the components on your engine. Low quality, poorly designed ring gears and starter drives will destroy each other quickly, from what we have seen. Of course you must also properly shim your starter.

ot all OEM stock models are double welded, and some are very thin. Often you will see starters that have teeth worn or broken due to a worn ring gear on the flexplate. This is a good investment to protect your engine, transmission, and starter. These are SFI rated, with the SFI sticker on them. We use them on engines producing 800 hp at up to 7500 rpm.

Safety is another factor to consider. A stock or low quality flexplate is prone to break at very high rpm. A flexplate breaking up during high rpm is very dangerous.