6 bolt balance shafts delete?

[Colinssweeney]

Hey I know a lot of people do balance shaft deletes on 7 bolts because of the crank issues. Is it also normal to delete the balance shafts on a 6 bolt? If they are removed does it cause issues?

 

[chrisman287]

Higher oil pressure is usually a result of eliminating the balance shafts.

 

[wparks]

Well, the balance shafts are there to eliminate several vibration harmonics that come from the rotating assembly, so with the shafts removed the engine is often described as "more buzzy".

I did this on my 6-bolt and while that is noticeable, I have been very happy- the smaller timing belt (b-belt) behind the main (just to run the front balance shaft) is a real reliability headache. It is the first to get soaked in oil from a bad seal, it's tensioner sucks, and more often then not it is this smaller belt that fails, tangles in the main timing belt and your valves are lost.

Removing the balance shafts also removes a fair amount of rotating friction and rotating mass from your engine, freeing it to rev faster and deliver more power to the wheels. It is not a modification for an amateur- there is a cam style bearing for one of the balance shafts that has to be pulled and rotated or the oil passage way otherwise blocked. A special aftermarket oil pump is required, often offered as part of a kit to do this.

There is lots of information on the forum and VFAQ on this mod.

 

[pauleyman]

Hey I know a lot of people do balance shaft deletes on 7 bolts because of the crank issues. Is it also normal to delete the balance shafts on a 6 bolt? If they are removed does it cause issues?

It has nothing to do with "crank issues"

 

[spyderdrifter]

I've done balance shaft deletes on just about every 6 and 7 bolt engine I've built, and never had any issues, and the extra vibration was nearly unnoticeable, even with poly mounts.

 

[steve]

With the balance shafts eliminated and poly mounts my car vibrates the steering wheel at idle but it goes away as soon as the car starts moving.

 

[CrackedDSM]

No issues at all, and you don’t need a special case either. You can cut the balance shaft that runs the pump a little past so it hangs out and do one of two things 1) just use a longer bolt for the gear that blocks the hole beneath the gear on the shaft 2) drill and tap the hole on the cut shaft and block it off with a threaded plug.


The rest is standard BSE procedure. I’d honestly recommend it for every build. If you’re that worried about vibration you need to buy a Lexus or Caddy. Or you shouldn’t be modifying cars.

Also: higher oil pressure can be relieved by porting the relief valve on the OFH.