I'm about to finish my build and I've read that you can free up some HP by removing the balancer shaft, I know there's a kit for it as well, but I was wondering how would it feel to drive without it? Is it worth the extra HP?

 

if you want your car to feel like a tank at idle or anytime go for it. its there for a very good reason. leave it on

 

is this personal experience or something you have read on the internet?

 

Bullshit. I can barely tell the difference after the shaft was removed from my built engine. Saying it'll feel like a tank is ridiculous.

 

I agree. I have removed them from more than one of my motors, and with stock mounts i barley noticed a difference.

 

x2

 

I had mine removed and I did not think it was that bad until I decided to put it back on and the motor revved so much smoother. I feel it its not worth the slight 2-3hp gain. It is there for a reason.

 

I have poly filled mounts and I noticed a difference. However it isn't something to die for. I actually like to be able to tell when my car is on instead of giving it gas.... it's just too quiet for me.

 

Personally i think you should just remove the belt if you want a few more hp. I dont think its personally worth pulling the motor to install the kit. I did it, while the motor was out but i wouldnt pull a motor just to remove the balance shafts.

Plus if you dont like it, its much easier to go back to the way it was.

 

Unless this is motor that's only used for competition, I'd just leave them in. Joel did a back to back comparison and found only a 2whp difference.

And if you do want to run the engine without them, x2 for just cutting the belt. You're not going to do anything other than save a few pounds from removing them from the block. I'd only think about actually removing them when using a H23/F22 crank.

 

So, does it make any difference just to cut the belt ?

 

I did a timing belt on my buddies 93 accord (f23).Left the balancer belt off, He noticed an increase in MPGs and more power uphills at light throttle. When I drove it afterwards,to me, it felt like any other 90-93 Accord. All inline 4 cyl engines have an inherant vibration because of the firing order and the way the crankshaft is shaped.(staight up and down). Honda like Toyota and others tried to reduce this vibration on top line vehicles like the Accord,Prelude, and Camry,on their larger displcement I4. The civic didnt use balacer shafts until 2003 K20 engine. I got that info from A Honda instructor at Honda Tech school in Denver.

I left it off my Euro-r H22, No problems.

 

It's cuz I'm building this H23vtec and the motor is out and disassembled so I thought it might be a good idea but the balance removal kits are around 100 bucks, and for the hp gains you said it increases, I'll just leave it on.

 

the prelude i rode in a while back had a horrible idle and off idle with the belt off. there must have been more to it than what he was telling me (bad motor mount or very stiff ones, or whatever else) he to did notice better mpg though. sorry but this is the experiance i had with them.

 

I believe the vibration is more prominent in 2+ liter engines. Wasn't the Quad4 the first to try balance shafts? And replacing a loose timing belt always adds a little spunk to any motor

 

On my 97mm stroker I noticed a significant amount of vibration at some rpms (around cruising speeds) with the BS belt removed. I have stock 4th gen mounts and heavy cast H22 pistons. I fyou run some forged pistons o anything that's significant'y lighter it will less of an issue.

Lighter is always better. But if this is a daily driver I'd leave them running. Not worth the 2whp, I reinstalled mine.

Pirate

 

I have to agree with Pirate - Mine had a broken motor mount when I got it as well as broken balancer belt. The front bumper would barely stay on. Fixed motor mounts (stock) and fixed most of the problem, but there is still some vibration. Mine is most noticable at idle. When the preludes were new, you could barely feel the engine running. I would rather have the silky smooth honda operation for a daily driver.