balance shaft elimination - Honda Prelude Forum

toofastprelude · 07-15-2003, 12:06 AM

is there a way that we can totally eliminate the balance shafts in our 4g h series motors? i have seen it done on many dsm's and a lot of old v8 cars to increase hp but is there a kit or any way it can be done to our ludes that anyone knows of. even if it takes replacing all internals, would it be possible to do w/o crank walk and still have it so you dont feel to much vibration inside the car

brendon2k · 07-15-2003, 09:34 AM

By design a 4 cylinder is not a balanced engine with out balancer shafts. With a small 4 cylinder you can get away with out balancer shafts because the engine does not cause a great deal of vibration. Our engines are fairly large 4 cylinders and would not be the smoothest thing with out them. There has people that has been said to have done this on their preludes with no negative effects(don't know about 20-30k down the road). I don't thin crank walk would be an issue on our cars anyway.

prelude styl · 07-15-2003, 09:54 AM

The answer to all your questions is yes.

There's a kit out there to completely eliminate the balance shafts from the motor, but obviously it requires taking apart the motor, then you install seals, and also have to modify a bearing or 2 I think. In any case, it's not worth the trouble by any means. If you want to just dissable the balance shafts, like many of the people on this board have done including myself, is just to take off the belt, thats it. There is a slight vibration you can feel between 2200ish~3500ish rpms, but after a lil, you don't even notice it's there anymore.. I don't.

X01VTEC · 07-15-2003, 04:52 PM

wouldnt the balance shaft behind the water pump still be turning if you just removed the belt... maybe im wrong im not looking at anything in front of me.

99_SH · 07-15-2003, 05:03 PM

No, the balance shafts are driven by the balancer belt only. Just remove the belt, no need to get the plugs and completley remove the shafts. Its a realtivley simple(but time consuming) process...

slp mode · 07-15-2003, 06:53 PM

I agree with p style, and 99 sh, It is no way worth it to tear down the whole motor just to do that. I removed my balancer shaft belt and components, and I couldn't even feel a vibration. It is worth removing just the belt.

toofastprelude · 07-15-2003, 08:12 PM

well who makes the kit and where can i buy it, i am completely rebuilding my h23 for high comp. all motor, including bigger pistons, new rods and seals so i might as well eliminate the balance shafts while im at it. are there any negatives to doing this besides the vibration which i dont mind. i do have es motor mounts inserts all around will that make it much worse

slp mode · 07-15-2003, 08:28 PM

Well if your completely rebiulding your h23, get the h22 head, and you'll really be happy. I know as soon as people read this they are gonna be like :it will blow up: but no it won't keep it at 7500 and she'll last. I've done it.