Balance chain removal

link?

 

My wife's SRT-4 has it done.

Actually her chain and the whole balance shaft assembly has been removed from her engine. The entire assembly weighs probably like 40lbs (assuming)... well its pretty heavy. I threw it in the trash.

Its a safe mod to do and yes you gain power from it... the claims are 10hp removing the chain.

This isn't a new mod and has been in other trends of automobiles like DSM owners...

In perspective, the chain, if the tensioner or its related plastic components that hold it in place crack/break/etc there goes your engine. So those who are 300whp+ this is a must. I know there's people out there with the chain still and pushing past that and they are taking a risk.

I've yet to do this on my SRT-4 but will be soon.

 

If you have motor mount inserts or solid mounts already you won't notice much change in vibration lol. We actually didn't experience hardly any on her car. But she's got cams, MM inserts and all that other jazz so its really hard to tell.

Doesn't vibrate as bad as some people claim... some are just exaggerating because they are used to comfort vs performance haha.

The write up should be right step by step. I couldn't help you much there as we removed the whole unit completely on my wife's car.

Make sure you buy a new oil pan gasket. I don't recommend re-using the gasket.

 

There's a few on here that will vouch for Boomba mounts, I cannot say I will.

Bwoody or AGP is your best bet if you want solids IMO.

 

when you remove it make sure to rotate the crank around a couple times and pull the balance shaft assembly and check to make sure you got all the pieces

 

I LOVE my bwoody's

 

i love my ghetto mounts lol. i actually have a AGP tranny mount now but i noticed little to no difference.

OP: i forgot to add that i did feel a difference when i cut my chain

 

I'm planning on doing this soon, and picking up the crank-scrapers.com oil pan gasket that acts as a crank scraper.

http://www.crank-scrapers.com/Chrysler.html

 

just a little FYI....You do NOT NEED to remove the whole assembly. If all you do is cut the chain, then just be sure you have all the pieces and close her back up.

If you remove the whole assembly, then there is an oil feed hole that need to be plugged up. Again, it is not necessary to remove the whole thing, but like it was stated, it does weigh a little bit.

 

^^^ 300 HP is NOT the power level where this piece needs to be removed. I would think 400 HP is the mark. I'm just at 400 and zero problems with it installed. Mopar Stage 3 is advertised as 360 HP w/ HOM and there is no mention of removing the balance chain.

If you removed the entire assembly you will have to add more oil to the engine to account for the balance shaft not displacing the oil, from what I've read.

I want to do this, but am kinda afraid of the vibration it may present.

 

I'm glad you brought that up.....

If you remove the whole assembly, you need to install a windage tray.....

I can't remember if just adding more oil will do the trick.....I think you might be able to do one or the other......I think....

 

You don't have to install a windage tray if you remove the whole assembly but its an option.

You do have to plug the oil hole if you remove the whole balance shaft assembly.

You will be running 6-6.5qts of oil depending on your oil mods as well.

We are not running a windage tray on my wife's car and the whole balance shaft assembly has been removed and its been like that for months with no ill effects. We have the DCR oil pump and big filter kit and left the stock pick up tube. Eventually we will get the DCR pick up tube with a windage tray.

Depending on engine life and wear and tear as to when the chain needs to be removed not always based on horsepower. Under extreme heat or conditions that plastic pieces that hold the chain in place can crack/break... causing the chain to be off balance and good bye motor.

Peace of mind is just removing it and getting it out of the way.

Those worried about vibration...
It takes sacrafices to play and I can say my wife's SRT-4's vibration compare to my SRT-4 is just a tad bit more. She's got cams, MM inserts and the whole balance shaft assembly removed. All I have is MM inserts and transmission inserts.

If you've modded cars and been into the scene for quite sometime a little more vibration shouldn't hinder your drivability. Both my wife and I's SRT-4's are our daily drivers and get driven everyday.

If you have solid mounts (engine/transmission) then you already have massive vibration so a little more shouldn't bother you. I don't like solid mounts due to the horrid vibration that comes from them so I prefer inserts.

 

i made sure to remove the chain when i did my engine build. 400+ REALLY needs this mod..

 

You better have lol... you had that engine in pieces! You've gotten in those break-in miles yet? How's the car running?

 

sitting close to 3k miles and 15 psi....

 

All you need to do is take off the chain...But...I guess since you'll have the oil pan off anyways, you might as well take out the whole thing. It's just going to be dead weight....