[Showtime]

Marcy Motorsport posted over at focaljet that he's got the 2.3 balance shaft delete kit on sale for $19. Since it's pocket change I went ahead and ordered one. From what people have posted, it makes the car pull a little harder and drops something like 13lbs from the front end. I'm waiting until I need an oil change to put it on.

 

[Cross Bolt]

     Showtime: I don’t want to discourage you but here is what I see. One thing that I don’t like about this engine is that it has no keyway cut in the snout of the crankshaft. That means that the harmonic balancer bolt is working overtime. The engineers have blessed this engine with the twin balance shaft that counteracts vibrations, while running at twice the speed of the crankshaft.
  If you remove it, there is no doubt the engine will rev quicker but at a possible risk. Harmonics could loosen or even break the bolt. If that happens, you might be looking for an E-Bay engine that is hard to find. I have been looking for one and they aren’t around.
  Inline 4 cylinder engines have always had the harmonic vibration problem with the exception of those running the balance shaft.
  I hate to be the old fogy but I am just trying to save you a big headache.

 

[cos]

I have to agree - for longevity/reliabilty I'd let the balance shafts do their job and keep the 2.3 s-m-o-o-t-h. I plan to get 120k + out of my 2.3.