im looking to eliminate the balance shafts in my evo8 and im not sure what direction to go in..
those of you out there that have already done it-

-are you running a stub shaft or a machined down stock one like the one AMS recommends??

-and if it is a stub shaft, what do you recommend? JAM says that they have the most complete kit?

just looking for some opinions, thanks

 

Our kit comes with everything you need to do the removal and utilizes the stub shaft. The reported downside is that there is a lack of support for the oil pump gears when the stock shaft is removed but we haven't seen any actual evidence of that.

 

I have built multiple engines using the stub shaft (which is a mitsu part) and never had any problems with the oil pump because of it. I will admit that I do like the extra support that the machined down shaft offers but I have never had a problem without it. If you can get a machined shaft easily then I would prefer that but would not be scared to run the stub. Good luck!

 

Just got my engine put together with the AMS kit. It feels great with the balanced assembly, barely any more vibration at all.

 

thanks for the quick replies. i appreciate the advice..
JAM does your kit remove the balance shaft gear on the crankshaft as well?

 

It does. I just used the JAM kit for my build. Came with everything, including new BS bearings to block off the oil passages.

 

Why do you want to get rid of them? I know DSMs had issues with belts breaking and such but EVOs have been rock solid. I love a nice smooth engine.

 

thanks, im calling jam tomorrow

 

I have the JAM kit as well, so far, so good. I haven't noticed any increased vibration, but I have a 2.0. A 2.3 is probably a different story.

 

I have been running the AMS kit for the past 20K miles. So far so good.

Although I will say that the combination of mods (new pistons, rods, no balance shafts) did not work well with the stock ECU (lots of phantom knock between 3000-4000 RPM). Given the RPM range of the phantom knock, I suspect the lack of balance shafts was a significant contributor. Things are working much better now that I've gone to a standalone EMS.

l8r)

 

definitely not something we recommend doing with a stroker. we retain the shafts on our 2.3 builds.

the kit does eliminate the bs belt drive sprocket. it includes bearings to block the oil holes, the spacer that takes the place of the sprocket, a plug to fill the hole where the rear shaft was, the stub shaft, star washer and o-ring.