Under the Hood: DodgeSRT-4
The balance shaft assembly hangs under the front three cylinders. While it could be removed in much the same way we removed the balance shafts on the QR25DE in our SE-R Spec-V rally car (being sure to plug the oil feed hole and add a windage tray), the SRT-4 engine has a longer stroke, more reciprocating mass from its beefier rods, and worse rod/stroke ratio, which causes more violent piston acceleration. Removing the balance shafts would probably free up 8 or 9 hp like it did on the Nissan engine, but engine vibration without the shafts would be far more severe than it was with the relatively lightweight QR25. Besides, with a turbo, the extra 9 hp would be more easily achieved with a hair more boost.
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