I think we could use a neutral balance shaft how-to on installing said shafts without removing the engine from the car. Anyone done this that could contribute?

 

ive never done it in a car, or the neutral shafts, but i have put in a level zero motorsports balance shaft delete kit in a motor i built. you would need to drop the subframe down on the passenger side, drop the motor down, remove the mount, crank pully, timing cover, and you need enough room to pull the shafts out, im not sure if there is enough room for that. but its not really any harder than puling the old shafts out and installing the neutral ones.

 

Considering the lack of room is one thing but the timing chain set-up on this engine is not for the novice mechanic. Unlike other engines when you align the timing chain colored links to their respective locations on the cams and crank you can't just turn the engine over 2 times to make sure you got it right. It takes over 30 turns before the marks realign so you HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! Sorry for the "yelling" but it is very important In order to remove the balance shafts you have to remove the timing chain -- no way around it -- two separate chain drives.

 

so our How to should read something like this.

1. buy neutral balance shafts
2. drive to mechanic
3. pay mechanic
4. drive away at 8k rpms

Sound good?