GM Ecotec Balance Shaft Delete Kit – Cloyes Short Chain

Cloyes-chain Ecotec balance shaft and sprocket removal

This short-chain conversion uses Cloyes chain components to remove both balance shafts and their sprockets while retaining the mechanical water pump. Check the included parts and exact engine fitment before ordering.

Learn more about the Ecotec balance shaft delete kit by following this link.

The GM Ecotec Cloyes Short Chain Balance Shaft Delete Kit was developed for high RPM GM Ecotec racing engines where simplified oiling, reduced rotating mass, and improved reliability are important for sustained performance.

Factory balance shafts were originally designed to reduce vibration and improve comfort in OEM street vehicles — not for dedicated racing environments, sustained high RPM operation, aggressive cornering loads, or high horsepower performance applications.

As engine speed and load increase, the factory balance shaft assembly adds additional rotating mass, oiling complexity, chain load, and potential failure points that many racers and engine builders prefer to eliminate in serious competition engines.

The Cloyes Short Chain conversion replaces the factory balance shaft drive system with a simplified short chain water-pump drive configuration commonly used in high RPM Ecotec builds. This setup removes unnecessary rotating components while simplifying the lower end oiling system for a simpler drive layout.

Unlike cut shaft or neutral balance shaft setups, the short chain system completely removes the factory balance shaft assembly and related rotating components for a cleaner and more complete racing conversion.

Performance Benefits

• Reduced rotating mass
• Simplified oiling system
• Eliminates factory balance shaft assembly
• Reduced water pump drive complexity
• Improved reliability in racing applications
• Reduced potential failure points
• Cleaner lower end engine configuration
• Ideal for high RPM and dedicated race engines

Features

• Genuine Cloyes short chain components
• Precision-engineered water pump drive conversion
• Designed specifically for GM Ecotec engines
• High-quality components for demanding racing environments
• Simplified short chain water-pump drive configuration
• Eliminates factory balance shaft assembly

Compatibility

Compatible with many GM Ecotec engines including:

2.0L Ecotec
• LSJ
• LNF
• LDK
• LHU

2.2L Ecotec
• L61
• LAP
• LE8

2.4L Ecotec
• LE5
• LE9
• LAT
• LAF
• LEA
• LUK

Compatible with many:

• Chevrolet Cobalt
• Chevrolet HHR
• Pontiac G5
• Pontiac Solstice
• Saturn Ion
• Saturn Sky
• Chevrolet Cavalier Ecotec swaps
• Other GM Ecotec applications

Ideal Applications

• Circle track racing
• Drag racing
• Road racing
• Turbocharged Ecotec builds
• Supercharged Ecotec builds
• High RPM naturally aspirated engines
• Dedicated race engines

High-RPM race engines often combine short chain balance shaft delete systems with upgraded valvetrain control packages for improved sustained RPM reliability and reduced valvetrain instability.

Customers commonly pair the GM Ecotec Cloyes Short Chain Balance Shaft Delete Kit with 83lb valve springs, solid lash adjusters, adjustable cam gears, upgraded timing components, oil filter canister bypass systems, and oil temperature monitoring upgrades for improved durability in demanding racing environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a balance shaft delete cost?
The cost of a balance shaft delete kit varies by engine platform and brand. This Cloyes kit is a racing-focused Ecotec balance shaft delete kit designed for GM Ecotec applications.

Does a balance shaft affect engine performance?
Yes. Balance shafts can help reduce vibration in street-driven engines, but in racing applications they can add rotating mass, oiling complexity, and potential failure points. Many builders remove them for dedicated high RPM use.

What’s Included

• Cloyes shortened chain balance shaft delete components
• Required installation hardware
• Components required for short chain water pump drive conversion

Installation Notes

• Professional installation recommended
• Verify oil clearances and oil pressure during assembly
• Proper engine balancing procedures recommended
• Intended for off-road and racing applications only

Designed for serious high RPM GM Ecotec racing applications.

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