So it begins: engine removal Atom2 brammo 2006 Ecotec LSJ aka "Max"..

**Jeffgtx** · February 11, 2014, 01:31 PM

Very cool. What specifically do you attribute the improved smoothness to?

**MadMaxAtom** · February 11, 2014, 02:39 PM

I'm going to say the Lindskog dynamic balancing is what did the trick. It really is quite a dramatic difference over stock...and in stock configuration,there were two 3lb. "unbalanced" balance shafts spinning at twice crank speed to neutralize the engine vibrations. I would think GM/Saab would just balance everything dynamically to eliminate vibrations rather than the setup they use. Maybe I'm missing something,but to me the Lindskog setup seems better with a lot less hardware. Maybe it's not possible to do it economically on a mass production scale…?

**RyanD** · February 14, 2014, 05:23 AM

Is it smooth at all RPM? I cut off my balance shafts, and I have some vibration at a certain RPM. It's not a big deal, but that's interesting that you have none at all.

**MadMaxAtom** · February 14, 2014, 07:03 AM

Ryan,I wouldn't say there is none at all,but it is substantially less than stock. At idle speed,it is virtually zero. At around 3k there is a bit of a buzz..about like stock,but that's it. At 6.5k it's eerie smooth. I am very happy with the results,although I haven't taken it for a romp because of the typical Ma. shitty-ass-suck-hole weather. Two more years and I'll be heading for Az..

**McFred** · February 14, 2014, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by MadMaxAtom

I would think GM/Saab would just balance everything dynamically to eliminate vibrations rather than the setup they use.

Inline 4 engines cannot be perfectly balanced as you describe. The two pistons/rods going up don't exactly cancel the two going down. That's what the balance shafts are for. Lighter/smaller engines sometimes don't bother with it, as in motorcycles. Larger rod ratios help some too.

**MadMaxAtom** · February 14, 2014, 08:02 AM

I'm sure factory balancing is done primarily to get maximum results (smoothness) in the "normal" operating RPM range...probably in the 2-4k area,with minimum expense. Custom balancing tends to favor higher operating ranges. This is why Lindskog asks what the purpose of the engine will be. Makes sense to me.