balance shaft and timing chain
 

can the balance shaft be eliminated?
is the timing chain for the 4.3 the same as the sbc.
the motor i have is a 98 vortec.

can i just swap intake manifolds from a 95 to 98? are they the same motors except for the intake?
thank you

RE: balance shaft and timing chain
 

What would be the motivation for removing the balance shaft?

You could check timing set numbers from various websites... Seeing as how it has the balance shaft, I would initially say that it would not be the same.

You cannot swap the intake from a 95 to a 98. The bolts are vertical in the 98, they are perpendicular to the intake to head interface on the 95.