I would also keep the balance tube. In our V8s, the cranks are all cross plane cranks. That is, the throws for the rods are each 90 degrees out. Versus a flat plane crank where throws are 180 degrees apart. What this does is add uneven firing to the cylinders. But does make for a smoother running engine. This uneven firing will "communicate" the air pulses back into the manifold. It really shouldn't matter too much with long tube but it is possible that the balance tube will help dampen the uneven pulses some.

Just my