well, just free thinking here, did they possibly do a 2nd tensioner because the one that was originally designed had a high failure rating, and they figured in the long run, rather than recalls and doing warranty engine replacements, they'd add a back up tensioner?

as for balance shafts, its a 2.2 with a long stroke that revs to almost 8k from the factory, im sure for guys such as me and you, the idle loping wouldnt be an issue, but it's one of the creature comforts that will appeal better to the masses.

cable shift trans...thats a toss up. i think everything for the 92 model year was cable shifted except the EG's. that may just be a manufacturers call.

its all speculatory though. it isnt a horrible car. its a car probably built right to its limits from the factory, but it was honda's hi-po car of the day, aside from the nsx.