Richard, I do not recall any issue that we have not been on the same page, but stand by with my position on these 2 parts!
If someone is building a performance engine and cannot afford the proper parts, they should wait until they can afford them.
A SFI flexplate is about $120-130, and a steel TA SFI balancer list is $290.
Having seen many stock, cast iron balancers give up on stock engines, I would never use a stock one on a performance build.
A balancer should have a tight fit on the crankshaft like the TA unit to do its job properly, not a loose slip fit.
I have replaced many stock flexplates due to cracking, and any mods to it would make it weaker.