General 1967-2002 F-Body Tech For general F-Body discussion that does not fit in any other forum.
For F-Body Technical/Information Discussion ONLY

What is really the advantage of an aluminum driveshaft?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-16-2004, 08:15 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Black6SpdTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 2,043
What is really the advantage of an aluminum driveshaft?

I've got an AL D/S sitting in the garage from my old 3rd gen. I could easily swap it in the T/A but I'm low on money and another ~$100 would do me well With that said:

What is really the advantage? Losing ~10lbs is all I see. I won't be making serious power for another 3-4 years. Should I just sell it? If so, what do they normally go for? Thanks!
Black6SpdTA is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 08:18 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
roadrage912's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143
but that 10 lb loss is all rotational mass, not dead weight. i would swap it if it was me. it'll help out more than u think.
roadrage912 is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 08:19 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
GreenDemon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mishawaka, IN
Posts: 1,771
Less rotating mass, plus I've never heard of the aluminum one deciding to lose it at high speed- some of the steel ones seem to vibrate, although I would think that it's because they're not balanced right or something.
GreenDemon is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 08:35 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Hyperspeed97z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Upstate, NY (Albany area)
Posts: 3,615
install it, you'll be happy you did . smooth at high speeds
Hyperspeed97z28 is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 08:43 PM
  #5  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Black6SpdTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 2,043
So there shouldn't be any balancing issues? I was worried I'd get it in and then have to get it balanced. Geuss I'll just swap it in when doing my oil change next week. Thanks.

-Corey
Black6SpdTA is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 08:47 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
teke184's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: US 1 Mile Marker 52 in the Florida Keys
Posts: 8,323
if its an alum one from a third gen, that makes it a 1LE version...light, strong, and well balanced

you'll probably pick up about 5-8lbs or torque with less rotaional mass

and there will be less vibration at high speeds.

and you can sell the steel one for $50 probably...V6 guys love them
teke184 is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 09:11 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
Terran2k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: texas
Posts: 986
why do v6 guys love them?
Terran2k is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 09:14 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
ABA383's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Littlestown, PA
Posts: 1,903
Another vote for aluminum..been running an LPE 3.5" aluminum since 1995 with no problems...it has handled 420rwhp for almost 10 years...Anytime you reduce rotating mass, no matter how slight it is a big deal...Its never even had to be re-balanced...
--Alan
ABA383 is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 09:32 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
GreenDemon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mishawaka, IN
Posts: 1,771
Originally posted by Terran2k
why do v6 guys love them?
Some of the V-6s produced came with 2 piece steel driveshafts that were not as strong as the one-piecers. However, the 2 piece did tend to have less vibrational problems. I think that's why they made them like that actually, the reason they didn't make it over to the V-8 models is because they probably weren't strong enough. It's a cheap way for people with V-6 f-bodies to run torque levels way above stock and not have to worry about anything.
GreenDemon is offline  
Old 05-16-2004, 11:55 PM
  #10  
Registered User
 
tombodad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: WA
Posts: 116
Wait a second. Did anyy ls1's come stock with aluminium driveshafts? Becuase I recently replaced the clutch on my stock z28 (98) and i have an aluminium driveshaft. Is this aftermarket?
tombodad is offline  
Old 05-17-2004, 12:13 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
zoomjrl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 340
yes the autos with the gear package and all 6-speeds came with aluminum d/s. someone will prob pipe in the code
zoomjrl is offline  
Old 05-17-2004, 02:43 AM
  #12  
Registered User
 
Xride's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,622
I think your alum drive shaft is useless and not worth anything.

now tell me you paypal so I can send you the 100 USD to take it off your hands.




Seriously though, let me know if you want to part with it.
Xride is offline  
Old 05-17-2004, 06:33 AM
  #13  
Registered User
 
teke184's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: US 1 Mile Marker 52 in the Florida Keys
Posts: 8,323
all regular v8 models from 93 to 97 came equipped with a steel shaft, however the 1le production models came equipped with a 3.5" (maybe 3") aluminum shaft, the same shaft that was available on the 1le 3rd gens.

all ls1 equipped cars with 6spd trans or the auto/3.23 gear option came equipped with the aluminum driveshaft. and i am not sure if it was all or some of the auto/2.73 gear equipped cars STEEL shaft.

all driveshafts are interchangable from 83 till 02...steel or alum...v6 or v8
teke184 is offline  
Old 05-17-2004, 02:05 PM
  #14  
Registered User
 
Xride's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,622
Originally posted by teke184
however the 1le production models came equipped with a 3.5" (maybe 3") aluminum shaft, the same shaft that was available on the 1le 3rd gens.
thats not true, 4th get LT1 1LE's did NOT have the aluminium DS.
Xride is offline  
Old 05-17-2004, 02:09 PM
  #15  
Registered User
 
teke184's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: US 1 Mile Marker 52 in the Florida Keys
Posts: 8,323
really?? you sure?

if so...i stand corrected
teke184 is offline  


Quick Reply: What is really the advantage of an aluminum driveshaft?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:29 AM.