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Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Old Feb 17, 2012 | 05:31 PM
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LexLT1-Z28's Avatar
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Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

A Ebay seller (not me) want $130 shipped for a alum ls1 driveshaft. Is it worth it before I hit the buy it now? I'm thinking it would be a slight help with performance for my LT1.
Old Feb 17, 2012 | 06:57 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Sounds a bit high to me. I also doubt you will feel any performance difference. The aluminum shaft was mainly to combat vibration issues.
Old Feb 17, 2012 | 08:00 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

I though it might back a difference in weight of the car and also since's it's lighter it would take less horsepower to turn it.
Old Feb 17, 2012 | 09:25 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Go to ws6.com - there is dyno test of an aluminum driveshaft install.
Old Feb 18, 2012 | 10:22 AM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

i think i paid $100 for mine, though not sure if shipping was extra? they are pretty common on ebay so you can always watch a few for a price range.
Old Feb 18, 2012 | 12:49 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Drivetrain Modifications #1. worth it IMO.
Old Feb 18, 2012 | 01:23 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

100 is a good price for a used ls drive shaft. No performance gain but they are balanced. I figure any gain in torque from weight reduction in total is lost with the weight in moment placement. (the aluminium is wider) Any way Id look for a slightly cheaper one since its really a crap shoot on good U-joints with used drive shafts.
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 12:28 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

I'm interested in an LS1 driveshaft depending on what kind of use has it seen (M6 or A4). I make close to 500 RWHP and I'm a little nervous about using an aluminum shaft ..however; I think it might be ok as long as it's just on the street and I don't launch from a dead stop or bang gears frequently (I have a DS loop but I hate using it on the street because of clearance issues). I have the classic old high speed vibration (the TSB) felt in 6th gear and through process of elimination have ruled out all causes except potential axle warpage or M6 tailshaft warpage. It's subtle enough that I don't care to "mask it" with an aluminum shaft if that will get rid of most of it. I currently have a HD Denny's steel shaft and did various sound deadening on lots of parts with SD-undercoating. It helped some but I'm ready to try an aluminum shaft since that was the factory's default solution that probably "fixed" more than one problem. Don't want to spend money on the 10-bolt because one day a 12-bolt will be there anyway.

Wonder if it would hold up on the street to ~500 rwhp, 295/35/18 Firehawks and an M6?
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 04:16 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Interesting picture. This was an LT1 with a small blower on it:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/348183...-camaro/page-3
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 09:22 AM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Originally Posted by Injuneer
Interesting picture. This was an LT1 with a small blower on it:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/348183...-camaro/page-3
lol I know, I searched a little after posting this thread and saw several similar pictures LOL, wow what a POS hahaha. You can surely tell how they're so light. Well, I still want to get rid of my high speed vibs the easy way (bolt on an aluminum shaft). If anyone wants to trade a heavier (maybe 3.5"?) aluminum shaft for a nice sturdy Denny's HD shaft let me know, I would be willing to pay a little on the trade. The Denny's shaft is great, I had the vib' before and after it, it has nothing to do with it and it's maybe had six or seven 1/8 mile passes and non abusive street use.
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 09:24 AM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Hey before I seach does anyone know about the strength of the 1LE shafts? If anyone knows of a good deal on a HD aluminum shaft let me know please, thanks.
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

The aluminum shaft is a cheap easy swap. All the ls1 guys got them from the factory and are still using and then, and ALOT of lt1 guys do it too.

I got mine for like 120$ shipped. Its about the going rate nowadays, if you bought them years ago they seemed to have cost less, i think the people on ebay realized there is a market for them.

I noticed less vibration, and it just felt like it was more nimble on take off. hp gain? prolly not.
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 12:57 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Anyone know if this one's any good ("Shaftmasters")? It's only 3" but claimed to have the strength of most 3.5" and has sound deadener in it:

Camaro/Firebird Aluminum Driveshaft 1967-2002 | eBay
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 01:41 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Driveshaft Critical Speed

Calulator to determine critical spped for d/s.
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 01:59 PM
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Re: Buying a drive shaft, is this a good deal?

Originally Posted by pgerst
Driveshaft Critical Speed

Calulator to determine critical spped for d/s.
Thanks, at a glance (which is all I have time for at the moment) I have no clue how to use it and calculate over 5,000 lbs of torsional yield for a common shaft LOL! ...OE of some kind I guess.

Well anyway if someone can recommend a good aluminum shaft that doesn't break the bank and can support ~450 - 500 RWHP on street tires through an M6 (without lots of abuse) let me know please. Or ....I'm interested in trading my sturdy HD Denny's steel shaft for a slightly less strong aluminum shaft.

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