Recently my car has been vibrating through the shifter a pretty good amount, especially when ripping on it in lower gears. I thought maybe the trans mount was on it's way out but from what I can tell without taking it out it appears to be in ok shape. I've attached a couple pictures below, if anyone has any good ideas on what it may possibly be I'd appreciate the feedback. It may also just be the spotty tune and cam from the previous owner but I am no means an expert on this for sure. I could also take a video if needed and post it. I've got a cheap Samsung phone so try not to roast me too bad on the picture quality.

Thanks, Grant

 

Grant,

Are the wheels balanced? No missing wheel-weights?
If you can put the car up on a frame lift, it should be easy for a mechanic to locate the problem while you run the car up there.
If this is a recent change, I would suspect that the driveshaft in unbalanced now (as in, lost a balance-weight somehow, maybe by rust or road hazards).
A well-balanced drive shaft will not vibrate, even when the transmission mounts are lame.
You may also have a bad U-joint, but you should hear that easily when shifting repeatedly between Drive and Reverse, while holding the brakes.
A bad U-joint is a serious safety issue, and cheap to fix (compared to most car repairs). Don't put it off, if you need a new one.
Beyond that, things can get pricey. Check the easy stuff first.

Keep us posted.
.

 

The vibration that is occurring is present at idle when the car is not in motion. Therefore I don't believe it is an unbalanced wheel. This vibration has been present in the instance before my aluminum Ls1 driveshaft when I had the stock steel one and after. I replaced both U-Joints on the driveshaft before installing it, I totally agree. I don't plan on wanting to lose a driveshaft on the highway anytime soon for sure. This is what led me to believe it was my tune that I have no knowledge about. The shifter vibrates back and forth a little at idle, once gas to maybe 2k rpm the shifter "straightens out" per say and does not move side to side. Thanks for the info, Grant.

 

Looks like a polyurethane trans mount, with the load plate on top of it. The typical poly mount will transmit vibrations to the shifter, particularly if you a running an aftermarket short-throw shifter without the big rubber bushing at the base around the lever. Any increase in engine roughness, or issues with the engine mounts can increase vibrations.

Since the issue is there at idle, things related to the driveshaft would seem to be ruled out. Something has worn or loosened, motor mounts, a clutch component, stick or shifter mounting plate loosening, increasing engine roughness.....

When my Formula still had the stock T56, with a Pro 5.0 shifter, the bolts that held the stick to the base lever would loosen, and the vibration would increase. I ended up using longer bolts and double nutting them to prevent the stick from loosening.

Some people have claimed reduced vibration by deleting the top load plate.

 

cam and "spotty tune" and you have a vibration at idle with car not moving would point to a engine generated vibration. The cam lope itself and idle RPM (low) may be contributing to this. Add in a poly trans mount which will transfer these vibrations more into shifter.

Personally while I run poly MM, I run the rubber trans mount

If this motor was rebuilt as a "internal" balanced motor but still has the stock "external" (rear) balanced flexplate or flywheel it will vibrate like a dog shiating razor blades

a motor with a misfire will vibrate

so you have a few directions to look at

 

Yes it does have an after market shifter, I think I'll pull some of the console apart and maybe retighten them and put a new bead of rtv on, l can tell from the underside that the previous guy just got sloppy with some clear silicone caulk. It's also possible maybe the motor mounts are going out like you said, they're almost impossible to even see with the exhaust so that'll be fun. Thanks for all the info I'll try the shifter first and report progress back in the coming week.

Thanks, Grant

 

Ok gotcha, I may take some videos of it this weekend to give a better idea, I've read that before on the forums where some personally like the rubber mounts in some places because it won't transfer as many vibrations. Unfortunately I've got zero info on the motor for the most part.

Thanks, Grant