Primetime91

iTrader: (15)

I know that the LENGTH of V6 and V8 driveshafts are equal, but is their construction the same? I could swear I remember reading on several threads about a 2 piece driveshaft for the V6?? Or something like that... and I've also heard they have a smaller diameter, 2 1/2"? I would look under my car and check, but I can't due to snow.

Is there any difference between the V6 and V8 driveshaft?

My 355 I swapped in makes more than triple the power the old 2.8 used to... A driveshaft safety loop is a no-brainer but should I be looking at a new driveshaft too? The driveshaft will be the weak link once I step up to the 12 bolt

AlkyIROC

The transmission sits in the same location no matter what engine is under the hood. The driveshaft length is the same as long as the transmission is the same. If you have a 700R4 behind a V6, it will use the same driveshaft length as a 700R4 with a V8.

The driveshaft itself should be also the same such as diameter and u-joints used. There is no third gen with a 2 piece driveshaft. The driveshaft is already very short. Third gen driveshafts are less than 4 feet long. There are full size GM cars such a Monte Carlos with longer one piece driveshafts.

Primetime91

iTrader: (15)

Thanks for the reply stephen. I would SWEAR i read about the V6 driveshaft being different somehow though... I know the length is the same, but it was something else. Like how some V6 driveshafts supposedly have a vibration damper??

I've searched and I can't find anything though... I would swear I read about them having a smaller diameter too. Someone claimed they actually increased acceleration more than an aluminum driveshaft, due to the smaller diameter and therefore reduced rotational inertia (Less mass far away from the center). I could swear I've read that But now that I search I can't find anything on it

Project 3.4 Camaro

I've read the same, also read they're actually lighter than the v8 aluminum ones, doesn't really matter, though, going to get a carbon fiber driveshaft down the road.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

The fourthgen V6 shaft may have a damper (the V8's do, IIRC) and the V6 is a two-part shaft, but I'm unaware of any other differences.

JamesC

Primetime91

iTrader: (15)

I wish I could just go under my car to check, since I kept the V6 driveshaft when I swapped to a V8. But I can't check now because of the snow. If they truly are lighter than an aluminum driveshaft, that's a well kept secret considering how much people pay for the aluminum ones.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

My V6 driveshaft is 1 piece, and has no vibration damper that I can see. It has a small weight attached to one side near the rear of the car. I'm assuming this is to balance the driveshaft like the weights used on tires.

I can't really vouch for the length issue, as I still have my original V6 T5 bolted up to my 350. However, changing the engine did not change the distance between my transmission and rear end though. The transmission still bolted up in the same place, using the same holes on the crossmember and front frame rails.

Primetime91

iTrader: (15)

I understand that the length of all 82-02 F-body driveshafts are equal length, I just was not sure if the "Construction" was the same.

I've heard some people say that they use the same driveshaft as a V8 and some say that they are different.

92RS_Ttop, I know it's a lot to ask but could you humor me sometime and measure the actual diameter of your driveshaft sometime? Since I can't get to mine at the moment. I've heard some people say it uses the same 3" diameter shaft as the V8, and others have claimed it's 2 1/2".

The only reason I really want to know is I'm eventually going to actually have traction with my car, and at that point the driveshaft will be the weak link in my drivetrain. Of course I can always check myself once the snow melts... lol

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Probably unhelpful, but the info might prove interesting in the long run: The alum 1LE shaft has a diameter of 2 3/4.

I'll be surprised if the V6 and V8 shafts aren't identical (2 1/2), but I've been surprised before.

I searched but could only find the following:

1) 1LE Alum 2 3/4"
2) LT1 & LS1 Alum 3"
3) Stock steel 2 1/2

JamesC

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, I'll check tonight while I'm working on the car. It just so happens I have the car up in the air right now installing a dual exhaust kit and replacing the fuel and brake lines at the rear of the car. I had the driveshaft off earlier for clearance issues, but I can measure it up real quick tonight no problem. I don't know how close it will be to stock diameter since its pretty rusty though.

FWIW there is an 87 IROC in a junkyard close to me with the driveshaft sitting in the back seat and it looks just like the one under my car.

Primetime91

iTrader: (15)

Hmmm okay, it's sounding like the V6 and V8 driveshafts are the same after all, 82-92 at least. I know I've read about them being different, but it's looking like that's just misinformation that's been posted I suppose.

RBob

iTrader: (1)

Just an FYI, when mentioning the years note that the early 3rd gens with the 4 spd sticks and 3 spd autos used a longer drive shaft. This is because the tranny's were shorter. But match for those years between the 6 & 8 cylinder cars.

Once the 3rd gen's all got 5 spd sticks and 4 spd autos ('84??) the drive shafts are shorter, but still match between the 6 & 8 cylinder cars.


More drive shaft trivia: the 4th gen 6 cylinder cars got the 2-piece drive shaft. And it was the LS1 equip'd 4th gens that received the aluminum shafts with the damper on them. The 4th gen 8 cylinder shafts bolt into our 3rd gen cars.


If you are looking at putting some serious power down, then a steel shaft from a place such as Denny's is the way to go. If putting moderate power down then an aluminum shaft from an LS1 4th gen is a good choice.

Note that this is from both a strength and vibration free ride perspective.

RBob.

Primetime91

iTrader: (15)

Thank you RBob, that pretty much answers my question, and shows where I got the 2 piece driveshaft thought from, etc.

One last question though... What starts to count as serious power? I'm at 450+ now, does that count as "serious" in your estimation? Or is that borderline?

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Measured my driveshaft tonight and it is 2.5" in diameter.

RBob

iTrader: (1)

IMHO, I think you are border line with an LS1 aluminum shaft at that power level. Get some traction with a good launch and the shaft could twist.

RBob.

jimcairns

I took my driveshart off my V6 to Drivelines NW in Seattle who checked it out. They replaced the joints and said it was good to go to over 500 HP. However, the alignment of the joints was off from the factory. They said most were. Doesn't make a big deal on the V6, but at higher performance levels, it might be worth checking out

jensen73110

iTrader: (4)

Best typo ever.

jimcairns

To quote my 16 year old son " I mean to say 'shoot', but I mispronounced it'. It seems to apply here as well.

Glad you enjoyed.

Project 3.4 Camaro

That was a funny typo...I'm kind of bummed to find out our driveshafts are identical to our v8 brethren though, I had heard they were lighter than the aluminum ones and started following this thread for a 100% positive answer, guess it looks like I'm SOL till I can afford a $1k driveshaft......