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driveshaft for LS1 swap

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Old 03-13-2012, 11:14 AM
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driveshaft for LS1 swap

I'm using spohn conversion mounts for my 5.3/4L60e swap. I'm trying to reinstall the old driveshaft from my 91. It seems like it is about 1" too long.

I thought I have read here about using the stock driveshaft for the swap. Are you guys using the LS1 driveshaft?
Old 03-13-2012, 12:20 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Thats what I have, LS1, 4l60e, stock drive shaft, BMR trans mount, BMR K-member.

Do you have 1" set back motor mounts?
Old 03-13-2012, 06:46 PM
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1" setback swap mounts will make your driveshaft 1" too long.

Although the description doesn't tell you, Spohn's are 1" setback.
Old 03-13-2012, 07:18 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

when I was using the stock rear I had my stock drive shaft with no issues.

what is going on? how far can you slide the yoke in the trans?
Old 03-14-2012, 12:25 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

1" setback mounts puts the rear of the block in the OEM position to mate up with the trans in the exact spot. Put those swap mounts in probably 10 cars now, none of them had the trans move at all.
Old 03-14-2012, 06:44 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

I STILL dont understand this 1" set back nonsense. When I got my mounts there was no talk of 1" set back. My motor is in the same spot as the original. I dont see room behind the block for 1" of movement. Maybe there is..but it would get tight.

I was under the impression that the drive shafts were interchangeable with most people using the LS1 shaft since its aluminum and usually has better u-joints (as in less miles/years).

So just for the record...Im running Spohn mounts and a stock LS driveshaft infront of a Strange 12-bolt. So I have the conversion joint at the rear. No problems, fits 100% like factory.

J.
Old 03-14-2012, 08:53 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by five7kid
1" setback swap mounts will make your driveshaft 1" too long.

Although the description doesn't tell you, Spohn's are 1" setback.

the "setbacks" put the trans tailshaft exactly where the stock one was, driveshaft would fit exactly like the factory setup.

i'm currently using 1" setbacks, LQ9, 4L60E, ford 9" rear, and stock ls1 driveshaft. ds fit without any problems. fit the 10 bolt and 9 bolt rears I had the same as well
Old 03-14-2012, 08:55 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
I STILL dont understand this 1" set back nonsense. When I got my mounts there was no talk of 1" set back. My motor is in the same spot as the original. I dont see room behind the block for 1" of movement. Maybe there is..but it would get tight.

I was under the impression that the drive shafts were interchangeable with most people using the LS1 shaft since its aluminum and usually has better u-joints (as in less miles/years).

So just for the record...Im running Spohn mounts and a stock LS driveshaft infront of a Strange 12-bolt. So I have the conversion joint at the rear. No problems, fits 100% like factory.

J.
our cars are "setback" in stock form, so the spohn mounts and 1" setbacks put the motor and trans in the "stock" location.
Old 03-14-2012, 09:01 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by no1kicker
I'm using spohn conversion mounts for my 5.3/4L60e swap. I'm trying to reinstall the old driveshaft from my 91. It seems like it is about 1" too long.

I thought I have read here about using the stock driveshaft for the swap. Are you guys using the LS1 driveshaft?

this may be a very silly question, and i'm sorry to have to ask, but did you install the ds into the trans first? there should be quite a lot of room to slide it into the tailshaft first and then slide back into the rear
Old 03-14-2012, 09:03 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

same here, spohn mounts along with ls1 alum. drive shaft, stock 10 bolt fit no problem.
Old 03-14-2012, 10:27 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by no1kicker
I'm using spohn conversion mounts for my 5.3/4L60e swap. I'm trying to reinstall the old driveshaft from my 91. It seems like it is about 1" too long.

I thought I have read here about using the stock driveshaft for the swap. Are you guys using the LS1 driveshaft?
Greg somethin isnt right man, i used the same mounts and had no issue with the D/S
Old 03-14-2012, 02:34 PM
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Full disclosure: I had a custom 3" DOM driveshaft built for both of mine - measured the output shaft to pinion yoke distance and the shop fab'd up an indestructible DS for me.

So, what else did you do? LCA's?
Old 03-14-2012, 04:12 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

I have the stock 10 bolt rear, and all suspension is stock. The torque arm is already connected, and the trans mount is bolted up. The front wheels are on ramps and the rear end is on jack stands.

The driveshaft was installed into the trans first. It slides into the 4L60e fine with no binding. Discoloration on the yoke suggests that it slid into the 700R4 about an inch more, but I cannot get it in any further. That is probably the problem.

I'm wondering if the LS1 driveshaft has a shorter yoke, or there is something up with the case, or I am installing it wrong.
Old 03-14-2012, 09:42 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by no1kicker
I have the stock 10 bolt rear, and all suspension is stock. The torque arm is already connected, and the trans mount is bolted up. The front wheels are on ramps and the rear end is on jack stands.

The driveshaft was installed into the trans first. It slides into the 4L60e fine with no binding. Discoloration on the yoke suggests that it slid into the 700R4 about an inch more, but I cannot get it in any further. That is probably the problem.

I'm wondering if the LS1 driveshaft has a shorter yoke, or there is something up with the case, or I am installing it wrong.

usually with a stock yoke you can slide it in the trans until the seal hits the yoke seals with out the little dust cover still get very close

what did your trans and shaft come out of? ive seen t56 outputs where the splines were beat up so bad they refused to slide in all the way. is there a chance the auto came from a wreck?
Old 03-14-2012, 10:05 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

stock 1987 ds used here into the t56 using hawks swap mounts.no issue at all or vibration etc
Old 05-11-2012, 11:17 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

This thread has been fermenting in the back of my mind. I am seeking some clarity. Since I am running BMR K-member, my engine and trans are 1" further forward than stock? This would mean that the stock driveshaft I am running has 1" less engagement into the tailshaft?
Old 05-12-2012, 10:19 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Would using a 2002 Silverado 2wd transmission cause issues similar to this? I am using 1" setback LS to SBC Clamshell adapter plates.

croozer
Old 05-14-2012, 07:38 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by croozer
Would using a 2002 Silverado 2wd transmission cause issues similar to this? I am using 1" setback LS to SBC Clamshell adapter plates.

croozer
the bigger issue on this one: what are you planning on doing for the torque arm?
Old 05-14-2012, 07:39 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by camarotucker
This thread has been fermenting in the back of my mind. I am seeking some clarity. Since I am running BMR K-member, my engine and trans are 1" further forward than stock? This would mean that the stock driveshaft I am running has 1" less engagement into the tailshaft?
stock sbc mounts on the kmember? or does it have the lsx mounts to start with?
Old 05-14-2012, 05:13 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by 1ADan
the bigger issue on this one: what are you planning on doing for the torque arm?
Mount it to the transmission crossmember. I have seen it done on here before, can't remember who did it. Supposedly it puts less stress on the transmission housing. And I am already fabbing up a custom crossmember the way it is so it's no big deal to me.

Croozer
Old 08-03-2015, 09:12 PM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by xpndbl3
1" setback mounts puts the rear of the block in the OEM position to mate up with the trans in the exact spot. Put those swap mounts in probably 10 cars now, none of them had the trans move at all.
Hey if you could give me a list of what all I need to get my ls1/4l60e set up to go in as factory as possible thx
Old 08-04-2015, 08:28 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Didn't need to bring a thread back from the dead... especially when it doesn't relate to the topic.

Do the research, man. There are TONS of threads out there, tons of info... I spent about 2 months fully researching everything I could find.. and even after completing my build, and being in the process of redoing it again I'm still doing research.
Old 10-13-2023, 05:33 AM
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Re: driveshaft for LS1 swap

Originally Posted by no1kicker
I'm using spohn conversion mounts for my 5.3/4L60e swap. I'm trying to reinstall the old driveshaft from my 91. It seems like it is about 1" too long.

I thought I have read here about using the stock driveshaft for the swap. Are you guys using the LS1 driveshaft?
Did you ever come up with a fix? I’m having the same issue
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