Looking for some feedback here.

89 L98 hardtop
Headers, exhaust blah blah
3.70 gears.

I need to change my speedo gears which requires removing drive shaft. Any benefit to a 4th gen aluminum piece over the stock steel one?

I haven't done the suspension stuff but will be over next winter.

SFC, panhard, etc.

 

If you can get one for about $100 it is a nice upgrade over the stock steel one.

 

Never mind. Did some searching. I'm saving my money. Lol

 

It does help....

As far as "performance", I'd describe it as, about half a RCH above "just noticeable difference". For $100, I don't think it's worth that, alone.

But it DEFINITELY can reduce the amount of noise, vibes, etc. from the drivetrain.

If I could get one of the GOOD ones (LS1) for $100, I'd do it, personally.

 

I was looking on hawks. $150+ shipping. Not sure if it's out of an LT1 or LS1. Just says 4th gen.

 

Mine didn't even last one launch at the track, I wouldn't bother.

 

I like the aluminum 3rdgen shafts better.

 

I have an inland empire aluminum one that has held up great this last year. Alsocure the vibration issue I having. I have an ls1 driveshaft for sale also aluminum.

 

No, no, no, hell no. The LS1 years are all thin-wall, cardboard damped light-duty parts meant to save a corporation money. Not last under an enthusiastically driven car. The LT1 years may be better but . . .
Absolutely. These were far heavier duty than the LS1 versions. I've seen one last in a 10 second pro-shifted BBC 3500lb car.

Aftermarket is a great way to go.

 

You're right, my bad; I got it backwards.

Definitely avoid the ones packed - LITERALLY - with cardboard. The factory LITERALLY took a bunch of regular cardboard, like boxes, and stuffed it in there, for sound-deadening. What a joke.

 

Are you talking about an aftermarket or OEM? I found a "OEM quality" aluminum drive shaft for the 1991 Firebird from a yard in CA online for $166 shipped. Is this worth it, or would an aftermarket be a better place to sink the money? I'm only looking to push around 300 hp max through it.

 

Worked just fine In the 92 Firehawks that make 375 HP and have a 6speed.

 

Oh wow…this is the VERY FIRST TIME I've ever heard of the newer 4th gen drive shafts being weak. I always figured about any aluminum DS is a little weaker than any steel one…but cardboard?!?!

Well - I already have one of those 3 rivers ones...Can I like…heat it up and burn that stuff out? What happens if it ever gets wet?…will it throw it out of balance?

Get I'll just keep running it till it breaks...

 

Dyno results for what it's worth:

http://ws6.com/mod-1.htm

JamesC