I am thinking of doing the change as there is a noticeable vibration at 80-90 mph since I changed to a higher ratio BW 9 bolt rear end. I want to hear from people who have done the change and noticed a definite improvement. Should I do it and would it help basically.

Thanks,
Felix

 

I did the change and didnt notice anything, but I didnt really have much vibs from the stock one to begin with. I mainly changed it because its lighter.

 

Did you feel a SOTP improvement, albeit very small?

 

i noticed a diffrence

of course, i switched to a GMPP lightweight flywheel, and a Centerforce DF clutch at the same time. but my my driveline is very smooth now, even at 100+ you don't feel any driveline vibrations.

 

If your looking for big improvements with a Aluminum over a Steel
Dr Shaft forget it. You will get a reduction in rotating weight & less vibration a higher speeds, but thats about it. Unless you are getting a good deal on one, I would pass. With that said, I am using one and I did get a good deal.

 

It's the reduction of vibrations that I'm more interested by. I would love to get rid of the 90mph vibration/humming that has appeared since changing my back axle.

Any more experience?

 

At speed my car is as smooth as silk.

JamesC

 

That's great JamesC but was it before you changed driveshaft?

Cheers

 

another quesion for ya, you said you just changed rear-ends.

did you have a vibration before changing? if you didn't, you might want to look there first, before a driveshaft.

 

No, the vibration started after the change What could that mean the problem is? Bear in mind I have a higher ratio so the d/shaft would be spinning faster at higher speeds now. Keep em coming, this is great help..

 

Actually, my car has always run pretty smooth. My opinion of the alum shaft is that it may help and it certainly won't hurt.

JamesC

 

When I put mine in I didn't notice a power gain but I did notice that the driveline was much much smoother than it was before.

 

Nope. If someone switched back in my steel one, I doubt I would even notice when driving.

 

I have 3.73's out back and with the stock 105,000+ mile driveshaft the car would vibrate bad at speeds around 70-80. This was while accelerating and after letting off. Changed to a 4th gen aluminum driveshaft and the vibration is gone.

 

I'm not going to call anybody a liar, but I'm real concerned about those that said that the car was faster after swapping to an aluminum shaft. I have heard theories and philosophies about less rotating mass, etc.... Whatever.

The deal with aluminum shafts is to A) reduce weight, even if its only a few pounds, and B) reduce (dampen) driveline vibrations. If your looking to shave a few tenths off your 1/4, your not going to shave enough weight to make a difference. If your looking for a smoother ride, then this is for you.

I put a 4th gen alum shaft in my '87 and most of my 70+ MPH vibrations were gone.

 

I had my Steel Driveshaft Balanced to get rid of my 65MPH + Hum/Vibration. It did nothing. I then went Aluminum and the Vibration Stopped.

I say go for it to fix your vibration. I think Irocs even got the recall on the driveshaft.

 

FredZep that is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks everyone!

 

I'm running a stock steel drive shaft(from a junkyard when I swapped the 700r4 in) and it's smooth as can be clear up to 5000rpm in OD. I would guess that some of the vibrations the aluminum shaft fixed could have been from u-joints on the way out, damaged shaft, and/or just unbalanced.

 

I'm interested in this also. A few questions though.

1. I take it that the aluminum shafts are balanced from the fatory where as the steel ones were not?

2.How much power can the aluminum shaft take before you break it?

3. Finally, how much do they weigh compared to steel?

Thanks

Robert

 

I just swapped my stock steel D/S for the thirdgen 1LE D/S.

The steel weighed 15.5lbs and the aluminum weighed 12.5lbs.

I have not driven the car yet with the aluminum shaft. My stock one was just fine, the aluminum one was a good deal at $100 with new u-joints and recently balanced.

I'm sure 3lbs makes a tremendous difference at 80-100mph. That is where the difference will come in, not so much at the drag strip in E/T reduction.

 

I had a bad vibration at 70, which got worse after installing the Tremec TKO trans.
(I run steel motor and trans mounts)
Installing the Aluminum Driveshaft made a huge difference.
Almost no vibration that I can feel now at all.
-Rich-

 

just got mine back from the shop, (steel) things are smooth up to 130...