Driveshaft

[ViperJ]

I am looking to replace my driveshaft with a lightweight one but I dont know which one to get.

GM 1LE Aluminum - the 1LE driveshaft is 2.75" in diameter, Cost $212. It weighs 10 lbs.

RKSport Aluminum - this driveshaft is 3" in diameter and features an internal vibration dampening system. This driveshaft is IHRA legal for Competition Eliminator and Pro Stock classes. $360 from RKSport. Weight is 10 lbs.

Would both of these bolt to all the sock stuff even though they are diffrent sizes (anybody know the stock driveshaft diameter)? These would still have to be strong despite their weight right?

[cuda_dude]

i'm thinking about getting a new one myself... mines out of ballance..... i would probably lean towards the rksport one...

[ViperJ]

Would that bolt right up? Money is a little low and I don't want to have to have a shop install it.

[carlos80]

why would you put a driveshaft in,is yours out of balance or damaged in any way?

[ViperJ]

The stock drive shaft weights around 25lbs, these are 10lbs... That would help acceleration alot wouldn't it (less weight= less power need to get it moving)?

[carlos80]

typically 100lbs of weight reduction will knock off a tenth of a second in quarter mile run, so i don't see how knocking off 15 pounds could help. i'd go with other mods

[CamarosRsweet94]

Thestock drive shaft in most of the sixers is a two-piece steel driveshaft. Although it may not be the best mod to do it is definately worth it. If cash is tight I would say go with the cheaper aluminum one with the amount of power the 3.4L produces you have no need for the other one. I was looking into getting a new one a while back too, just to get rid of the two piece crap and a little weight. (Mostly the former)

[Dober89]

Any driveshaft from an fbody from 1984 onward will fit as long as its from a 4 spd auto, or 5/6 spd manual transmission. I put the 1LE in my 89. It doesnt have as large of a diameter as the newer LS1 driveshaft but it has a thicker wall and is a little stronger. On hard launches the LS1 shaft will go before the 1LE one will.

I didnt even know rk sport offered a driveshaft. I would go with dennys though personally. The 1LE should be fine for you though unless your planning on beating on it with lots of power and hard launches.

[ViperJ]

Originally Posted by carlos80

typically 100lbs of weight reduction will knock off a tenth of a second in quarter mile run, so i don't see how knocking off 15 pounds could help. i'd go with other mods

I realize its not going to save much weight that way. Think of a lightned flywheel less weight=quicker revs, it will help in acceleration.

Originally Posted by Dober89

The 1LE should be fine for you though unless your planning on beating on it with lots of power and hard launches.

Thats what I was think also. Eventually I want to have my car running low 14's high 13's but thats going to take a while.

[ViperJ]

Most V6 F-Bodies come with a two-piece driveshaft from the factory (although some 99+ models come with a one-piece steel unit). Two-piece units were installed from the factory because they reduce vibration and noise better than a single-piece unit, but if you are pushing any serious amount of torque you run a risk of snapping the driveshaft in half. As an upgrade you can go with a one-piece driveshaft made either of steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber. The stock two piece driveshaft weighs around 22 lbs while aluminum units weigh in the neighborhood of 10-12 lbs. Carbon fiber driveshafts are even lighter (typically 5-7 lbs) but are much more expensive.

Just to give out some info

[Savage Messiah]

Originally Posted by carlos80

why would you put a driveshaft in,is yours out of balance or damaged in any way?

Less rotating mass

[CamarosRsweet94]

Are the Drive shafts the same for the automatics and the manuals?

[Dober89]

Yea the driveshafts are the same for manuals and automatics so you can get one from any newer fbody.

13-14s times would be a breeze for the aluminum driveshaft.

[Genopsyde]

how about 11-12s?