How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
10-03-2006, 06:51 AM
#1
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How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
I have an 01 Z28 and was told that not all LS1's recieved Aluminum Driveshafts... How can you tell the difference between steel and aluminum? Will it be visable or what am I looking for?
10-03-2006, 07:12 AM
#3
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Re: How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
only LS1 cars that had 2.73 rear gears with the auto trans got the steel shaft
3.23 autos and all m6 cars got the aluminum
unless it was swapped out
3.23 autos and all m6 cars got the aluminum
unless it was swapped out
10-03-2006, 12:06 PM
#5
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Re: How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
Yeah, it is definately steel... Any advantages towards switching to an Aluminum one? Also if I swapped driveshafts, will it come with the U-Joints? Any place where I can search for an LS1 Aluminum Drive Shaft?
10-03-2006, 12:48 PM
#6
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Re: How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
less rotating mass which means more power transfered to teh wheels...maybe 2hp and 5#s of torque
not sure how well balanced the LS1 steel shafts are...but i know swapping the alum LS1 shaft out for the stock steel on on the LT1s made a HUGE difference in vibration at highway speeds.
typically driveshafts come with the u-joints...unless someone needed it for the car they removed the shaft from.
check the board and watch ebay
you can also look out for the 1LE aluminum driveshafts from the 3rd gens and the LT1 4th gens. they are comparable to the alum LS1 shafts
not sure how well balanced the LS1 steel shafts are...but i know swapping the alum LS1 shaft out for the stock steel on on the LT1s made a HUGE difference in vibration at highway speeds.
typically driveshafts come with the u-joints...unless someone needed it for the car they removed the shaft from.
check the board and watch ebay
you can also look out for the 1LE aluminum driveshafts from the 3rd gens and the LT1 4th gens. they are comparable to the alum LS1 shafts
10-03-2006, 02:49 PM
#7
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Re: How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
ILE & LT1 are 2 3/4 Dia and are the same. LS1 is 3 dia.
Look on E-Bay or check the for sale on the Camaro forms.
Average price for complete used Aluminum dr shaft is about $100/150 + shipping. Do not spend over these amounts.
Look on E-Bay or check the for sale on the Camaro forms.
Average price for complete used Aluminum dr shaft is about $100/150 + shipping. Do not spend over these amounts.
10-03-2006, 04:47 PM
#8
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Re: How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
Originally Posted by 87DJP2001
ILE & LT1 are 2 3/4 Dia and are the same. LS1 is 3 dia.
Look on E-Bay or check the for sale on the Camaro forms.
Average price for complete used Aluminum dr shaft is about $100/150 + shipping. Do not spend over these amounts.
Look on E-Bay or check the for sale on the Camaro forms.
Average price for complete used Aluminum dr shaft is about $100/150 + shipping. Do not spend over these amounts.
Teke, Are you saying that steel shafts typically cause more vibrations?
10-04-2006, 07:05 AM
#10
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Re: How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
The stock steel driveshaft has a known resonance at about 90-100 mph on some cars. There was a TSB about the vibration that would get you a new aluminum driveshaft back in the day. The aluminum driveshaft isn't quite as strong. If the steel driveshaft isn't giving you problems, then the only reason to upgrade is for to reduce your rotating mass. I'm still on the stock steel shaft and don't have problems with it. BTW, the aluminum driveshaft has its own resonance at a higher speed.
10-04-2006, 11:42 AM
#11
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Re: How can you tell if you have an Aluminum Driveshaft?
My car came with A4/2.73's, thus, a steel driveshaft, and while I haven't had "problems" with it, my car does have some vibrations in the driveline that I'm ~99% sure are because of a poorly balanced driveshaft. The difference in power to swap doesn't seem all that worth it, and I've seen some pics of exploded LS1 driveshafts, so I'll stick with my steel driveshaft (especially now behind the T56) and maybe get it balanced one day! 
. The difference in power to swap doesn't seem all that worth it, and I've seen some pics of exploded LS1 driveshafts, so I'll stick with my steel driveshaft (especially now behind the T56) and maybe get it balanced one day!
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