Upgraded Driveshaft Replacement (1 piece, Aluminum or Carbon Fiber)

[intrigue98]

I am in the market for a new driveshaft as my carrier bearing is starting to go. Since the two piece design has failed me once, I'm leaning towards a 1-piece unit unless someone steers me into a different direction. It appears that there are only two-three manufacturers that offer an upgraded replacement. I'm leaning towards the DriveShaft Shop 1-pc Carbon Fiber unit. Does anyone have any experience with upgrading their driveshaft to a 1-piece aftermarket unit? Any pro's, con's, or things I should be aware of? (other than it costing me an arm and a leg lol)

Thanks in advance for your input as I'd like to place an order in the next few days.

[Executor999]

I had the 1-pc aluminum drive shaft built by Dynatech and offered by Gforce in my car for a couple weeks last year. It fit like a glove and worked as expected. I have a lot of poly bushings in my car and with the 1-pc DS installed it made for a harsher ride compared to when the stock DS was installed.

I had a vibration problem when the car was under load, and Charlie thought the stock DS was spent but it ended up being bad axles. Gforce took care of the axles for me under warranty and since I liked the feel of the ride with the stock DS better, I had it re-installed.

So the reasons I didn't keep the 1-pc installed is, #1 the DS wasn't the problem to begin with and #2 this G8 is my daily driver and I didn't like the harsher ride - especially when under hard acceleration on the highway.

[camopaint0707]

what's the price for a new one?

[Executor999]

what's the price for a new one?

Check it.
http://www.shop.gforce1320.com/produ...&categoryId=69

Mine is originally boxed and in the garage.

[cynic783]

I have a stick car with full bushings and a twin disc clutch.

I had a problem with noise and vibration going from the 2 piece to the 1 piece dynatech aluminum one. My 1 piece is sitting in the basement and my original DS is back on.

It's probably less noticable if you are auto and/or do not have bushings.

The 2 piece driveshaft and rubber giubos are actually there for a reason, believe it or not. I would consider the DSS 2 piece if I had to do it again.

Dan

[G8V8]

The Driveshaft shop 1-piece driveshafts have a CV joint and are balanced to a critical speed of 150 mph.

I bought a DSS Carbon Fiber 1-piece and had it installed for a very short time. I have broken 2 OEM driveshafts so decided to spend the money for the DSS CF 1-piece. My diff has been making sounds like it is on the way out and I think I am going to have to replace it. It was doing this before the swap to the 1-piece DS but the OEM DS's failing bearing was masking the diff sounds. To help diagnose the diff, I put on quieter stock axle backs and a new stock DS so I can tell you about the differences between the 2-piece OEM and 1-piece driveshafts. Because I may need to fund a new diff and may step up from 3.27 to 3.45, I may keep the OEM DS installed and help fund the diff with the CF DS.

The Driveshaft Shop is fantastic to work with.

As for the downsides of a CF 1-piece, they have billet aluminum couplers so they do transfer more noise that OEM. The hollow tube also seems to amplify sounds from the diff a little more but not nearly as much as the 1-piece aluminum tubes do. I have full bushings. I only really noticed it if the sound system was off so it is not all that loud, it is just louder than stock. On the plus side, the CF shaft is smaller in diameter than the aluminum 1-piece so tunnel clearance is better. I removed the heat shields at the center and rear but probably only needed to remove the center one (my Center x-muffler takes up some space). Shifts are quick and it is really easy to bark the tires as all the energy is sent right to the rear and not absorbed by rubber couplers. Because of my diff problems, I never wanted to take the car fast enough to find out how well the CF DS was balanced at really high speeds so will only say that in normal day-to-day driving it felt like a stock DS.

Something I discovered it that the 6A and 6M DSS drive shafts are the same center section (tube). The difference in length is accommodated by different thickness front (trans) couplers. I discovered this when they sent the wrong front couple and had to exchange it for a 6A coupler.

[BuildItYourSelf]

If I were to do it is get a two piece chomoly one made.
I emailed force a few years back and they said no problem on making it. I think it was $800-$900 not sure.
But these guys are right the stock shaft is two piece for a reason. And the engine is a little crooked and drive shaft a little dog legged to reduce the vibrations.
Drag or street racing one piece carbon all day.
Daily touring car. Two piece.
I have my stock auto drive shaft still. I'll sell it to you cheap if you want something to hold you over. It only had 30k on it.
Pm me if interested.
Good luck on what ever you decide to do.

[intrigue98]

Awesome feedback, thanks everyone. I have full poly bushings and all BMR components in the rear so I'm aware that the 1-piece may have more noise. Less concerned about noise, I just hope that CF dampens/reduces vibrations, especially at higher speeds. Sounds like the 1-piece definitely helps put the power to the ground faster and make the car feel less sluggish, correct? I have a 3.27 diff and when I swap the DS, I'll be adding my Yank 2800 stall + trans cooler. My car will be making more power and I know if I had problems with the stock DS with just full bolt-ons, I know I'll be pushing it with what's in store in the next few months. I've already replaced the rubber couplings before due to shredding them apart from the hard shifts/launches.

G8V8, did it take the full 3-4 weeks to get the CF DS made and shipped to you? Any suggestions or recommendations for when I call them? Looks like they do not have a 2 piece option but looks like in the past they may have. (unless they don't advertise it currently on their site)

[BuildItYourSelf]

The two piece I'm talking about was never advertised.
Its just a stock remake in cromoly. They also said they can do aluminum. But something about the center carrier needed a custom mount bracket. I dunno.

[G8V8]

It did take pretty much that much time.

I've sent my CF 1-piece back to DSS to be checked out and blessed before selling it. They are even going to re-check the balance, just to make sure it is perfect before i sell it. It is probably not needed but with something as exotic and expensive as a CF drive shaft, I just feel better knowing that I can sell it with the full knowledge it is 100% like it was when DSS shipped it to me.

If you are interested, PM me and we can discuss it.

If you order one, make sure they know if you have an auto or Manual trans. It affects which front coupler they send you. The problem, at least for me, with the 2-piece shafts, whether OEM or aftermarket, is that both stock shafts I damaged failed because the rubber holder for the center carrier bearing tore and let the DS move around in the carrier. When I had my bigger cam and FAST102 I have over 450 rwhp. I know guys who have more power and have had good luck with the stock DS. Now with my smaller cam and lower rwhp, I expect the stock DS to hold up fine but who knows for sure.