Aluminum Driveshaft..1 piece

Recently there was an opportunity for me to purchase an aluminum driveshaft. The one I was looking to purchase was the tapered design 4”-3.5”. From what the seller told me it was "similar" to Steeda. Before I committed to the purchase I decided to do some research and created a thread inquiring on the one-piece aluminum driveshaft. After some comments and additional research I decided not to go through with the purchase for several reasons. I began to think maybe this is a mod I don’t need because there is nothing wrong with my stock driveshaft.

Anyway, I was looking at a different mod simply because I just want some weight reduction. Yeap, my gym routine isn’t working out! Haha. I contacted BMR about there K-member package and was ready to make the purchase when I was contacted by Bob from Shaftmasters after he had reviewed my thread. Long story short I was offered an amazing deal on their 3.5 one-piece aluminum driveshaft. Needless to say I took advantage of the deal and completed my order.

I have been assured by Bob that Shaftmasters design is 1 piece with no adapter plate, no adjustment of any pinion angle needed and no NVH. My direct bolt one aluminum driveshaft should be here in about 7-10 days. I’ll be sure to report back to you with install and driving results.

Waiting to see how it goes for you. Mine isn't bad, however with the mods I've done and the locker in the rear I have plenty of noise. My girlfriend doesn't really like riding in my car because of the noise but it is fun to drive.

Zman what types of noises are you experiencing?

From the drive shaft? Not much, from the locker, a bit when it goes in and out of being locked. From the supercharger, quite a bit, from the exhaust, a lot.

You had me worried I was thinking you were having lots a noise as a result of the DS. Which brand did you go with?

There is so much crap making noise in my car I couldn't even tell you if the DS makes any. I have a T56 trans though so mine wouldn't be the same as yours anyway.

I hear what your saying. I have some similar mods that was the only reason I was asking. I'm looking forward to this mod. I'll also be adding a k member in the winter so I suppose I shouldn't worry to much about noise lol.

loots06 said:

.....I have been assured by Bob that Shaftmasters design is 1 piece with no adapter plate, no adjustment of any pinion angle needed and no NVH. My direct bolt one aluminum driveshaft should be here in about 7-10 days. I’ll be sure to report back to you with install and driving results.

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I hope you have a better experience with your aluminum shaft than I had with the two shafts I tried (2 different manufacturers).
Both shafts developed increased clearance in the splined slip-joint. Noise and vibration ensued. One was so bad that it seemed like I was running over rumble-strips. You could push up on the driveshaft and see movement in the joint.

I think all of the major players have refined their S197 driveshafts to the point that vibration shouldn't be an issue any more. A few brands had issues at first. When I decided to shop for a driveshaft I spent about 3-4 weeks searching the forums for opinions and narrowed it down to two that had impeccable reputations with no complaints that I could find. They were DSS and Dynotech, both of which can be found here. I went with the DSS and it is perfect.

283, sucks you had to go through those issues. I went back and fourth trying to decide which mod I should do this when this happened to come up at the right time. I did a bit of researching before deciding not to purchase an early design of spydershaft which is now Steeda. In the process I read that Shaftermasters has a good reputation with their DS.

I have had a Shaftmaster 3 1/2 " drive shaft in my 05 GT for over 5 years with out any problems,Had up to 120 mph a few times with NO vibrations. Solid product from a very good vendor. I was lucky enough back then to get it as part of a group buy.You will be pleased with this drive shaft. No more clunking between shifts or when you let off the gas.

I am Very Glad for those who have Not had any problems with their 1-piece aluminum shafts.
Either I have been especially 'cursed' or my car is somehow more susceptible to driveline vibration... I do not know.

But I have put a stock GT500 driveshaft back on the car, and it's likely to stay there.

ZmanM3 said:

Waiting to see how it goes for you. Mine isn't bad, however with the mods I've done and the locker in the rear I have plenty of noise. My girlfriend doesn't really like riding in my car because of the noise but it is fun to drive.

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You shouldn't refer to your girlfriend as "it"...

DSS with no problems so far.

Herknav said:

You shouldn't refer to your girlfriend as "it"...

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I didn't, I referred to my car as it.

I love my 1-piece (really a 2 piece with the yoke) drive shaft. It was a great addition and the bucking when the transmission is warming up was almost completely eliminated. It is very quiet, had not made any noise. I bought it used off BruceH and it has nearly 40,000 miles on it now.

To those of you with an aluminum DS are you running an aluminum flywheel too? Any issues?

loots06 said:

To those of you with an aluminum DS are you running an aluminum flywheel too? Any issues?

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Dynotech DS / McLeod RXT / Steel FW

loots06 said:

To those of you with an aluminum DS are you running an aluminum flywheel too? Any issues?

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I've only been here a bit over a year but I have yet to see anyone recommend an aluminum flywheel. Every single post I've seen on the topic by people who have been there say to use a lightened steel flywheel and not aluminum. I haven't seen lots of reasons why but I can only imagine. When I do mine I'll take the advice of the hundreds who have gone before me and get a lightened steel flywheel.

skwerl said:

I've only been here a bit over a year but I have yet to see anyone recommend an aluminum flywheel. Every single post I've seen on the topic by people who have been there say to use a lightened steel flywheel and not aluminum. I haven't seen lots of reasons why but I can only imagine. When I do mine I'll take the advice of the hundreds who have gone before me and get a lightened steel flywheel.

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Lightened flywheels tend to drop RPMS faster during shifts due to less rotating mass; so the engines rotating assembly resistance slows the RPMS faster. They are good for engines with lighter weight rotating assemblies and high rp, applications that won't have be effected as negatively.