CF VS Aluminum Driveshafts, Pros and Cons.

[Ashen 6.2]

Originally Posted by Joe.G

looks like a nice product please post back, I am trying to avoid NVH/Vibration that is why I was leaning towards carbon. I have read quite a few issues with DSS Aluminum shafts causing NVH/Vibration.


DSS seems to be the most popular for these cars but that maybe because these other companies don't advertise the 5th Gen shafts well.


On Monday I am going to call these companies and ask them a few questions. I think I would prefer an aluminum shaft if it is smooth.

Will do.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by Joe.G

looks like a nice product please post back, I am trying to avoid NVH/Vibration that is why I was leaning towards carbon. I have read quite a few issues with DSS Aluminum shafts causing NVH/Vibration.


DSS seems to be the most popular for these cars but that maybe because these other companies don't advertise the 5th Gen shafts well.


On Monday I am going to call these companies and ask them a few questions. I think I would prefer an aluminum shaft if it is smooth.

Well if the driveshaft is balance properly you will not pick up any vibration, I didn't, it is pretty smooth up to the 7500 rpm we tuned the car at. Way more smoother than the stock unit I had in there. Also I have had the car up to 147 and it is pretty smooth, the only vibration I get is from the worn out 335's on the back from all the rolling burnouts at 45mph! lol. Also the only noise I picked up is from the 3 inch exhaust tubing being in close proximity of the shaft, it reverberates off the shaft, and that's pretty much all I experience with mine.

[Joe.G]

1JEWLDSSRS I know you have had a good experience and I am sure a lot of people have, The factory aluminum in my 3rd gen is great. My luck I would get a out of balance unit. My stock shaft is smooth but it just turned 16K on the car. I am sure DSS has sold probably the most units and that is why you hear about them the most.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by Joe.G

1JEWLDSSRS I know you have had a good experience and I am sure a lot of people have, The factory aluminum in my 3rd gen is great. My luck I would get a out of balance unit. My stock shaft is smooth but it just turned 16K on the car. I am sure DSS has sold probably the most units and that is why you hear about them the most.

Yea, I have read a lot of stuff on here where some folks have had a good experience, and some haven't with the DSS products. I guess I am one of the fortunate ones that did, and I love the driveshaft to far. Really makes it hard to decide what you want to do/buy when it could go either way. Quality assurance should be job one with ALL of these manufacturers!! So you get a top notch product every time!!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

I also have the DSS One piece driveshaft. I installed mine, and checked the clearances as the instructions stated and it was within spec so i ran it. It fixed my driveline vibration, and the car feels a bit snappier and peppy down low. No vibrations and I have had the car well into the triple digit speeds. So far I have no encountered 1 single issue with the driveshaft. Just torque the bolts to the proper spec, and then maybe a little more. Check the clearances and make sure you are inbetween the tolerances. It CAN be too short OR too long. It needs to be in between. I can't remember what the measurement is but the instructions tell you, and that is it. It is a PITA because you have to pull your entire catback off the car to remove and install the driveshaft. I did mine at the same time as my headers and exhaust so everything was already apart anyways.

[dreksnot]

Those those goofballs that like to overachieve, I ran my carbon fiber DSS at 7,272rpm when running the Colorado Mile. I calculated my next runs in October for the Texas Mile to where I'd be spinning around 9,750rpm. I think they balance the CF at 9,500rpm or I've heard 10k, not totally sure about that. So, I guess this is a "we'll see" experience.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by dreksnot

Those those goofballs that like to overachieve, I ran my carbon fiber DSS at 7,272rpm when running the Colorado Mile. I calculated my next runs in October for the Texas Mile to where I'd be spinning around 9,750rpm. I think they balance the CF at 9,500rpm or I've heard 10k, not totally sure about that. So, I guess this is a "we'll see" experience.

HOLY CRAP BATMAN!! Good luck on that run. Should be a fun run at that. Stay safe my friend!!

[Ashen 6.2]

Update on my DS from Gulf Coast Driveshaft - Even though the website states it will work with a ZL1 diff, plus I called and was told it was drilled for both SS & ZL1 diffs, it will not work with a ZL1 diff. The bolt holes in the DS flange are 12MM and the bolts for the ZL1 diff flange are M14's. After discovering this I called and was told to just use the smaller bolts with a nut on the backside of the diff flange.. Um, no...

I've looked at drilling the holes out but not sure I want to do that just yet.. Going to call and see if I can return it and also call PST driveshafts and see what their backlog is like.

[Joe.G]

Ashen I was going to call Gulf Coast today but after reading what they told you I am not sure I want to. They should let you return it if is not what they said, Or maybe they will take it back and drill it.


I have read good things about https://pstds.com/chevrolet


QA1 has Carbon on the shelf ready to ship.

[Ashen 6.2]

Originally Posted by Joe.G

Ashen I was going to call Gulf Coast today but after reading what they told you I am not sure I want to. They should let you return it if is not what they said, Or maybe they will take it back and drill it.


I have read good things about https://pstds.com/chevrolet


QA1 has Carbon on the shelf ready to ship.

I asked Gulf Coast about drilling it and they said I can but its all on me at that point.

I just spoke with PST and they can have one out in 4-5 days. The downside is they want all the measurements (flange to flange, measure bolt hole center to center both diff & trans flange, measure pin diameter on both diff and trans) in order to get it started. I can do that but will need to drop the exhaust and driveshaft to get the measurements. Might do that this weekend.

[Joe.G]

I see why they want it but that is a pain and I would think they would all be close, maybe your's they want because it's not original combo for your particular car. How does the gulf coast shaft look? Well made? Of it bolted up would you be happy with it?

[Ashen 6.2]

Originally Posted by Joe.G

I see why they want it but that is a pain and I would think they would all be close, maybe your's they want because it's not original combo for your particular car. How does the gulf coast shaft look? Well made? Of it bolted up would you be happy with it?

It looks great, bolt holes for the SS are spot on. I would use it without hesitation if the bolt holes were correct.

I will get some pics today and post them.

[Ashen 6.2]

Here are a few pics of the driveshaft and the bolts.
















Here are the bolts - top one is the GM M14 for the DS to Diff flange. Bottom is the M12 that was provided.

[dreksnot]

It's purrrrdy

Let us know how the install goes and then how well it performs at all speeds.