got my FMS aluminum driveshaft

todd95GT · 09-05-2001, 04:41 PM

I had a really bad vibration at all speeds caused by an out-of-balance shaft and a worn front u-joint. My tailshaft seal was leaking, too. I figured out the cost comparison of having the shop replace the u-joints and work on the shaft and change the rear seal of the T-5. It was only a hair more money to buy the aluminum shaft...it comes with two u-joints and a new yoke. I had the guys at UPR install it. Now, any new shaft would have smoothed out the ride compared to how it was, but man, it is REALLY smooth. I haven't noticed a performance gain but then again, I wasn't expecting to. Definitely worth the cash if you're ever in the same predicament.

------------------
Todd
1995GT Cobra look-alike
pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

[This message has been edited by todd95GT (edited 09-05-2001).]

Chevyguy · 09-05-2001, 04:50 PM

MMM new driveshaft ( in homer simpson voice)

Sounds like a slam dunk job to me, FWIW it's super easy to drop out the driveshaft. I did it a few times during my T-5 nightmare.

Just having the extra front yoke to stop the trans fluid leaking out would be worth it. Oh yeah the plastic bag and rubber band just bit it.

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch, FMS blue wires Energy Suspension end links
88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car My two Notchbacks

74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 Finally fixed getting a 454 to put in garage
<A HREF="http://www.chevellepages.com/folingo" TARGET=_blank>www.chevellepages.

todd95GT · 09-05-2001, 05:27 PM

That's the downside of living in an apartment. I have nowhere to do the swap. I got my hands on a free (!!!!!) Mac off-road H pipe, and I have to pay someone Friday to install it. I rationalize that by telling myself that the part was free, so I pay 60 bucks for someone to install it and I still saved 50 bucks over the price of the new part. In my head, it works out.

------------------
Todd
1995GT Cobra look-alike
pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

Fox Body · 09-05-2001, 05:44 PM

Glad you got one.

You can DEFINITELY feel the diff in weight b/t the steel and Al driveshafts. The less rotational weight the better.

Yeah and next time you need to do some mechanic work, just go to an old large parking lot in the back and do what you need to do there.

-----------------------------------------
351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback
Stock 5.8L under custom made 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit
Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s
14 x 4” K&N air filter. Only a couple of weeks b4 Project FOX begins!!!

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

todd95GT · 09-05-2001, 07:46 PM

Ironically enough, I just came back from picking up some jack stands. I'll be bolting on the H pipe tomorrow.

------------------
Todd
1995GT Cobra look-alike
pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

Chevyguy · 09-06-2001, 08:30 AM

I used to do lots of wrench work in my work parking lot when I lived in a Condo, that was a real dark time for me. Now I have to move and leave my 2 car garage behind

2FastLX · 09-06-2001, 01:12 PM

I'm not sure if it's the same where you are, but the local Auto Zones around here will let you use their lot to pull an engine if you want to. As long as you buy parts there I guess. Plus they'll loan you tools

------------------
Gunning for 12's!

Buy your parts here
ICQ# 42269241

todd95GT · 09-06-2001, 02:34 PM

wow, that's great. I haven't found a place here that would let you do that. I used to rent a warehouse when I had my Chevelle but then again, the car stayed there most of the time so it justified the monthly cost. I'm heading out now to put the H pipe on. Wish me luck, those collector bolts look like a real pain to get to.

------------------
Todd
1995GT Cobra look-alike
pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

Vector · 09-06-2001, 06:25 PM

Is it legal to work on a car in a lot?

todd95GT · 09-06-2001, 09:27 PM

Well, that all depends on several factors. If the lot is posted "No Loitering" or "No Trespassing", then you don't belong there. Check with the city you live in for Municipal Ordinances regarding auto repair. Some towns or cities don't allow major auto repair in public places. They usually consider "major" to be anything other than brakes or a tune-up/oil change type of maintenance. There is no statute on the books in Florida, and I doubt in any other state, that prohibits auto repair in public.
And yes, I'm in the law field.

------------------
Todd
1995GT Cobra look-alike
pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

09-05-2001, 04:41 PM	#1
todd95GT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA Posts: 191	got my FMS aluminum driveshaft I had a really bad vibration at all speeds caused by an out-of-balance shaft and a worn front u-joint. My tailshaft seal was leaking, too. I figured out the cost comparison of having the shop replace the u-joints and work on the shaft and change the rear seal of the T-5. It was only a hair more money to buy the aluminum shaft...it comes with two u-joints and a new yoke. I had the guys at UPR install it. Now, any new shaft would have smoothed out the ride compared to how it was, but man, it is REALLY smooth. I haven't noticed a performance gain but then again, I wasn't expecting to. Definitely worth the cash if you're ever in the same predicament. ------------------ Todd 1995GT Cobra look-alike pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft [This message has been edited by todd95GT (edited 09-05-2001).]

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Aluminum Driveshaft?	90lxracer	Blue Oval Lounge	5	01-05-2003 02:07 AM
Aluminum Driveshaft getting scraped on acceleration... 1994 GT Parking brake Recall??	NYC1	Windsor Power	5	11-17-2002 01:15 PM
Aluminum Driveshaft ?s	89 Cobra LX	Windsor Power	3	07-15-2002 03:42 PM
Aluminum Driveshaft	96GTPRT	Modular Madness	2	06-17-2002 11:58 AM
Aluminum Driveshaft...Balance?	chris91LX	Windsor Power	4	02-10-2001 12:43 PM

09-05-2001, 04:50 PM	#2
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	MMM new driveshaft ( in homer simpson voice) Sounds like a slam dunk job to me, FWIW it's super easy to drop out the driveshaft. I did it a few times during my T-5 nightmare. Just having the extra front yoke to stop the trans fluid leaking out would be worth it. Oh yeah the plastic bag and rubber band just bit it. ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch, FMS blue wires Energy Suspension end links 88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car My two Notchbacks 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 Finally fixed getting a 454 to put in garage <A HREF="http://www.chevellepages.com/folingo" TARGET=_blank>www.chevellepages.

09-05-2001, 05:27 PM	#3
todd95GT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA Posts: 191	That's the downside of living in an apartment. I have nowhere to do the swap. I got my hands on a free (!!!!!) Mac off-road H pipe, and I have to pay someone Friday to install it. I rationalize that by telling myself that the part was free, so I pay 60 bucks for someone to install it and I still saved 50 bucks over the price of the new part. In my head, it works out. ------------------ Todd 1995GT Cobra look-alike pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

09-05-2001, 05:44 PM	#4
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	Glad you got one. You can DEFINITELY feel the diff in weight b/t the steel and Al driveshafts. The less rotational weight the better. Yeah and next time you need to do some mechanic work, just go to an old large parking lot in the back and do what you need to do there. ----------------------------------------- 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback Stock 5.8L under custom made 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s 14 x 4” K&N air filter. Only a couple of weeks b4 Project FOX* begins!!!* "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

09-05-2001, 07:46 PM	#5
todd95GT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA Posts: 191	Ironically enough, I just came back from picking up some jack stands. I'll be bolting on the H pipe tomorrow. ------------------ Todd 1995GT Cobra look-alike pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

09-06-2001, 08:30 AM	#6
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	I used to do lots of wrench work in my work parking lot when I lived in a Condo, that was a real dark time for me. Now I have to move and leave my 2 car garage behind

09-06-2001, 01:12 PM	#7
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	I'm not sure if it's the same where you are, but the local Auto Zones around here will let you use their lot to pull an engine if you want to. As long as you buy parts there I guess. Plus they'll loan you tools ------------------ Gunning for 12's! Buy your parts here ICQ# 42269241

09-06-2001, 02:34 PM	#8
todd95GT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA Posts: 191	wow, that's great. I haven't found a place here that would let you do that. I used to rent a warehouse when I had my Chevelle but then again, the car stayed there most of the time so it justified the monthly cost. I'm heading out now to put the H pipe on. Wish me luck, those collector bolts look like a real pain to get to. ------------------ Todd 1995GT Cobra look-alike pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft

09-06-2001, 06:25 PM	#9
Vector Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Comox, BC, Canada Posts: 119	Is it legal to work on a car in a lot?

09-06-2001, 09:27 PM	#10
todd95GT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA Posts: 191	Well, that all depends on several factors. If the lot is posted "No Loitering" or "No Trespassing", then you don't belong there. Check with the city you live in for Municipal Ordinances regarding auto repair. Some towns or cities don't allow major auto repair in public places. They usually consider "major" to be anything other than brakes or a tune-up/oil change type of maintenance. There is no statute on the books in Florida, and I doubt in any other state, that prohibits auto repair in public. And yes, I'm in the law field. ------------------ Todd 1995GT Cobra look-alike pulleys; Flowmaster cat-back; 65mm TB; Cobra R's, front, and wing; FMS aluminum driveshaft