my buddy's driveshaft broke

[mark86t]

Since my buddy's driveshaft broke the other day (172,000 miles on it) I started thinking that mine is my drivetrain's weak link. I bought it used with my 88 5 speed a while back. Figured I should get a fresh one. Decided to shed a little weight while I was at it. Got an aluminum one. I know, I know, people say the yokes may egg over time. But hey, I don't expect this thing to last forever & I have my stock one as a back up. Got it from PowerTrain Industries. Spicer u-joints of course. My buddy got a new driveshaft from them as well. Stock one with greaseable u-joints & no core/exchange. $269 shipped to his door. I installed mine, his & even got Jason's plenum spacer on mine. So I'll be having some fun the next day or so driving it around to see if I feel any difference. God I miss my Z, I haven't had any time to drive it the past 3 weeks! Obviously it isn't my daily driver. lol

[SATAN]

So did you just give them the dimensions in one of those threads in this section or did you give them the actual drive shaft to copy?

[mark86t]

SATAN wrote: So did you just give them the dimensions in one of those threads in this section or did you give them the actual drive shaft to copy?

Neither. I called them & they have brand new units in stock which my buddy got. I told them I wanted an aluminum one & they said they could build it. Two days later it was on my doorstep. They obviously have been doing this a while as they said they had several in stock for both 84-86 & 87-89. The stock unit was $269ish & my aluminum one was $437. They paid shipping as well.

[2+2turbo]

whats the weight difference between the stocker and the aluminum??

[mark86t]

2+2turbo wrote: whats the weight difference between the stocker and the aluminum??

PowerTrain Industries told me that it would weigh about 8lbs & that a stock one (87-89) weighs about 16lbs. My bathroom scale really doesn't read well at those low numbers as I tried to weigh them both. So I used my "arm scale" to check the differences. It doesn't feel like half the weight of the stock one but is noticeably lighter.

[2+2turbo]

good goood .... :twisted:

has anybought one from msa?? the aluminum one that is . theyre site says they can have the made . i may think of an aluminum DS down the road if i ever put a frs30a in my car , considering i have a 2+2 i am goin to have to get a custom DS anyway.

[mark86t]

2+2turbo wrote: good goood .... :twisted:

has anybought one from msa?? the aluminum one that is . theyre site says they can have the made . i may think of an aluminum DS down the road if i ever put a frs30a in my car , considering i have a 2+2 i am goin to have to get a custom DS anyway.

$299+shipping for a stock one? My buddy got his for $270 shipped. They want $899+shipping for an aluminum one for a 280zx???? Mine was $430 shipped! MSA sources their stuff from manufacturers like the guys who made mine. I never buy from MSA anymore. Though I did buy one of their Z calendars. It had a really hot black Z for Oct. :wink:

[Neil86t]

Thanks for the info Mark. I will probably get a aluminum one this summer. I have not driven my Z in a month! I miss her too

[OR-Zman]

I havent had to price a custom shaft personally but I would think that $270 shipped is a pretty darn good pice, especially considering the shop already has the specs. :shock: Aluminum....holy crap that is an amazing difference.

Can you post up the link or contact info for this? A shop like this needs to be a sticky. If for no other reason than so I can find it again when I need it some day. :wink:

[mark86t]

Here is the link to their site. I just called them instead of searching for the driveshaft for my car.
http://www.powertrainindustries.com/catalogs.htm

[grahfz]

plus, they'll put different diff-matings on them if you want. I got an 88t tranny into my NA rear-ended na2t that way...

[vagabond]

Re: my buddy's driveshaft broke

Damn I love the search button! Now I don't have to waste time posting a thread.
I couldn't remember, and couldn't find online anyone who sold inexpensive Alum DS for the Z31 so I called today for a quote on an Aluminum DS with spicer joints and got apx. $320 from a place just over the border in MA.

Any New England guys have suggestions for a decent shop they have used.

QUOTES
MSA quote: Not available for 6 months, Pricing N/A

PowerTrain industries: $495 w/spicer joints Shipped

Fleet Pride: $320 apx.

Driveshaft Specialist $322.26 w/spicer joints (WINNNER!)
East Harford, CT

[vagabond]

Re: my buddy's driveshaft broke

What model are the U Joints?

*EDIT*
1310

[Chrisw_2003]

Re: my buddy's driveshaft broke

has anyone looked into what a carbon fiber drive shaft cost? I had one on my trans am with a built LS1 and it held up pretty damn well.

[vagabond]

Re: my buddy's driveshaft broke

They are custom units and will likely cost apx. $1000 delivered +/_ $100.