Drive shaft options?

collegeboy13

New member
Hey everyone, is there ANY option out there besides the MMX? I would buy 4.10's in a heartbeat, but I just can't justify another $430 for the shaft. I'm sure it is a great shaft, but is there just a cheap, even factory shaft that can be used? Thanks.


-'94 Frost Green Mark VIII-http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/540247
 

sleeper

Former LOD President
MMX is pretty much your option. a one-piece driveshaft off of a '93 may not vibrate, or vibrate as much, but sometimes even those don't help.
 

collegeboy13

New member
Are the gains of the 3.73's over stock significant? And 4.10's over 3.73's?

-'94 Frost Green Mark VIII-http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/540247
 

PHRANQUY

New member
One of my friends (Grifter) put 3.73's in his. The other weekend when we were at Interstate Dragways near Fargo, he was running a 14.6 1/4, but said he wished he had steeper gears. This is only because he was just getting into third at the end of the 1320. He plans to go to 4.10's or 4.30's this coming spring I believe.
 

Grifter

New member
Yeah... my 3.73's arent enough gear for a pretty much stock engined car..
just shifts into 3rd about 1000 ft out.. doesnt really give it time to get moving again...
i dont get alot of vibration from the driveshaft w/ them though...
probably rip the 3.73's out for 4.10's or 4.30's this winter..
 

collegeboy13

New member
I've been leaning towards 4.30's for awhile, and they get great reveiws everywhere I look, so those will be it.

I've been looking around at custom driveshaft websites and am wondering about steel ones. They can be had for $200 or so. I assume that everyone is unsing the MMX for weight, is there that much of a difference. I hate to be cheap about this, but $430 for a driveshaft is just a whole lot, and I only want it to stand the gears. Thanks.

-'94 Frost Green Mark VIII-http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/540247
 

JC

New member
I had a 1-piece driveshaft out of a 93 installed along with 3.73 gears. I've had it up to 125 mph with no vibration. That driveshaft came from a salvage yard for $125 then I had it checked for balance at a driveshaft shop for $10. I've had it in for a couple of years and it's been down the strip 100 times. No problem!
 

driller

El Presidente
[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
... I assume that everyone is unsing the MMX for weight, is there that much of a difference.
[/div]

No I don't think it is weight - it is the blind universal acceptance of a high quality solution to our stock problems of driveline vibrations. Research this and you will find it is not only the build quality but the material selection quality as well.

Also, it is not just the driveshaft, but the resonance of the entire driveline that induces the problematic vibrations. It is also why Lincoln changed the design of the driveshaft to a two piece unit in an effort to cancel out unwanted driveline issues. This was a stopgap measure at best since the new design had inherent high speed problems, but the folks at Lincoln held the critical speed high enough to evade problems with most buyers.

I agree $430 may seem to be a lot for a driveshaft - in yesterday's technology - but today it is the going price for a high quality aftermarket replacement for most high performance vehicles. Price the stock unit at your dealer!

I must admit I was skeptical at first, but the more I looked into it the more assured I became. One thing is clear, the difference with the MMx shaft is absolutely amazing IMHO. If you decide to go this way you will have no regrets.
 

GUS

New member
[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
I've been leaning towards 4.30's for awhile, and they get great reveiws everywhere I look, so those will be it.I've been looking around at custom driveshaft websites and am wondering about steel ones. They can be had for $200 or so. I assume that everyone is unsing the MMX for weight, is there that much of a difference. I hate to be cheap about this, but $430 for a driveshaft is just a whole lot, and I only want it to stand the gears. Thanks.-'94 Frost Green Mark VIII-http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/540247
[/div]

I have 4.30s and would not change them for the world.
 

collegeboy13

New member
I meant the MMX vs. an aftermarket steel shaft, even from Reinhart. I assume that in this case, using the MMX is for weight. Is there that much of a difference in this case, because steel is affordable.
Thanks.

-'94 Frost Green Mark VIII-http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/540247
 

Ponyfreak

New member
I have 4.30's in the pearl car and 3.73's in the red car. They both have their pro's and cons. I would not go 4.10's. IF you are going to do it, go 3.73 to get more gear, but not have to replace driveshaft, or go all out with 4.30's or 4.56's for a mild n/a application.
 

Boz

New member
"IF you are going to do it, go 3.73 to get more gear, but not have to replace driveshaft, or go all out with 4.30's or 4.56's for a mild n/a application."

What about 3.90 gears? Do you think a driveshaft replacement would be necessary for them?


97 Opal LSC
"Knowing is half the battle" Gi Joe
 

driller

El Presidente
Technically it is the weight - but not in the sense of extra weight that makes the car heavier. The weight is the rotational mass vs. the diameter and length restrictions which gives the resonance character of the assembly and determines the critical speed at which driveline vibrations occur. You make the critical speed higher by making the driveshaft stiffer and lighter since the diameter and length are limited. This is where the composite aluminum construction is vastly superior to steel.

You would need to find someone who may have a steel driveshaft as to the characteristics on the Mark VIII platform. I've never known any.
 

PHRANQUY

New member
Grifter, did you find out anything on those steel shafts we were talking about on the way either up to or back from Fargo?
 
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