What drive shaft to use?

Hey fellas, I'm trying to decide the best driveshaft to use for my truck. I'll be running a 350/700r4 with an 87 Camaro rearend. Will a driveshaft from an S10 be strong enough for that, or do I need to find something from a camaro or fullsize truck? It's not gonna be hopped up or anything and I don't plan on dragracing the truck, but I may run it down the track at the Temple Drags this fall one or two times Other than that, it's just gonna be a daily driver. Any suggestions? Thanks, Shawn

 

I am not sure about the driveshaft. You should be worried about which rear end you have. If you have the 1987 Camaro IROC- Z "Aussie" Borg-Warner 3.27:1 4-pinion rear end you have nothing to worry about. It can be identified by the 9-bolt cover and 28-spline axles. It has a 7.75 diameter ring gear and is much stronger than the wimp 10-bolt rear end found in other 1987 Camaros.

The Borg-Warner 3.27:1 Aussie (made in Australia) can take all the abuse you will be able to dish out.

 

Not positive on which one it is. I was told it was from an IROC, but I believe it's a 10 bolt. I haven't really paid much attention to it yet; still getting the engine detailed right now.

 

As far as driveshaft strength, a driveshaft from a s-10 is plenty strong enough for your application. Your probably gonna have to alter the length of the driveshaft for your application so I may suggest getting a shaft from Speedway which they come in various lengths to suit your needs. They are only $90. pretty inexpensive and they use them in roundy round cars to boot.

 

Yeah, I checked those out already. That's definitely an option, but since I already have the S10 one; if it'll work, I think I'm gonna just go with that.

 

That rearend is the weak link and I'd use an S10 shaft in a heartbeat.

I would also let a pro driveshaft shop do it since it's gonna go down the strip. And I'd listen to their advice if the specific shaft in your hand has an issue. Sometimes visually good shafts rust inside and get thin. Bends are usually no big deal.

good luck

 

Great! That's the second rear end I've gotten for my truck already. What's a good one that I won't have to narrow and has 5 on 4.75 bolt pattern?

 

You can still build around the 7.5, I mean there are a million camaros successfully using them. And if it breaks there will always be another in the junkyard. There's a 7 5/8 equipped LT1 Z28 in my garage for the last decade. Beat the hell out of it since new and have only broken the rear once in 90K. Although it's starting to make noises again. But still, it works and has been down the strip a hundred times. If not two hundred.

But there's no way in hell I'm personally building a car around one.

Perhaps consider another angle. Redrilling a pair of axles/drums to your pattern is not expensive. You need to be removing axles for inspection anyway, so they're gonna be in your hands.

GM was notorious for using weak axles in RWD cars. 12 bolts are too old and desireable to find cheap, and the 8.2 10 bolt is weak-suck. That pretty much leaves the 8.5 10 bolt as your choice. The 30 spline version found in police caprices is fairly bulletproof and many argue it's stronger than a 12 bolt. But it's 5x5 pattern. The 28 spline version found in non-police is also a damn good rear and may come with your bolt pattern. They had a decade where they juggled the 7.5 and both versions of the 8.5 AND juggled bolt patterns. So be double sure you know how to identify.

Ford, of course there's the 9", but the yards are full of 8.8 mustangs & explorers. The 8.8 is a damn good diff.

Mopar/AMC, look for the 8 3/4. Pretty much avoid everything else as there's not much aftermarket, or there's not enough inherent strength. Some would recommend a dana 44, but I sure wouldn't after breaking several in the front of SBC 4x4s.

good luck

 

Wow, that's a lot of information I'll have to look over it more closely and keep my eyes out for those options. If it comes down to it, I won't run the truck down the track. I'll just roll up, set it on the ground next to the track and my beer cooler and just watch everyone else Thanks for all the info