Original driveshaft on a ls2?

[Patobusta]

Hi there.. I'm in the process of first starting my newly swapped ls2/4l65 monte.

After reading terror stories about the 7.5 I pulled the trigger into a GN 8.5, 3.42 posi.

Was about to cut the driveshaft when a doubt arise... Will the original 2 1/2" driveshaft, designed for the 100hp engine the car had survive under my ls2? No slicks, not even sticky or fat tires.. at least not yet...

What you think.. will it hold? Or it is a ticking time bomb?

Thanks!

 

[oldsmobile joe]

tick, tock
i doubt you'll get enough traction, but it is the next weak link.
and install a good driveshaft loop.

 

[fleming442]

Why would you even consider it?

 

[81cutlass]

By the time you pay to cut it down its going to be incrementally more to get a new one. A new one from a truck shop is $200-$300 whereas they are going to charge $150 to cut it down probably.

If you do want a stock driveshaft to limp around a th350 2nd gen firebird is the right length for a 60/65e 8.5.

I have a t56/8.5 in my setup and found a old NASCAR driveshaft on ebay for $50 that I went with.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Yep, what they said! I had a 3" steel unit built to couple the 4L80E and 8.5" in my Cutlass. I have zero fear of that driveshaft failing now!

 

[Patobusta]

Are OEM yokes is up to the task? I have no experience in this so will I be reusing them on the new shaft?
Because my oem is just 2.5" wide.. so I think my front and rear yokes cannot be reused if I go to 3" tube...

 

[Injectedcutty]

Are OEM yokes is up to the task? I have no experience in this so will I be reusing them on the new shaft?
Because my oem is just 2.5" wide.. so I think my front and rear yokes cannot be reused if I go to 3" tube...

Shouldn't matter, there are combo yokes to achieve this. I have the big 1350 yoke on the trans end because that's what the 80E comes with. I have a 1350/3R combo yoke on the diff side. Once I upgrade my rearend I'll get a 1350 pinion yoke and upgrade the u joint.

 

[81cutlass]

I had a cheap eBay 1350 yoke for my t56.

With drag radials, a blown 6.0 and a stick it twisted with 3000rpm clutch dumps at the track.

I ended up getting a forged sonnax to replace it.