LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Vibration through car

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 07:34 AM
  #1  
thumpr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default Vibration through car

Hello car nuts. I have a 94 Z28 LT4 355. Hope someone can help me with a vibration issue. Running a 3:73 gear with 3 1/2 aluminum drive shaft. While driving at about 60-65 I start getting a vibration, once I back off the throttle it intensifies significantly. If I get back into throttle it settles down but still there. Now here's the funny part, if I barely tap brake petal it goes away and soon as I get back to throttle it comes right back. I have asked many people and nobody has been able to help. I went to Shane Burgess from Thunder Racing and he has no answers. So I thought maybe someone here might have an idea.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 09:08 AM
  #2  
ahritchie's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Did you replace the U-joints on the aluminum driveshaft when it was installed? If not, you probably have some play in one of the U-joints. I had the same issue with junkyard LS1 driveshaft, put in new heavy duty U-joints and vibration was gone...I'd replace both if you don't know the mileage they have.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 09:25 AM
  #3  
great421's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
Default

Speaking from experience, an aluminum drive shaft = vibration issues.

Have the unit straightened and balanced.

(FYI = I have my 3" aluminum drive shaft straightened and balanced about every 2 years.)

Having said that, as "Ahritchie" stated, new u-joints could be required as well.

If it's not the ds, then in addition to having the wheels balanced, shaving the tires (to make them perfectly round) could help as well.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 09:43 AM
  #4  
thumpr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Is there a way to "test" to see if driveshaft is the problem?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 04:04 PM
  #5  
ahritchie's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Does it "clunk" when put in gear? Grab one side of the joint and fondle around the other side and look for play or stick a big screwdriver in it and try levering it...there should not be any play obviously.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2014 | 09:01 PM
  #6  
thumpr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

There is no play and it does not clunk. I'm going to put it on jack stands and try having someone put it in gear and feel the tail shaft for a vibration.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 12:19 AM
  #7  
SS RRR's Avatar
Village Troll
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,111
Likes: 598
From: Jackstandican
Default

Usually if there is a bent/unbalanced driveshaft issue the vibration will be constant once a certain speed is reached regardless if the car is accelerating or decelerating, or if there is slack in the drivetrain. It's possible the backlash in the diff. could be out of whack. Not sure if it would be u-joints. Usually those make noise under acceleration.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 05:20 AM
  #8  
bufmatmuslepants's Avatar
12 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
Default

Could be your rear end has given out, pull the cover and inspect.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 08:05 AM
  #9  
thumpr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bufmatmuslepants
Could be your rear end has given out, pull the cover and inspect.
I checked the rear. New Richmond 3:73 gears. No noise coming from rear end/housing.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 04:10 PM
  #10  
speed2b's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Gastonia nc.
Default

I had the same problem in my 95 Z28 after I put 4.10 gears in it . No body new what it was and then one day we put it on the lift and I noticed it had a very slight wobble in the passenger side tire after we found out it wasn't the tire or rim it was the axle . It was just barely noticeable replaced it and it stopped . The axle was bent from hard take offs, soon after I replaced the other one . Make sure there heavy duty and if you haven't already put a heavy duty transmission mont in . I hope this helps
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 06:03 PM
  #11  
thumpr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by speed2b
I had the same problem in my 95 Z28 after I put 4.10 gears in it . No body new what it was and then one day we put it on the lift and I noticed it had a very slight wobble in the passenger side tire after we found out it wasn't the tire or rim it was the axle . It was just barely noticeable replaced it and it stopped . The axle was bent from hard take
offs, soon after I replaced the other one . Make sure there heavy duty and
if you haven't already put a heavy duty
transmission mont in . I hope this
helps
Ok, I will have to look into that. Makes sense with how it goes away soon as I put just a touch of pressure on the brake. Thanks.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:00 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE