Vibration at higher speed
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 87
From: Locust Grove, VA
Vibration at higher speed Just bought a 97 Camaro built to 427 hp and when she hits around 80 mph there is a vibration that feels to be between engine and trans. But that's it, after 80 mph it s gone. Its first time Ive owned car with high hp and just don't know if its normal mechanics or what. Its not like a sloppy somethings loose vibration but I notice it. Any advice??
11 Second Club
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 13
From: New Orleans, LA
Welcome to the F Body world where some things are just unexplainable lol.. But I know exactly what your talking about.. It sounds like driveshaft flex.. It's seems to affect cars with big gears and only at hwy speeds..
That's a known issue with many of the steel driveshafts in these cars; it gets worse with shorter gears in the rear end. Upgrading to the LS1 aluminum driveshaft helps; it's also lighter; reducing rotating mass is a good thing! Faster acceleration, and it's better at dampening vibrations in general more than steel. I highly recommend one!
Problem with the LS1 DS is they have under 1/8" wall thickness IIRC and are a liability if you plan on drag racing it.
Since the car is modified that opens up a can of worms.
-Is the suspension modified?
-Are the wheels properly balanced?
-Does it have an aftermarket driveshaft?
-Does it have an aftermarket rear end?
-Does it have aftermarket wheels?
and many more I can't think of right now.
Since the car is modified that opens up a can of worms.
-Is the suspension modified?
-Are the wheels properly balanced?
-Does it have an aftermarket driveshaft?
-Does it have an aftermarket rear end?
-Does it have aftermarket wheels?
and many more I can't think of right now.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 87
From: Locust Grove, VA
It has a manual trans and yes it is more like the shaking and thudding. The car does have aftermarket wheels(properly balanced), suspension and rearend. Built by reputable shops. I was leaning toward the driveshaft in my own opinion and now this kinda gives me good direction to go in towards eliminating. Thanks for the input***
Trending Topics
Mine had the vibrating issue pretty badly once I put 4.10's in it, which the LS1 driveshaft improved 90% of. Keep in mind many of these cars were recalled from the factory for this issue, it's the whole reason GM upgraded the 98+ cars with them! I also have a LS1 car which is Cadillac smooth at 80+ mph compared to the ancient cast iron LT1 and its legendary vibrating cast iron driveshaft! So, was kinda a no brainer upgrade! 
Make sure you put some brand new heavy duty U-joints in it while it's out. I made the mistake of trusting some old U-joints with no telling how many miles and started getting a bad vibration a couple thousand miles later after putting used LS1 driveshaft in mine when the U-joint behind the trans started wearing out, lesson learned!
Make sure you put some brand new heavy duty U-joints in it while it's out. I made the mistake of trusting some old U-joints with no telling how many miles and started getting a bad vibration a couple thousand miles later after putting used LS1 driveshaft in mine when the U-joint behind the trans started wearing out, lesson learned!
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo It has a manual trans and yes it is more like the shaking and thudding. The car does have aftermarket wheels(properly balanced), suspension and rearend. Built by reputable shops. I was leaning toward the driveshaft in my own opinion and now this kinda gives me good direction to go in towards eliminating. Thanks for the input***
If the car was 100% built correctly by reputable shops you wouldn't be having this issue to begin with IMO. Not trying to be a dick but just saying there are some things to check before you start throwing parts at it.