If I cut my drive shaft shorter will it ruin my fuel economy?

Question

I have a 1979 Chevy Camaro and i blew up the old transmission. I have a new turbo hydromatic 350, but the tail is too long will cutting the drive shaft shorter ruin my fuel economy?

Answer 1

It shouldnt  change your fuel economy but that can be exspencive, since it will have to be done at a shop aqnd they have to cut, weald, and balence your drive shaft yould be better to find a shorter tail shaft and install that.

Answer 2

your removing weight and that helps (although it is nothing you will see) it will not hurt your gas mileage in any way.

you may want to consider a lighter stronger shaft all together it is just a simple measurement from u-joint to u-joint

i have extended, shortened, and have had shafts with very extreme travel and of course balanced.

in your case instead of paying for the labor to shorten the shaft you may consider a lighter stronger aluminum shaft

of course this is just a recommendation

the difference in price ($200 for shorten and balance and paint exp) may be a hundred more but you are getting a new stronger shaft that will slide in place like stock instead of sliding that old shaft into place

if you do go with the old shaft. Make sure they grind down the surface weld on the weights prime and paint the old modified shaft a good drive shaft shop should do this without you asking but I have come across some that i have had to hand the shaft back and tell them to do it right.

goodluck

Answer 3

Obviously none of the above posters have ever done driveshaft work.

Your issue is very common and any driveshaft company will be happy to cut your shaft and make it work for less than $200. The only thing you need to do is measure the distance from yoke to yoke ( rear end to trans ). When you find what driveshaft company your going to use call them and ask where they want you to measure from for exact instructions.

Answer 4

Depends on how you cut it. If it is done on a lathe like it should be, you will have no balance issues. It won't affect you fuel use but will increase the torque which will place the shaft and rear end in a hazardous condition since it might break the shaft or the universals or strip the gear teeth from the rear end. Any thing beyond a four inch reduction in shaft length would give me pause to think.

Answer 5

no but if you cut your driveshaft yourself you could have balance issues, your better off getting one made for you, the only thing that could change ur fuel economy is the transmission gearing itself.