Non-OE driveshaft alternatives?

[cornerbalanced]

My car is super clunky. Clutch in/out, shifting into gear, sharply accelerating from a lower RPM…etc.

My car has a diffsonline 3 clutch (35/60) and AKG diff bushingsc so I don’t suspect it’s my diff/diff bushings. That leads me to my driveshaft? I think I have worn u-joints.

All of this to say, what’s my best course of action for replacing? I don’t necessarily want to spend ~$2,000 on a new OE drive shaft. Anywhere I could buy a manufactured one? There’s a driveshaftshop carbon one for sale to me locally…maybe go that route? Thanks in advance all…

[Epsilon]

I think the driveshaftshop carbon DS uses a solid metal GUIBO.

[stephen]

Powertrain Industries makes a solid factory replacement driveshaft. Have had good experiences with two of their driveshafts on my cars and no issues with ones installed on customer cars.

[davidinnyc]

What about the E9x carbon driveshaft conversion? I’m curious.

[dHam_Slow.46M]

What about the E9x carbon driveshaft conversion? I’m curious.

This or the F8x Carbon DS. Will need minor work, but the few who've done it say it's worth the wait and at a fraction of a new E46 DS

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/245421-f8x-m3-m4-cf-drive-shaft-mod

[Nate047]

Do you have a specific reason why you think it’s the U-joint vs the center support bearing or guibo?

TBH I would consider doing the F8X carbon driveshaft retrofit. Just need to know a verified good shop, ideally in California.

[Projecte46m3]

I'm running a carbon driveshaft from YFCM and its excellent!!! No install issues, no vibration, no NVH...and its connected to a diff with 3-clutch 35/60 ramps w/4.10 gear and a lightweight flywheel & carbon kevlar clutch...Revs are ridiculous! Love it here!

[cornerbalanced]

I'm running a carbon driveshaft from YFCM and its excellent!!! No install issues, no vibration, no NVH...and its connected to a diff with 3-clutch 35/60 ramps w/4.10 gear and a lightweight flywheel & carbon kevlar clutch...Revs are ridiculous! Love it here!

Very, very tempting. How’s the NVH with the lightweight flywheel?

[cornerbalanced]

Do you have a specific reason why you think it’s the U-joint vs the center support bearing or guibo?

TBH I would consider doing the F8X carbon driveshaft retrofit. Just need to know a verified good shop, ideally in California.

The CSB and guibo have both been replaced in the past ~30-50,000 miles. It could be a poorly installed guibo (trans bolts in wrong places) … but if I’m dropping the driveshaft to see, I should probably replace it anyways. My car has 180,000 miles lol.

I’ve considered an F8X carbon driveshaft, however…I’d need to purchase both an F8X driveshaft, an OE driveshaft, and then incur the cost/lead time to have everything converted by a local shop. Just a lot of logistics…with work, limited space/time, it might be better to buy a plug and play solution. Unless anyone has a pre-converted F8X driveshaft to sell me =)

[Projecte46m3]

Very, very tempting. How’s the NVH with the lightweight flywheel?

It's actually not bad at all! I think people over exaggerate or very sensitive...Don't get me wrong there is bit there at idle but non-existent when cruising. I noticed if I tapped the pedal to raise the idle to 1100 then it all goes away...sooo i'll be permanently raising the idle to 1100 and it would be just like stock imo..

[Mayan-Viking]

I'm running the YFCM unit with stock flywheel and I'm very happy with it.

[0-60motorsports]

The CSB and guibo have both been replaced in the past ~30-50,000 miles. It could be a poorly installed guibo (trans bolts in wrong places) … but if I’m dropping the driveshaft to see, I should probably replace it anyways. My car has 180,000 miles lol.

I’ve considered an F8X carbon driveshaft, however…I’d need to purchase both an F8X driveshaft, an OE driveshaft, and then incur the cost/lead time to have everything converted by a local shop. Just a lot of logistics…with work, limited space/time, it might be better to buy a plug and play solution. Unless anyone has a pre-converted F8X driveshaft to sell me =)

Same here