Drive shaft couplers - stock, poly or ?
 

There are some threads concerning this in the tech section but I think this group is probably more relevant to the need for fortified drive shaft couplers. What are you using to upgrade the giubos to handle the high hp/tq values FI delivers? I'm curious as to what the ZR1 and C7 Z06 are using for couplers and if those setups are similar to the C5/C6 layouts. Those drivetrains are usually validated to 100K so the drive components should be extremely stout.

I'm in the process of adding a Vortech and just upgraded to an LG carbon fiber drive shaft and solid rear coupler and I installed a polyurethane coupler up front but I'm wondering if that's the right choice for the ~550-700 rwhp range in terms of reliability/longevity. I've heard reports of failed poly couplers but the stock giubos seem just as prone to failure at these power levels. I considered the Prothane "Six-shooter" version but it looks as if it might transmit a little too much vibration to a mostly street-driven setup.

What are you using and is the empirical data with stock or aftermarket and, if aftermarket, which has the best record?

I have one six shooter and one stock. Have not noticed any vibrations. Some run two, but like you, I was concerned about vibrations as I commute mine.

Very interested in this as well. Going to pull my trans out soon and want to do it right the first time.

call the driveshaft shop..they will hook you up

Stock GM couplers on mine, up to 1000hp. I check them every other year or so, and they're holding up fine.

This where I got my poly coupler from - I'm wondering if these are some of the couplers that have reportedly failed. I was going to swap it out with a Prothane or a stock coupler if that's the case.

RPM rebuilt mine with ZR1 couplers

This is what I was wondering - sounds like the ZR1 couplers are the way to go for a good NVH/durability compromise.

Does anyone have a part number?

Thanks.

The six shooter couplers have had some reported failures.
I have two poly couplers from DSS, as for NVH, if I didn't tell you they were in there you would never be able to tell.

What were the failure modes for the six-shooters, if you know?

Thanks - very instructive. So it looks like either a stock ZR1, OEM C5 rubber coupler or the DSS poly are still in the running. I think the CF drive shaft I switched to should drastically cut down on whip and minimize cyclic fatiguing on the couplers.

Any shop that pushes the 6 shooter couplers needs a swift kick in the nuts. Just fixed the mistake of the PO of my car. What a POS product.

I have billet couplers on mine. I thought that with them and a Spec 3+ clutch that there would be more drivetrain vibration, but it really is not bad at all.

PO of my car had his stock coupler rip apart and ruin his clutch one day @ ~600hp. I didn't want that to happen to me.

my units blew up last year and destroyEd the entire drive line including tube I replaced it with the stock units again if I had to do it over again I would use the billet aluminum models 09Z

What was wrong with yours? I just installed 2 in my tube

:lurk: more info on this one, tearing my clutch again so could address that issue.

See the link above. Mine came apart as well. The design is pure ****. mine took out the pilot bearing, torque tube, input shaft bearings were so shot you could actually move the damn thing and the trans hadnt been rebuilt very long ago. Pretty much everything they come in contact with had to be replaced/rebuilt and I was only at 600rw. not sure how long the PO had them in, but damn sure couldnt have been long. My advice is get them things out of your car.

A member here in the Tech section is undaunted by these types of reports and stated in another thread he is going to go with the Six Shooter in his C5. I'm going to monitor his progress to see if he has any issues - he swears by Prothane and claims he's never seen a failure in any of their products.

In the meantime, I had orderd a Six Shooter at half price but will not swap it in but leave my solid/poly setup alone for now. I have the LG CF drive shaft which should reduce whip and resultant stress on the couplers. I do still have the original rubber couplers that I pulled off the drive shaft last week and they only have 7700 miles on them so look almost brand new. I am keeping those as a fallback if I feel like the poly coupler becomes a problem. ECS tells me they've never had a problem with DSS poly couplers - I think any shop that builds some of the highest hp C5's/C6's around has the credibility to be trusted for an opinion on this.

i do not see the poly couplers listed on the DSS web site..