Shortening Driveshaft

[LKTe30]

From flange to flange I have 55 3/4 inches, so I need to shorten my driveshaft. I took it to a shop here in Richmond Va and they said that they could not shorten a BMW driveshaft and that they could also not get flanges that would fit to make a 1 piece shaft. All of this due to BMW using friction welding and that BMW doesn't use an american style u-joint.

Anyone else ever heard of or had this happen? I am thinking that the shop is partly making excuses because they don't want to mess with it.

[bender]

why do you need to make it shorter?

[LKTe30]

Have put a m30b35 in my e30 and the stock driveshaft from the e30 and also from the e28 are to long.

[bender]

its true that its not a standard u-joint and is not available. i'm not sure if its true that they can't cut and somehow reweld it though.

what have other people done for this swap?

otherwise you can make adapter flanges at either end and make a one piece driveshaft using standard universals, tubing.

[Funkmasta]

From flange to flange I have 55 3/4 inches, so I need to shorten my driveshaft. I took it to a shop here in Richmond Va and they said that they could not shorten a BMW driveshaft and that they could also not get flanges that would fit to make a 1 piece shaft. All of this due to BMW using friction welding and that BMW doesn't use an american style u-joint.

Anyone else ever heard of or had this happen? I am thinking that the shop is partly making excuses because they don't want to mess with it.

what trans are you using?

[euroshark]

I had my driveshaft shortened by 1 3/16". I was using a Getrag 265 and E30.de mounts as far back as possible. The guy had no problem cutting and welding it, the only hitch was that the driveshaft I used was from an early euro 635CSi and the tubing size was hard to come by, so he did some fancy sleeving and whatnot. It was gorgeous and cost right around $125.

[Funkmasta]

I had my driveshaft shortened by 1 3/16". I was using a Getrag 265 and E30.de mounts as far back as possible. The guy had no problem cutting and welding it, the only hitch was that the driveshaft I used was from an early euro 635CSi and the tubing size was hard to come by, so he did some fancy sleeving and whatnot. It was gorgeous and cost right around $125.

*MOST* places won't touch a BMW driveshaft. You can order a to-spec driveline from driveline service in Portland.

But, again, which trans are you using? and where does your motor sit?

[LKTe30]

transmission is the g265 and the engine is in position 2.

I went to another shop today and I think I am going to get some adapter plates made to use a standard u-joint and a solid driveshaft.

[Funkmasta]

Not sure about "Position 2" but with a 265, you should be able to use an E30 M3 driveline, or maybe a driveline from an E36 328

[LKTe30]

Not sure about "Position 2"

Have the .de mounts and of the 2 holes Im using the hole that puts the engine closer to the front of the car.

[Doughnut]

I had my driveshaft shortened by 1 3/16". I was using a Getrag 265 and E30.de mounts as far back as possible. The guy had no problem cutting and welding it, the only hitch was that the driveshaft I used was from an early euro 635CSi and the tubing size was hard to come by, so he did some fancy sleeving and whatnot. It was gorgeous and cost right around $125.

This is exactly what I'm doing, I have a 265 and am going to use the 635Csi shaft it came from. This has helped me.

Good luck LKTe30, maybe your shop that you went to was lazy?

[euroshark]

Doughnut, when and if you have yours cut, maybe have them do it just a bit less than 1 3/16". I'm sure you will measure first, I'm just throwing it out there because when it was said and done it would have fit a tiny bit better if I had gone 1 1/8". This is the front section we are talking about too, just for the record.

[Doughnut]

Doughnut, when and if you have yours cut, maybe have them do it just a bit less than 1 3/16". I'm sure you will measure first, I'm just throwing it out there because when it was said and done it would have fit a tiny bit better if I had gone 1 1/8". This is the front section we are talking about too, just for the record.

Oops, should have read you advice a little earlier - I have since had my tailshaft shortened and I'm now worried, i'll fit it up tonight and report back with my results (and pics too).
Just to clarify, I am talking about the front section (from back of box to centre bearing.

Cheers (sory about slight thread jack