S14 5-Speed Driveshaft Help?

[keeeban]

Hey guys, I'm almost done sourcing all my parts for my 5-Speed swap on my 1996 S14 SE; the question I have is about the driveshaft.
Since my car is an SE model, it comes with ABS and VLSD correct?
I've read online that I can keep my rear section of my Auto driveshaft and get a 5-Speed front section, and that should work. Is this right? Or would I need to buy a 5-Speed front and rear sections with ABS?
I'm trying to get every detail down to the dot on parts, so I don't buy anything that is not required.

Thanks for any input in advance.

[essforteen]

Use rear half of automatic and front of manual get balanced if you want mount and done!@!!!

[ManoNegra]

Originally Posted by keeeban

Hey guys, I'm almost done sourcing all my parts for my 5-Speed swap on my 1996 S14 SE; the question I have is about the driveshaft.
Since my car is an SE model, it comes with ABS and VLSD correct?
I've read online that I can keep my rear section of my Auto driveshaft and get a 5-Speed front section, and that should work. Is this right? Or would I need to buy a 5-Speed front and rear sections with ABS?
I'm trying to get every detail down to the dot on parts, so I don't buy anything that is not required.

Thanks for any input in advance.

no, not correct
I've had 3 SEs and none came with ABS nor VLSD

upper left hand, that's the ABS unit (s13, couldn't readily find an S14 one)
you car has that?



VLSDs usually have sticker on them stating such
or you can spin the wheels to check

[keeeban]

Originally Posted by essforteen

Use rear half of automatic and front of manual get balanced if you want mount and done!@!!!

I hope so!

Originally Posted by ManoNegra

no, not correct
I've had 3 SEs and none came with ABS nor VLSD

upper left hand, that's the ABS unit (s13, couldn't readily find an S14 one)
you car has that?



VLSDs usually have sticker on them stating such
or you can spin the wheels to check

Here's an engine bay pic of my car:



By the upper left, I believe you mean the unit under the Silver VIN badge?
So by the looks of it I don't have ABS; so would I just be able to get a 5-Speed front end part of the driveshaft and be good to go? Or does having VLSD affect it also?
Not to ask too much, but what should I look for if I spin my wheels to check for VLSD?

EDIT: Here's a better pic

This wouldn't be the ABS would it?


Thanks for the help, means a lot.

[ManoNegra]

yup, no ABS in your car
(clean bay btw)
differential won't affect the drive shaft length in your case
whether you have an open (the likely case) or VLSD pumpkin in there
open diff - you can hold one tire and spin the other, not the case with a VLSD

one a note, you can get a 1 piece driveshaft nowadays for ~$250
that would be my recommendation
lighter, new joints and eliminate the tired carrier bearing which tends to squeal with age

[keeeban]

Originally Posted by ManoNegra

yup, no ABS in your car
(clean bay btw)
differential won't affect the drive shaft length in your case
whether you have an open (the likely case) or VLSD pumpkin in there
open diff - you can hold one tire and spin the other, not the case with a VLSD

one a note, you can get a 1 piece driveshaft nowadays for ~$250
that would be my recommendation
lighter, new joints and eliminate the tired carrier bearing which tends to squeal with age

I hated the bay when it was dirty, so I spent a good hour cleaning it up

And thanks for the help! I'll be on the lookout for a 1-piece, but since I'm on a budget at the moment, I AM able to re-use the rear end of my auto driveshaft, and replace the front end with a 5-speed right?
If not, I'm just going to wait longer and save up for a 1-piece. :ghey:

[mestizo]

The way it works with auto and manual drive shafts is this...

front half length = manual or auto

rear half = abs or non abs

I have done several auto to manual swaps you can use a 5 speed front half with your existing rear half and it will fit perfect. About the only thing you would need to do is have it balanced, however this has never been an issue for the people who I did the swaps for.

[keeeban]

Originally Posted by mestizo

The way it works with auto and manual drive shafts is this...

front half length = manual or auto

rear half = abs or non abs

I have done several auto to manual swaps you can use a 5 speed front half with your existing rear half and it will fit perfect. About the only thing you would need to do is have it balanced, however this has never been an issue for the people who I did the swaps for.

Sounds good to me. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the help!

[GSXRJJordan]

I recommend getting a one-piece manual tranny driveshaft made, there are multiple places that make them cheap. I know R&D Factory used to sell them for around $200, and since S14 M/T driveshafts can go for as much as $150, it's not much more expensive while being lighter/stronger than the stock unit.

[keeeban]

Originally Posted by GSXRJJordan

I recommend getting a one-piece manual tranny driveshaft made, there are multiple places that make them cheap. I know R&D Factory used to sell them for around $200, and since S14 M/T driveshafts can go for as much as $150, it's not much more expensive while being lighter/stronger than the stock unit.

I was thinking the same thing. I might as well go 1-piece so I don't have to deal with anything going wrong later. I have a couple friends that I can talk to to have one made, or get some kind of discount from.
Thanks for the input!

[s14unimog]

think about the future though. If you decided later that you want to go to a VLSD unit, if you don't already have one, you'll likely purchase one from an ABS car and so the housing will be 1/2" longer than the non-ABS housing. Just some food for thought.

[GSXRJJordan]

Originally Posted by s14unimog

think about the future though. If you decided later that you want to go to a VLSD unit, if you don't already have one, you'll likely purchase one from an ABS car and so the housing will be 1/2" longer than the non-ABS housing. Just some food for thought.

Most 1pc driveshafts are made 5/8"-3/4" short. He'd still be fine, although closer than before... but the real question is why the hell would anyone upgrade to a VLSD (and have to get new axles) when they can get a REAL LSD for a couple hundred extra bucks?

[omgRWDgoodness!]

Originally Posted by GSXRJJordan

... but the real question is why the hell would anyone upgrade to a VLSD (and have to get new axles) when they can get a REAL LSD for a couple hundred extra bucks?

Because an $80 Z32 VLSD + $30 J30 halfshafts = $120. That's a difference of a little more than a "couple hundred extra bucks" compared to a $900 1.5 way.

[GSXRJJordan]

Originally Posted by omgRWDgoodness!

Because an $80 Z32 VLSD + $30 J30 halfshafts = $120. That's a difference of a little more than a "couple hundred extra bucks" compared to a $900 1.5 way.

J30 axles are becoming rarer and rarer because the S14 guys need them, here in socal it's actually easier to find 180sx axles from Japan. I've seen lots go for $100-$150, and used two ways are about $500.

Regardless, I've posted my advice, having been there, built FD cars, and helped countless others go from stock to competitive. You've posted yours. I'm done.

[s14unimog]

Originally Posted by GSXRJJordan

Most 1pc driveshafts are made 5/8"-3/4" short.

Some, not all. Mine was only 1/2" so I had contact after installing an ABS housed VLSD.

[my1s14]

I have a similar question, (sorry for thread jacking) I got an s13 tranny and drive shaft for dirt cheap and know i need one for an s14. But the question: Would the front half of the s13 one fit on the back half of the s14?