Alum or Steel Driveshaft ??
Moderator: John_Heard
Alum or Steel Driveshaft ??
What are you guys running with nitrous cars with aprx 1000 hp ? I have been told that a 3 1/2 inch alum would be fine then another shot a 4 inch alum, then told with nitrous that I should have a 3 inch dom steel shaft built. Thats what I get for price shopping .
- jmarkaudio
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I would suggest the largest diameter that will fit under the car, that will be the strongest. A driveshaft, like a pushrod is stronger the larger you can make the diameter. Also why you can gun drill an axle, it's strength is mostly in the outer diameter diminishing in need as you get to the center. I like steel, strong and not as expensive. If you can get a 4" steel built and fits, thats the best. Aluminum and composites save some weight, but also take it out of your wallet.
Mark Whitener
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- John_Heard
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I've read recently about a number of aluminum driveshafts failing in bracket dragsters which you wouldn't think would be too hard on them, but maybe it's the number of cycles. It's made me think twice about aluminum for my next one. I may just go back with chrome moly for my next one.
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driveshaft
I checked about them when rebuilding my car 2 years ago. I was told that alum shafts will twist more on launch which is easier on rears/gears but give you a slower reaction time and also do not live as long as steel ! Carbon shafts are stronger & lighter than both but also have a shorter life cycle than both, not to mention the cost But speed is like money - how fast do you want to spend it
- John_Heard
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My old one is a 3" dia and it weighs 21lbs w/trans yoke. Anyone know what the aluminum ones weigh?
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- John_Heard
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Scott is that with your trans yoke? How long is your driveshaft?aitch o wrote:A 4" alum driveshaft will weigh about 15# give or take, depending on lengths (non-Nova) and wall thicknesses.
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- John_Heard
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Mine's 53" center to center, so that's pretty close. 6 lb savings but... wonder how much difference it really makes since the aluminum is bigger dia?
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Re: driveshaft
Has anyone every done a comparison test on this? How much slower?kyleracer wrote:I was told that alum shafts will twist more on launch which is easier on rears/gears but give you a slower reaction time
I had a 10lb differance with a small CM driveshaft and a Carbon Fiber . I love the carbon Fiber and yes its expensive but when you get in my class 800. for 10lbs is cheap horsepower my nest move is carbo rear brakes and thats 12 to 13 lb differance.
I used a carbon driveshaft in the mid 90's in my 3200lb Pro Street Chevelle and it was running 7.20 195 .
Its all about what you can afford. I ran the smallest dia. Cmoly shaft in are promod with no problems.
Aluminum will not hold up long in high horse power cars.I cant tell you how many of them I have seen spit out at the track
I used a carbon driveshaft in the mid 90's in my 3200lb Pro Street Chevelle and it was running 7.20 195 .
Its all about what you can afford. I ran the smallest dia. Cmoly shaft in are promod with no problems.
Aluminum will not hold up long in high horse power cars.I cant tell you how many of them I have seen spit out at the track
Johnny B.
- Mike Peters
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Who's carbon fiber shaft do you use Johnny? As far as the aluminum shafts, do they show twist before they break and would a stripe painted on them length-wise let you know when the end of the road is near?Racer704 wrote:I had a 10lb differance with a small CM driveshaft and a Carbon Fiber . I love the carbon Fiber and yes its expensive but when you get in my class 800. for 10lbs is cheap horsepower my nest move is carbo rear brakes and thats 12 to 13 lb differance.
I used a carbon driveshaft in the mid 90's in my 3200lb Pro Street Chevelle and it was running 7.20 195 .
Its all about what you can afford. I ran the smallest dia. Cmoly shaft in are promod with no problems.
Aluminum will not hold up long in high horse power cars.I cant tell you how many of them I have seen spit out at the track
"If winning was easy, losers would be doing it"
- Pontiac4ever
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I had a 3-1/2" Denny's Nitrous Ready shaft built last year to replace the 3-1/2" alum. shaft that I had. I knew with over 1000hp it's days were numbered. The Denny's was about 6# heavier, and I didn't notice any performance loss. Plus it has a lifetime warranty. Stay away from alum. unless you can get ahold of MMC alloy, but it's been discontinued.
Craig
Craig
'68 Firebird
498 BBC, F2 ProCharger, CSU carb, 16psi, non-intercooled
8.27 @ 168 on 10.5w's at 3290#'s
498 BBC, F2 ProCharger, CSU carb, 16psi, non-intercooled
8.27 @ 168 on 10.5w's at 3290#'s
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