Driveshaft alum vs steel

blue83z · 04-01-2007, 11:46 AM

What are the pros and cons on aluminum vs steel driveshafts.I know alum you have to go bigger on diameter cause not as strong as steel,and I know it absorbs vibration,but does it absorb horsepower too?

Cobra Jay · 04-02-2007, 01:24 AM

Pros-stronger and lighter than steel. Less rotating mass frees up hp and tq to the wheels. Shaves weight from the car.

Cons-can be expnsive in custom made applications.

Carbon fiber is also used to make driveshafts.

blue83z · 04-02-2007, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRIPLEWHITE03GT

Pros-stronger and lighter than steel. Less rotating mass frees up hp and tq to the wheels. Shaves weight from the car.

Cons-can be expnsive in custom made applications.

Carbon fiber is also used to make driveshafts.

If the only cons are $ then Im getting one.Thanks.

blk00rt · 04-02-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue83z

If the only cons are $ then Im getting one.Thanks.

aluminum is lighter, I believe you can spin it more rpms...at certian lengths they force you to go aluminum due to rotating mass. Mine had to be 5" aluminum because steel would not last at 700 hp and 68" long drive shaft.
At least that is what the drive shaft shop told me.

Cobra Jay · 04-03-2007, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue83z

If the only cons are $ then Im getting one.Thanks.

Yeah pretty much only thing is the cost if you can't find one for your car "Off the shelf". And the only reason is because the incrase in the price of aluminum in the past 3-4 years.

DTS can hook you up.

blue83z · 04-05-2007, 05:04 AM

Thanks.Im going with Mark williams,custom length 47"x3-1/2 Aluminum.Should be the last shaft I ever buy.800$ with yoke.

blk00rt · 04-05-2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue83z

Thanks.Im going with Mark williams,custom length 47"x3-1/2 Aluminum.Should be the last shaft I ever buy.800$ with yoke.

damn..that seems high...mine was less than that for a 5" aluminum driveshaft 68" long.

Cobra Jay · 04-06-2007, 01:42 AM

No problem, but yeah that seems real high.

Did you try DTS? They can get custom shafts made. I had them do one for a 71 RR with a Koffels built 413 Max Wedge and it was good to handle 800 lbft. Don't rememeber what I paid but it was less than $500 for it.

blue83z · 04-06-2007, 01:42 PM

I know its high,but its good to 1200hp.Its not welded either,and its some special material aluminum prostocks use.Ive have alot of shaft problems in past.I guess its just piece of mind more than anything.Thanks

SloNotch · 04-06-2007, 07:15 PM

DTS sends their driveshafts to a place called CCI. You can save by going there directly.

blue83z · 04-11-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloNotch

DTS sends their driveshafts to a place called CCI. You can save by going there directly.

Thats Camerons Cove.They are good and inexpensive,but they cant gaurentee me 1000 hp with aluminum.Neither can Dynotech.Mark williams is the onely one not worried about 1000HP.Dynotech said they cant get that metal matrix badass shit anymore for a while.they use just plain aluminum.

Cobra Jay · 04-11-2007, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue83z

I know its high,but its good to 1200hp.Its not welded either,and its some special material aluminum prostocks use.Ive have alot of shaft problems in past.I guess its just piece of mind more than anything.Thanks

If they guarentee it's good for 1200hp, then you should be good to go.

Especially with a Chebby.

camaromann · 07-01-2008, 01:00 AM

wow! Mine is good to almost 2,000 hp and it is 3 1/2 inch 50 and 1/16 long steel 1350 series u-joint....paid just over $300 with a new slip yoke for a turbo 400. call CCI.

camaromann · 07-01-2008, 01:02 AM

To correct myself, my drive shaft can withstand almost 2,500 hp and will spin to 10,400rpm's.......not that it will ever see that..lol.

camaro1982 · 06-27-2010, 02:45 AM

i'm running a 3 1/2 inch by 45 1/2 steel drive shaft with 1350 u-joints and almost 700hp and have had no problems. paid $290 from indiana driveline.