IHATESUPRAS

I am running a steel driveshaft in my 99 SS right now because my carbon fiber DS shattered. <img src="gr_sad.gif" border="0"> This new driveshaft sucks a lot. At 130mph my car rattles uncontrollably. I was just curious as to whether or not a carbon fiber driveshaft would be able to handle the power from the motor that an aluminum would. Thanks in advance <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

How did you shatter your carbon fiber driveshaft?

Aluminum is not as strong as carbon fiber if we are comparing driveshafts with the same OD and wall thickness. Now, you could move up to a larger diameter driveshaft, or a thicker wall size and achieve some gains, or you could step up a bit and get a chromoly driveshaft. Carbon fiber ones are better at handling vibrations and are lighter, but I'd say it is a toss up between them and a well-built 'moly one.

Tony
Aluminum driveshaft killer (see website)

ChrisB

Carbon fiber is stronger than aluminum, and also has a much higher critical speed for a given diameter (simply because of it's physical properties).

The problem with carbon fiber is nicks or scratches will GREATLY weaken it. It sounds to me like you had something like that on yours, which is why it shatters. In this chrome moly has a much better longevity. It doesn't nick/scratch nearly as easy, and if it does it doesn't really weaken it, at least not as much.

But carbon fiber is much lighter. As a compromise you can also look at some of the metal matrix driveshafts out there - MMC, dennys, etc. have one. They aren't quite as strong as chrome moly or even carbon fiber (pure), but are lighter and have a better youngs modulus than aluminum.

Chris

IHATESUPRAS

[quote]Originally posted by Nine Ball:
<strong>How did you shatter your carbon fiber driveshaft?

Aluminum is not as strong as carbon fiber if we are comparing driveshafts with the same OD and wall thickness. Now, you could move up to a larger diameter driveshaft, or a thicker wall size and achieve some gains, or you could step up a bit and get a chromoly driveshaft. Carbon fiber ones are better at handling vibrations and are lighter, but I'd say it is a toss up between them and a well-built 'moly one.

Tony
Aluminum driveshaft killer (see website)</strong><hr></blockquote>

I made a stupid mistake by dropping the U joint off the end of it prior to install and then put the bearings back in with some minor dirt attached hoping it would all be fine. I was on the freeway doing about 135 when the U joint shot off and the thing shattered.
Basically, I plan on doing a heads cam package on my car and was just curious as to whether or not the CF driveshaft would hold up under the stresses. I heard you gain more hp at the ground from it. Is this true?
Now you guys have my options open to more alternatives like this chromoly stuff. Decisions decisions. How expensive is it? I can get the CF one for $600. <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />
<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

Jim98WS6

[quote]Originally posted by IHATESUPRAS:
<strong>

I made a stupid mistake by dropping the U joint off the end of it prior to install and then put the bearings back in with some minor dirt attached hoping it would all be fine. I was on the freeway doing about 135 when the U joint shot off and the thing shattered.
Basically, I plan on doing a heads cam package on my car and was just curious as to whether or not the CF driveshaft would hold up under the stresses. I heard you gain more hp at the ground from it. Is this true?
Now you guys have my options open to more alternatives like this chromoly stuff. Decisions decisions. How expensive is it? I can get the CF one for $600. <img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />
<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

I ordered a Denny's 3-1/2" cromoly driveshaft last week and it was $390. This included yoke, u-joint and shipping. Balanced for up to 7800 rpm. Guaranteed for life and has free lifetime labor. What that means is if you ever decide to shorten it or put a different yoke on Denny's will do it for free. I ordered 10 days ago and it should be here today or tomorrow. Pretty good!
As for weight. He didn't have an exact weight since their all different depending on length, yoke, etc but he said the cromoly DS were about 6-8 lbs heavier than an aluminum one.
-Jim

Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

See http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com - is the chromemoly one the Nitrous shaft? that seems to be their top dog...

Whenever my 12-bolt gets here and I get it installed, I'm making measurements and then ordering a Denny's nitrous shaft.

Oh, and parts are not free when / if you change things, but they do give a 40% discount. <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0"> Labor is free, tho.

-Andrew

ChrisB

They shortened my driveshaft for free after I had binding problems (my fault for not measuring, and just requesting a stock length). I just had to pay shipping to them, they covered it back.


Great service - I even got followup calls out of the blue to make sure everything was working out!

Chris

IHATESUPRAS

So, is it true about the lighter driveshafts increasing the amount of horsepower that makes it to the ground???
<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

Jim98WS6

[quote]Originally posted by bigSS:
<strong>Jim - cool! I suppose that this driveshaft will be very strong? Is it going to be heavier than your stock one? When you install it, please, tell us more!</strong><hr></blockquote>

It's their Nitrous Ready driveshaft. He said it's the same one used on some ProMod cars so I guess it'll be strong enough for my car <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">
It'll be heavier than stock 'cause I had the aluminum one stock. I'll weigh it and my stock one after I receive it and post.
Jim

bigSS

Jim - cool! I suppose that this driveshaft will be very strong? Is it going to be heavier than your stock one? When you install it, please, tell us more!