aluminum drive shaft

brian98gt · Sep 30, 2006

i was wondering how an aluminum drive shaft helps performance and what to expect. is it the lighter weight or the strength?

Uncle Meat · Sep 30, 2006

brian98gt said:
i was wondering how an aluminum drive shaft helps performance and what to expect. is it the lighter weight or the strength?

Mainly it's the lighter weight. Less reciprocating weight equals more RWHP. Same effect as using lighter rims & tires.

U.M.

brian98gt · Sep 30, 2006

thats what i kinda figured. so how much of a difference in the 1/4, a tenth or two?

Uncle Meat · Sep 30, 2006

brian98gt said:
thats what i kinda figured. so how much of a difference in the 1/4, a tenth or two?

I think that would be highly optimistic. Even a carbon fiber driveshaft isn't worth that much.

U.M.

BensBACobra · Oct 1, 2006

brian98gt said:
thats what i kinda figured. so how much of a difference in the 1/4, a tenth or two?

i think its similar to the idea behind an alum flywheel, lighter drivetrain components can help the engine rev faster and accelerate smoother, as far as that being translated on the dyno, dont think you'll see any hp gain from it but it does imporve acceleration and thus, the driving experience.

TheCrazy1 · Oct 4, 2006

I put the Ford Motorsport alum driveshaft in mine and noticed a difference right away. The car felt lighter on the takeoff. I saw somewhere that the dyno results showed no change in horsepower output, but a slight increase in rear wheel torque.

MiamiFan1354 · Oct 5, 2006

I would think that torque would show up more than HP anyway. You're going to get the tires spinning faster sooner with a lighter DS, hence more torque. As you get into the higher RPM range, the weight difference isn't going to matter for HP numbers. Maybe be a little more HP down low, but everyone only looks at that top number..

timeless2 · Oct 5, 2006

This could turn into an endless debate, but my spin:
aluminum > cf > stock

Something about fibrous material handling all that torque just doesn't sit well with me.

BensBACobra · Oct 5, 2006

timeless2 said:
This could turn into an endless debate, but my spin:
aluminum > cf > stock

Something about fibrous material handling all that torque just doesn't sit well with me.

I dont think lighter materials translate into being weaker. They certainly arent weaker than stock. Besides, aren't some of the more heavier duty clutches for manual tansmissions significantly smaller in diameter compared to those that are "factory-like replacements?" Isnt the idea there to reduce weight also?

timeless2 · Oct 5, 2006

BensBACobra said:
I dont think lighter materials translate into being weaker. They certainly arent weaker than stock.

I state my case based upon experience and I have seen 2 CF shafts splinter like wood at the road course. AL shafts will likekly never do this.

BensBACobra said:
Besides, aren't some of the more heavier duty clutches for manual tansmissions significantly smaller in diameter compared to those that are "factory-like replacements?" Isnt the idea there to reduce weight also?

Won't argue with you on the basal concept of weight reduction, but the track record I've seen puts the minimal weight difference between AL & CF shafts as a lesser priority than reliability. In application, the CF shaft might get you to the finish line faster, but the AL shaft will get you there for certain (ceteris paribus).

95 yellow 5 0 · Oct 5, 2006

only babied 100 miles so far since install. hear whining (almost whispery sound of metal spinning against metal) only in 3rd and 4th gear really when the throttle is first pressed and as the car speeds up it goes away. can't tell if it's coming from the rear or clutch.
it also vibrated pretty bad on the highway from 2700-3500 RPMS in 5th.
I am going to have the stock d/s put back on tomorrow and see if there is a difference... I'm thinking it will vibrate more but the mechanic says to try it. I went back to the machine shop to ask if the aluminum one they cut isnt balanced right and they said they'd fix it if it was the reason the car vibrated. what else can i check?

also on my last clutch i'd get a sharp squeak noise whenever i shifted fast/hard. tryin to turn left on a main st in traffic had to shift quick 1st to 2nd and it made that noise... any ideas to help me out are appreciated.

brian98gt · Oct 5, 2006

thanks for all the input, i will probably end up going with a frpp aluminum driveshaft. i wasn't expecting much, but i guess with this and all the other mods it can only help 1/4 mile times and not hurt, and its not that expensive. i'm running out of cheap mods and don't have 6,000 to drop on a supercharger yet so i'll keep searching for cheap ways to make my car faster.

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