Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft

Ed Carpenter · 11-22-2010, 04:13 AM

What if any performance gain would there be going to an aluminum driveshaft. I always weigh the cost vs performance gain before buying anything. If 400.00 is going to get you .01 to .02 on the track then forget it. I race on a budjet I have to make smart purchases. Thanks. Ed

richie 2 · 11-22-2010, 08:09 AM

X 2...

Woodro Josey · 11-22-2010, 09:10 AM

ED I doubt you would even see that, save your money as far as i can tell!

jmcarter · 11-22-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodro Josey

ED I doubt you would even see that, save your money as far as i can tell!

Agree with Woodro, not worth the extra $ unless you're after a contingency posting from manufacturer who only pays for the 'premium' series. If it was me I'd rather buy a component proven to yield results (i.e. chiller).

Tom Turner · 11-22-2010, 03:31 PM

I ran a pretty comprehensive back to back test in a pretty good stocker (96 Corvette) Results? zero performance gain. The aluminum unit is lighter so if you are a proponent of movable ballast, that is a plus.

Jeff Lee · 11-22-2010, 05:10 PM

Kip Martin with his 289/210 SS/L broke his aluminum one last year. Borrowed a steel one for the remainder of the race. He said it felt like a slug in high gear. I know it lost a few MPH but don't remember the ET loss, if any. Once he put a new aluminum back in, it was back to it's normal self.
I think a lot of questions need to be more directed at "what you got" and not with blanket statements. 5-speeds seem important to little engines over 4-speeds, same with light-weight parts like wheels & drive shafts.
I have all sorts of light parts. Has it helped set records? Probably. Can't complain about 10.50's in D/S and that's not a little engine.
If I had a 327 like yours, I wouldn't hesitate; 327 is probably about borderline on little engines with 350+ taking over from there.
I do understand budgets though! Could you borrow one?

Jeff Lee · 11-22-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Turner

I ran a pretty comprehensive back to back test in a pretty good stocker (96 Corvette) Results? zero performance gain. The aluminum unit is lighter so if you are a proponent of movable ballast, that is a plus.

And I'll bet a 'Vette has a pretty short length drive shaft w/ a 97" WB so it's hard to compare to the average 108"-112" WB.

Mike Graham · 11-22-2010, 11:52 PM

I tested steel vs al in my SS big block ford. Same day back to back. A-B-A
I gained zip. zero ,nada

7423 · 11-23-2010, 12:38 AM

Ran the OE, 28lbs, 3.5", .120 wall driveshaft in my wanna be stocker for 100 laps. Decided that a lighter driveshaft would make the car quicker and faster. Had my driveline shop make a 3", .065 wall with smaller U joints that was 12lbs lighter than the OEM. Ran this shaft for the last 50 laps. The net ET and MPH difference.............................wait for it................................................ ...ZERO!!!!!!!! This is in a 13 second car at 3320 LBS. Save you $, light driveshafts are like time trials, very over rated!!

Geerhead55 · 11-23-2010, 01:21 AM

Tom,,,if you're feeling a little "slutty" and need a shower,,just step outside,,theres a hell of a storm going on tonight. Just make it brief,,,with wind chills in the teens, you wouldn't want anything to freeze or fall off!! Happy Thanksgiving ( Dang,, we're not even in Minnesnowta!)
Danny Durham

11-22-2010, 04:13 AM	#1
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft What if any performance gain would there be going to an aluminum driveshaft. I always weigh the cost vs performance gain before buying anything. If 400.00 is going to get you .01 to .02 on the track then forget it. I race on a budjet I have to make smart purchases. Thanks. Ed __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

11-22-2010, 08:09 AM	#2
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 967 Likes: 419 Liked 200 Times in 91 Posts	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft X 2...

11-22-2010, 09:10 AM	#3
Woodro Josey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 805 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft ED I doubt you would even see that, save your money as far as i can tell! __________________ Woodro Josey 2002 STK

11-22-2010, 03:31 PM	#5
Tom Turner Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lake Tapps, Washington Posts: 137 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft I ran a pretty comprehensive back to back test in a pretty good stocker (96 Corvette) Results? zero performance gain. The aluminum unit is lighter so if you are a proponent of movable ballast, that is a plus.

11-22-2010, 05:10 PM	#6
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft Kip Martin with his 289/210 SS/L broke his aluminum one last year. Borrowed a steel one for the remainder of the race. He said it felt like a slug in high gear. I know it lost a few MPH but don't remember the ET loss, if any. Once he put a new aluminum back in, it was back to it's normal self. I think a lot of questions need to be more directed at "what you got" and not with blanket statements. 5-speeds seem important to little engines over 4-speeds, same with light-weight parts like wheels & drive shafts. I have all sorts of light parts. Has it helped set records? Probably. Can't complain about 10.50's in D/S and that's not a little engine. If I had a 327 like yours, I wouldn't hesitate; 327 is probably about borderline on little engines with 350+ taking over from there. I do understand budgets though! Could you borrow one? __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

11-22-2010, 11:52 PM	#8
Mike Graham Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 410 Likes: 1 Liked 341 Times in 67 Posts	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft I tested steel vs al in my SS big block ford. Same day back to back. A-B-A I gained zip. zero ,nada

11-23-2010, 12:38 AM	#9
7423 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 639 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft Ran the OE, 28lbs, 3.5", .120 wall driveshaft in my wanna be stocker for 100 laps. Decided that a lighter driveshaft would make the car quicker and faster. Had my driveline shop make a 3", .065 wall with smaller U joints that was 12lbs lighter than the OEM. Ran this shaft for the last 50 laps. The net ET and MPH difference.............................wait for it................................................ ...ZERO!!!!!!!! This is in a 13 second car at 3320 LBS. Save you $, light driveshafts are like time trials, very over rated!!

11-23-2010, 01:21 AM	#10
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft Tom,,,if you're feeling a little "slutty" and need a shower,,just step outside,,theres a hell of a storm going on tonight. Just make it brief,,,with wind chills in the teens, you wouldn't want anything to freeze or fall off!! Happy Thanksgiving ( Dang,, we're not even in Minnesnowta!) Danny Durham