steel or aluminum driveshaft? - Page 3

Jim Caughlin · 12-08-2014, 07:24 PM

As they say on television, "Your results may vary". All I can say is that a low HP combinations like mine, particularly spinning the driveshaft up to 9200 RPM at the finishline should be the most likely candidate for improvement and I got zip. For what it's worth, this was a back to back test so I'm pretty confident of my results. Funny thing is that if I was going to start over, I would buy the lightweight parts regardless. I know in my mind that it has got to be better even if the performance results don't show. At the very least, the weight reduction results in less unsprung weight and allows more static ballast over the rearend.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

Ed Wright · 12-08-2014, 09:25 PM

I always A-B-A stuff like the driveshaft at the track, same day. I did not the spool. Spent that money, and the lightened ring gear, figuring it HAD to be worth SOMETHING. But it was less than 5 lbs lighter than the lightened Strange steel spool. Mine only runs 8500 in the lights.
It ran the weather station predictions equally with both spools.

Mark Ugrich · 12-08-2014, 10:26 PM

I've often wondered if the reason that lightened axles,driveshafts,etc. don't show an increase in performance is because of the short distance we run.In other words if you made the same weight saving modifications to a Bonneville salt flats car, it has a longer period of time to effect the car.Of course they don't measure E.T.and I could be wrong also.

Ed Wright · 12-08-2014, 10:51 PM

The diameter on the weight difference makes a difference. 5lbs on a spool, or an even smaller diameter driveshaft is all that much change in inertia. Five pounds on a 32" tire, for instance, is a different deal. I have a pair of Goodyear radials, same size as my MTs, but five pounds per tire difference. Hook just as hard. Consistent four hundredths slower than the Mickys. Three of it in 60'. I can't imagine how it could be anything but weight.

I spent money to get six more pounds off a crankshaft during a freshen up also. Saw nothing. A very low hp engine? Maybe.

flash · 12-09-2014, 09:56 AM

can anybody see a reaction time difference with changing to light weight driveline componets ? I would think it would be very small if you could gauge it at all.

SSDiv6 · 12-09-2014, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash

can anybody see a reaction time difference with changing to light weight driveline componets ? I would think it would be very small if you could gauge it at all.

Like it has been shared on this discussion by many, there are lots of variables involved. One of the main gains that many have seen is switching to lighter rear wheels.

Ed Wright · 12-09-2014, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

Like it has been shared on this discussion by many, there are lots of variables involved. One of the main gains that many have seen is switching to lighter rear wheels.

Yeppers, or rear tires.

MEXJOE · 12-09-2014, 11:48 AM

What are the wights of the this 3, 9x30 radials?
Hoosier
M/T
GOOD YEAR

buzzinhalfdozen · 12-09-2014, 11:56 AM

Can't comment on any performance increases, I've always bought the lite stuff. On a new build I'd say pay the extra money and go lite, not sure if I'd purchase "extra" lite components trying to improve performance. In my opinion engine upgrades, convereter, gearing would be a better place to spend that money.

Ed Wright · 12-09-2014, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEXJOE

What are the wights of the this 3, 9x30 radials?
Hoosier
M/T
GOOD YEAR

Glen, I don't use 9" tires. I have no idea.

12-08-2014, 07:24 PM	#21
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 680 Likes: 77 Liked 789 Times in 241 Posts	Re: steel or aluminum driveshaft? As they say on television, "Your results may vary". All I can say is that a low HP combinations like mine, particularly spinning the driveshaft up to 9200 RPM at the finishline should be the most likely candidate for improvement and I got zip. For what it's worth, this was a back to back test so I'm pretty confident of my results. Funny thing is that if I was going to start over, I would buy the lightweight parts regardless. I know in my mind that it has got to be better even if the performance results don't show. At the very least, the weight reduction results in less unsprung weight and allows more static ballast over the rearend. Jim Caughlin SS 6019

12-08-2014, 09:25 PM	#22
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: steel or aluminum driveshaft? I always A-B-A stuff like the driveshaft at the track, same day. I did not the spool. Spent that money, and the lightened ring gear, figuring it HAD to be worth SOMETHING. But it was less than 5 lbs lighter than the lightened Strange steel spool. Mine only runs 8500 in the lights. It ran the weather station predictions equally with both spools. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

12-08-2014, 10:26 PM	#23
Mark Ugrich Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Auburndale,Florida Posts: 220 Likes: 29 Liked 71 Times in 38 Posts	Re: steel or aluminum driveshaft? I've often wondered if the reason that lightened axles,driveshafts,etc. don't show an increase in performance is because of the short distance we run.In other words if you made the same weight saving modifications to a Bonneville salt flats car, it has a longer period of time to effect the car.Of course they don't measure E.T.and I could be wrong also.

12-08-2014, 10:51 PM	#24
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: steel or aluminum driveshaft? The diameter on the weight difference makes a difference. 5lbs on a spool, or an even smaller diameter driveshaft is all that much change in inertia. Five pounds on a 32" tire, for instance, is a different deal. I have a pair of Goodyear radials, same size as my MTs, but five pounds per tire difference. Hook just as hard. Consistent four hundredths slower than the Mickys. Three of it in 60'. I can't imagine how it could be anything but weight. I spent money to get six more pounds off a crankshaft during a freshen up also. Saw nothing. A very low hp engine? Maybe. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

12-09-2014, 09:56 AM	#25
flash Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 89 Likes: 1 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: steel or aluminum driveshaft? can anybody see a reaction time difference with changing to light weight driveline componets ? I would think it would be very small if you could gauge it at all.

12-09-2014, 11:48 AM	#28
MEXJOE Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: nhranumbers.com Posts: 875 Likes: 137 Liked 165 Times in 51 Posts	Re: steel or aluminum driveshaft? What are the wights of the this 3, 9x30 radials? Hoosier M/T GOOD YEAR __________________ Glen DeMenge 1969 Camaro Stock Eliminator

12-09-2014, 11:56 AM	#29
buzzinhalfdozen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bellevue Ohio Posts: 984 Likes: 0 Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts	Re: steel or aluminum driveshaft? Can't comment on any performance increases, I've always bought the lite stuff. On a new build I'd say pay the extra money and go lite, not sure if I'd purchase "extra" lite components trying to improve performance. In my opinion engine upgrades, convereter, gearing would be a better place to spend that money. __________________ Joe Buchanan SS/BX 3117