Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft

[7423]

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]

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

[Jeff Lee]

Remember Robert Turner's F/SA Duster 360? He ran a junkyard RAMBLER driveshaft in it for record runs! Seems like it was only 2" OD. I can't understand why it didn't twist in half. I can't remember what ET he found but it was worth something.

Tom, you'll be OK. I have found myself agreeing with you before. Well at least once...

[Jeff Kitchen]

Setting aside any performance gain, I think aluminum drive shafts increase the life of the ring and pinion, axles, etc., by absorbing some of the shock load on launch. Any experiences to that effect? BTW - I even heard Warren Johnson make a statement to that effect, for whatever that's worth. I'm just a hack, but I thought I would bring up the subject. Thanks.

[FED 387]

maybe no performance advantage but ya are taking WEIGHT outa the car--Comp 387

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by FED 387

maybe no performance advantage but ya are taking WEIGHT outa the car--Comp 387

My car is 65lbs heavy for H. Maybe more if I get some HP off. LOL

[Jim Caughlin]

In case anyone is wondering about weights, my 3" steel driveshaft weighs 13#, the duplicate 3" alum with the same size yoke and ujoints weighs 10#. I didn't do back to back runs so don't have any data on performance differences.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

[FED 387]

OK guys not sure what if any performance advantage if there is one but the BIG 3 have been installing aluminum driveshafts in rear wheel drive vehicles from Camaros to Lincolns to full size pick ups/vans etc for about 20 years---there must be a reason they are doing it--anybody wanna guess why a multi billion dollar company would do it?? It aint the color of silver vs. black or rust so why do ya think they are doing it????? comp 387

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by FED 387

OK guys not sure what if any performance advantage if there is one but the BIG 3 have been installing aluminum driveshafts in rear wheel drive vehicles from Camaros to Lincolns to full size pick ups/vans etc for about 20 years---there must be a reason they are doing it--anybody wanna guess why a multi billion dollar company would do it?? It aint the color of silver vs. black or rust so why do ya think they are doing it????? comp 387

harmonic vibration

[KingReptile]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kitchen

Setting aside any performance gain, I think aluminum drive shafts increase the life of the ring and pinion, axles, etc., by absorbing some of the shock load on launch. Any experiences to that effect? BTW - I even heard Warren Johnson make a statement to that effect, for whatever that's worth. I'm just a hack, but I thought I would bring up the subject. Thanks.

Its Safer too what would you rather lose a big chunk of steel or alumium??? Arent steel driveshafts illegal in stock in cars that didnt have them from the factory in NHRA still?!?!?