New IRS half shafts
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
New IRS half shafts
Has anyone used Aluminum or Carbon Fiber half shafts under racing conditions or at least spirited street driving? Do they hold up well?
I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade and was wondering if there is anybody on here with real world experience using these alternative materials. They look nice, but I haven't seen any documentation showing any real benefits and worse, if there are negative side effects.
Before anyone asks, here's a short overview of my car:
I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade and was wondering if there is anybody on here with real world experience using these alternative materials. They look nice, but I haven't seen any documentation showing any real benefits and worse, if there are negative side effects.
Before anyone asks, here's a short overview of my car:
Modified ZZ4 ..... 325 RWHP, 350 RWTQ
Manual 5spd transmission
No slicks, just good performance tires - 60' times at the track are 1.9's
Manual 5spd transmission
No slicks, just good performance tires - 60' times at the track are 1.9's
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Sometime in the mid-70's Chevy went to a larger 3" half shaft,..larger than the 2.5 inchers in previous models. Does you car have the larger or smaller shafts?
Seems that would be enough of an upgrade for your specs. I'd use the cabbage for something else (I usually use it on something stupid though).
My opinion.
Seems that would be enough of an upgrade for your specs. I'd use the cabbage for something else (I usually use it on something stupid though).
My opinion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
My CF halfshaft have certainly had their share of beating and they have done their job with out any worries. Will put them also on my current project, which will have +1500hp vs. the 540hp I have now, after that will see if they are up to the job... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Originally Posted by groovyjay
My CF halfshaft have certainly had their share of beating and they have done their job with out any worries. Will put them also on my current project, which will have +1500hp vs. the 540hp I have now, after that will see if they are up to the job...
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by groovyjay
My CF halfshaft have certainly had their share of beating and they have done their job with out any worries. Will put them also on my current project, which will have +1500hp vs. the 540hp I have now, after that will see if they are up to the job...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Originally Posted by TedH
How does the manufacturer bond that carbon fiber to the ends of the halfshafts? Are the ends iron? Aluminum? Just curious.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Originally Posted by 73jst4fun
Wonder if you ever weighed the carbon shafts vs. the 3" shafts...any weight savings? The 3" shafts with flanges and ujoints weighed 11lbs. each...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
1500HP? them's fightin' woids 
how ya gonna do that?
how ya gonna do that?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
?? what kind of engne and trans will you be using? Has to be something like what big632 has and even he doesn't have 2000 without spraying I think. His is a 640CID block. Turbos, blowers...doesn't matter a whole lot. 2K Hp, that's gonna be a serious undertaking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
?? what kind of engne and trans will you be using? Has to be something like what big632 has and even he doesn't have 2000 without spraying I think. His is a 640CID block. Turbos, blowers...doesn't matter a whole lot. 2K Hp, that's gonna be a serious undertaking.
No more big blocks for me, 481ci small block will do the trick this time... One was dynoed with serious boost not too long ago, it made 2300hp on the dyno...
Who wants to be realistic when you can be optimistic!
Aim high that's what I say!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Thanks for all the reply's and info! I wasn't able to get on the forum yesterday. I have the 3" half shafts already in the car, but I'm always looking for a way to save a few pounds, expecially rotating/unsprung mass. I was thinking of upgrading to the spicer U-joints just for good insurance, and I was thinking that while I'm in there .... maybe new halfshafts.
