are half shafts enough?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
In 76 (I believe) Chevy went from 2.5" to 3.0" diameter shafts. These later shafts are said to be stronger. Spicer zerkless U-joints would be a good idea.
It'd probably all hold up with dot slicks especially if coupled with an automatic.
But there's a reason you don't see a lot of IRS's at the drags,..and when they let go, it can be ugly.
It'd probably all hold up with dot slicks especially if coupled with an automatic.
But there's a reason you don't see a lot of IRS's at the drags,..and when they let go, it can be ugly.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Depends on HP. Run solid joints too. I assume you'll be at the strip as well so run a stiff rear spring to help stop the rear from sqauting as much. People swear by Spicers but I haven't been happy with their quality lately. The plastic seals break on every u-joint and their not even mfg in the US anymore. I guess it's just brand recoginition. I like Neapco joints myself.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Depends on HP. Run solid joints too. I assume you'll be at the strip as well so run a stiff rear spring to help stop the rear from sqauting as much. People swear by Spicers but I haven't been happy with their quality lately. The plastic seals break on every u-joint and their not even mfg in the US anymore. I guess it's just brand recoginition. I like Neapco joints myself.
Van, is there a national chain parts retailer that sells Neapco?
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
I don't know. Most chains sell Brute Force U-Joints which are made by Neapco. I use their Performance Dynamic joints. The brute force joints are good but not many people are fond of the red seals. Most would prefer black. We have all of our joints cryoed before we even get them.
Dan
Dan
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
unless your running very high HP, the shafts should be ok, aggree with other people about the U-Joints, the stock ones are hollow I believe and can get mangled. i would just try to run, if you break a shaft then you know you need heavier duty ones ^_^
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
That's a problem though. If he breaks a shaft he'll have to deal with a destroyed undercarriage. The broken shaft acting like a propeller tearing up the battery box or passenger box and or fender well.
I think I would avoid all of that and just beef it up with nice joints.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I run the 1973 and later half shafts on my 72 LT-1 (12.28@117MPH on slicks.) Make sure the suspension is raised enough that trailing arms won't bottom on stops on a hard launch of the Vette. Your shafts will likely fail if the trailing arm hits hard against the bumpstop on a launch, NOTHING will live if the bump stops are banged into on a hard launch! Use a stiff rear shock, and don't put too heavy of a flywheel in your Vette. WARNING! I also have a very well prepped differential with a 4340 steel drivers side cap and 1/2 bolts to keep my carrier from exiting the housing when I abuse my Vette (on a VERY infrequent basis!)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
id gueestimate 450 at the wheel and im thinking nitrous if i dont sell it. so ive got the spicers and wanted to put a sticky tire on it. i am capable of fabbing my own hoops for the shafts and that lead me to my question if the upgradded shafts are enough. maybe i should just go back to my vegas
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
id gueestimate 450 at the wheel and im thinking nitrous if i dont sell it. so ive got the spicers and wanted to put a sticky tire on it. i am capable of fabbing my own hoops for the shafts and that lead me to my question if the upgradded shafts are enough. maybe i should just go back to my vegas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 2
From: Ft.Worth Texas
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
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From: Clearwater FL