Driveshaft wall thickness?
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Driveshaft wall thickness?
Kicking around putting in an aluminum driveshaft if it makes sense. My concern is finding one that is up to snuff. First I'm trying to figure out the strength of the stock driveshaft (as it's been stone reliable), but I don't know the wall thickess. Once I know that I was just going to do some boring calculations to figure out what it takes to make a somewhat equivalent aluminum driveshaft (diameter and wall thickness). Once I know that I can then make some additional calculations to figure out the weight difference, and if that difference justifies the expense.
So, anyone know what size tubing was used in (early) C3 driveshafts?
Thanks,
Mike
So, anyone know what size tubing was used in (early) C3 driveshafts?
Thanks,
Mike
Le Mans Master
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Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C...num+driveshaft
hope this helps
hope this helps
I'm not quite sure of what to make of their site. It mentions a replacement for two piece driveshafts for Corvettes, and lists a weight of 16# for the new driveshaft (my stock setup is about 10 1/2#).
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 133
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From: Edmonton Alberta
I asked this question before - here and on another the NCRS site when I ran into an issue with my stock driveshaft. If I recall correctly the answers I was given, the consensus was that they believed the stock or OEM wall thickness would not have been over .083 DOM.
I had done non-destructive testing on mine to try and come up with a thickness and it consistently showed .185 HOWEVER I never trusted that figure as the stock driveshaft is 2.25 inch in dia. and so the sensor I was using did not have full contact over the outside curvature of the pipe. In the end I chose to go with a 2.5 inch dia. driveshaft made out of .095 steel to provide the extra strength I was looking for.
I hope this helps somewhat.
I had done non-destructive testing on mine to try and come up with a thickness and it consistently showed .185 HOWEVER I never trusted that figure as the stock driveshaft is 2.25 inch in dia. and so the sensor I was using did not have full contact over the outside curvature of the pipe. In the end I chose to go with a 2.5 inch dia. driveshaft made out of .095 steel to provide the extra strength I was looking for.
I hope this helps somewhat.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I asked this question before - here and on another the NCRS site when I ran into an issue with my stock driveshaft. If I recall correctly the answers I was given, the consensus was that they believed the stock or OEM wall thickness would not have been over .083 DOM.
I had done non-destructive testing on mine to try and come up with a thickness and it consistently showed .185 HOWEVER I never trusted that figure as the stock driveshaft is 2.25 inch in dia. and so the sensor I was using did not have full contact over the outside curvature of the pipe. In the end I chose to go with a 2.5 inch dia. driveshaft made out of .095 steel to provide the extra strength I was looking for.
I hope this helps somewhat.
I had done non-destructive testing on mine to try and come up with a thickness and it consistently showed .185 HOWEVER I never trusted that figure as the stock driveshaft is 2.25 inch in dia. and so the sensor I was using did not have full contact over the outside curvature of the pipe. In the end I chose to go with a 2.5 inch dia. driveshaft made out of .095 steel to provide the extra strength I was looking for.
I hope this helps somewhat.
I'm interested in the n-d testing you did. Send me a PM sometime with a few more details.
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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Vette shafts are pretty short anyway and there isn't a lot of tunnel clearance for a big aluminum or carbon/fiber one. I had one made that is 2-3/4" and .134 wall with 1350 joints.
I'm sure the stockers aren't much over .083"...not even sure if they aren't .065" or so.
JIM
I'm sure the stockers aren't much over .083"...not even sure if they aren't .065" or so.
JIM
Team Owner
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Think about it. 29 1/2 inches long. Mine is done with 12 point caps 1330 ujoints and Chromoly tube. 427H did his with 1350's the weight is minimal. The big thing is having drive shaft cages in case it does break. With OD mine has exceeded 9000 rpm
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From: League City Tx
I'm not sure about the stock 2" driveshaft's wall thickness but, you're not gonna get an aluminum shaft in there.. Aluminum drive shafts are usually considerably larger in diameter to match the strength of a much smaller steel shaft.
I ended having a 2.5" diameter, .095" walled, chromoly shaft built with 1330 solid spicers. I have MAYBE 1/4 clearance on the passenger side of the tunnel.... So far its held up to 1.50 60's and lots of em..
I ended having a 2.5" diameter, .095" walled, chromoly shaft built with 1330 solid spicers. I have MAYBE 1/4 clearance on the passenger side of the tunnel.... So far its held up to 1.50 60's and lots of em..
Thread Starter
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Did you not read my first post?
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I'm not sure about the stock 2" driveshaft's wall thickness but, you're not gonna get an aluminum shaft in there.. Aluminum drive shafts are usually considerably larger in diameter to match the strength of a much smaller steel shaft.
I ended having a 2.5" diameter, .095" walled, chromoly shaft built with 1330 solid spicers. I have MAYBE 1/4 clearance on the passenger side of the tunnel.... So far its held up to 1.50 60's and lots of em..
I ended having a 2.5" diameter, .095" walled, chromoly shaft built with 1330 solid spicers. I have MAYBE 1/4 clearance on the passenger side of the tunnel.... So far its held up to 1.50 60's and lots of em..
Again, once I've figured out the torque capability of the stock shaft I can figure out the wall thickness necessary to work with the aluminum shaft OD (that fits the tunnel) to get to a similar strength (but hopefully lighter) part.
Team Owner
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Yes, I bought my 1330 and i don't remember the wall thickness. I was just saying that weight saving would be minimal. I can appreciate the engineering conversion of metal types and wall thickness
Last edited by gkull; Jan 9, 2013 at 09:48 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I'm aware of the small change in weight, but I've reached the point on this car that all the big (weight reduction) stuff has already been done.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Youngstown Ohio
I don't about the wall thickness, but you can fit an aluminum driveshaft in the tunnel. I have one. It is 3" in diameter and does fit if you center it. I got it from VBP several years ago......I don't know if they still offer it, it was not listed in their catalog, but available if you asked. It weighed exactly 8 lbs. less than the stock shaft even with the larger diameter. Since this is rotating mass, the weight savings is like taking double weight from the rest of the car, and does provide a performance gain to the rear wheels. Every little bit helps. I installed it to save weight along with 3½" diameter carbon fiber half shafts (about 3 lbs. each less than stock shafts), and composite rear spring which weighs 35 lbs. less than the stock spring.