at what power level do you replace aluminum drive/half shafts with steel ones?
06-06-2011, 09:33 AM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
at what power level do you replace aluminum drive/half shafts with steel ones?
When do most people here get rid of the aluminum drive/halfshafts and go to steel?
Is it at a certain power level or more a certain driving habit level (ex. drag racing on slicks) ?
I was on the phone with denny's driveshaft, ordering a u-joint rebuild kit, and they acted like the aluminum driveshafts are a weak link.
Is it at a certain power level or more a certain driving habit level (ex. drag racing on slicks) ?
I was on the phone with denny's driveshaft, ordering a u-joint rebuild kit, and they acted like the aluminum driveshafts are a weak link.
06-06-2011, 10:01 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
this would depend on a combination of driving habits and power level.
if all you do is drive on the street on street tires you're probably good til well in excess of 400hp at the ground.
if you run a sticky tire and launch like a bat out of hell at ANY power level you're asking for stuff to break. no matter what parts are in there.
if all you do is drive on the street on street tires you're probably good til well in excess of 400hp at the ground.
if you run a sticky tire and launch like a bat out of hell at ANY power level you're asking for stuff to break. no matter what parts are in there.
06-06-2011, 10:05 AM
#3
Race Director
The weak links for a Corvette irs seem to be with the rearend on back. Although I have heard of twisted driveshafts, most breakage seems to occur with the halfshafts, rearend components, and spindles. I have broken all those listed in the past but not a driveshaft. Willie
06-06-2011, 10:30 AM
#5
Race Director
Thread Starter
The weak links for a Corvette irs seem to be with the rearend on back. Although I have heard of twisted driveshafts, most breakage seems to occur with the halfshafts, rearend components, and spindles. I have broken all those listed in the past but not a driveshaft. Willie
I know theres another thread about strengthening the d44, but I dont believe steel halfshafts have been mentioned very much in it.
06-06-2011, 02:08 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
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No doubt about it, our IRS causes a lot of problems with the power we put down when we hook. The nice thing is they're a great all purpose rearend for handling. No doubt, if my car was used for the dragstrip, I'd have a setup like Willie's.
A reasonable alternative are carbon fiber halfshafts so if (& when) they break you don't have near the collateral damage to the fiberglass pan. I've seen some body damage that was extensive from halfshafts flopping around. When I built my motor, new halfshafts went in w/ the D44 before the motor even did.
A reasonable alternative are carbon fiber halfshafts so if (& when) they break you don't have near the collateral damage to the fiberglass pan. I've seen some body damage that was extensive from halfshafts flopping around. When I built my motor, new halfshafts went in w/ the D44 before the motor even did.
06-06-2011, 02:11 PM
#7
Race Director
06-06-2011, 02:15 PM
#8
Race Director
06-06-2011, 02:59 PM
#9
Race Director
Thread Starter
No doubt about it, our IRS causes a lot of problems with the power we put down when we hook. The nice thing is they're a great all purpose rearend for handling. No doubt, if my car was used for the dragstrip, I'd have a setup like Willie's.
A reasonable alternative are carbon fiber halfshafts so if (& when) they break you don't have near the collateral damage to the fiberglass pan. I've seen some body damage that was extensive from halfshafts flopping around. When I built my motor, new halfshafts went in w/ the D44 before the motor even did.
A reasonable alternative are carbon fiber halfshafts so if (& when) they break you don't have near the collateral damage to the fiberglass pan. I've seen some body damage that was extensive from halfshafts flopping around. When I built my motor, new halfshafts went in w/ the D44 before the motor even did.
Steel at least yields (absorbing energy) some instead of just exploding.
All that said, I dont know how strong carbon fiber drive / halfshafts really are.
06-06-2011, 03:09 PM
#10
Drifting
Dizwiz I think Willie missed your question but I can answer it he doesn't use steel half shafts he went to the next level and put a chevy 12 bolt straight axle under his car with a torque arm and panhard bar and other goodies. Now he doesn't have any problem with breakage as his vette got lots of smoke under the hood. It lifts the front wheels a bad ride man
I'm sure he will chime back in. Pipe
I'm sure he will chime back in. Pipe
06-06-2011, 03:51 PM
#12
He anyone ever thought about making a CV shaft for the C4? You can pull the yoke out of the Dana rear and spindle and measure them, and get someone to build a CV type axel for it. I know you will break them, with alot of power also, but the seem to be stronger then the haft shaft. I finishing up on the solid rear now, but I'm planning on doing a 9" IRS with CV style axel.
Randy
Randy
06-06-2011, 04:22 PM
#13
Race Director
He anyone ever thought about making a CV shaft for the C4? You can pull the yoke out of the Dana rear and spindle and measure them, and get someone to build a CV type axel for it. I know you will break them, with alot of power also, but the seem to be stronger then the haft shaft. I finishing up on the solid rear now, but I'm planning on doing a 9" IRS with CV style axel.
Randy
Randy
06-06-2011, 04:23 PM
#14
Race Director
Dizwiz I think Willie missed your question but I can answer it he doesn't use steel half shafts he went to the next level and put a chevy 12 bolt straight axle under his car with a torque arm and panhard bar and other goodies. Now he doesn't have any problem with breakage as his vette got lots of smoke under the hood. It lifts the front wheels a bad ride man I'm sure he will chime back in. Pipe
I'm sure he will chime back in. Pipe How is your 9" project going?
06-06-2011, 07:51 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I put in the Denny Nitrous Steel shafts in after a few stock ones let loose. This one was a supposedly heavy duty one. Lasted about 1 season. Had others break at the u-joint.
06-06-2011, 09:55 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
The pic is NOT of a Denny's shaft. It was from someone that was recomended on the forum a few years ago. Once it broke the guy disapeared.... Go figure 
06-06-2011, 10:03 PM
#19
Race Director
The tabs on this halfshaft broke at both ends and wound up buried in the fiberglass just behind the driver's side seat. I'm running about 400 HP at the rear wheels. Sticky drag radials and 3.33 Dana44.
