Driveshaft limit
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,847
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
A driveshaft is just a rotating torsion tube. It doesn't really care about horsepower. Torque is what turns it into a spiral. If no one has actual test data on those shafts, it can be calculated by knowing the dimensions of it.
However, I suspect there are only about three members on this forum who would actually do those calculations.
However, I suspect there are only about three members on this forum who would actually do those calculations.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,127
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
HP doesn't break it, the instantaneous torque breaks it. Hook up the tires just right and anything can happen.
I would be worried about half shafts and spindles, U-joints, and especially the D36 before I would worry about the driveshaft itself. Maybe with a silly gear ratio on launch like 9:1 or 1000 ft-lbs of torque.
I would be worried about half shafts and spindles, U-joints, and especially the D36 before I would worry about the driveshaft itself. Maybe with a silly gear ratio on launch like 9:1 or 1000 ft-lbs of torque.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 61
Likes: 13
From: Palm Beach County, FL
Former drag racer here. Three thoughts:
1. Think of the weakest link like Vader said. My G body broke three transmissions and two rear ends (pinion on one, spider gears on other). The steel driveshaft was always fine, never an issue.
2. If you are on radials or even drag radials on the street you’ll probably never have enough traction.
3. It’s shortness helps, it is such a small distance from the tail shaft to the pumpkin - it is therefore stronger.
1. Think of the weakest link like Vader said. My G body broke three transmissions and two rear ends (pinion on one, spider gears on other). The steel driveshaft was always fine, never an issue.
2. If you are on radials or even drag radials on the street you’ll probably never have enough traction.
3. It’s shortness helps, it is such a small distance from the tail shaft to the pumpkin - it is therefore stronger.
