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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: ahy]
#1466282
07/11/13 01:06 AM
07/11/13 01:06 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
72Swinger
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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I run a 3.5" AL shaft. My thinking was stability at high shaft speed. The jury is still out on that. The OEM's are using them behind Diesel engines and everything else too.
Last edited by 72Swinger; 07/11/13 01:08 AM.
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: AndyF]
#1466284
07/11/13 02:10 AM
07/11/13 02:10 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,146
Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,146
Mesa, Arizona
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Quote:
We put an aluminum driveshaft in Tim's Valiant last time it was upgraded. Pretty much needed the aluminum in order to keep the weight reasonable. At 160 mph the driveshaft speed is starting to get high enough that we needed the larger shaft diameter. A large diameter shaft gets heavy if it is steel.
Bonneville car?
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: AndyF]
#1466285
07/11/13 02:29 AM
07/11/13 02:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
We put an aluminum driveshaft in Tim's Valiant last time it was upgraded. Pretty much needed the aluminum in order to keep the weight reasonable. At 160 mph the driveshaft speed is starting to get high enough that we needed the larger shaft diameter. A large diameter shaft gets heavy if it is steel.
What was the diameter and wall thickness? What U-joints did you use?
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: ahy]
#1466286
07/11/13 04:17 AM
07/11/13 04:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
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Quote:
Opinion... I thing the biggest benefit of aluminum is to protect a fragile rear with drag starts. Not a factor with RR. Unless there is a major weight savings I'd go steel for strength and fatigue resistance.
I beg to differ on the first part. It simply takes less power to rotate a lighter weight part than a heavyweight part.
Since a dragrace is one long acceleration and increase in RPM of the driveshaft, there are benefits.
I also think it would benefit a roadracer since car and driveshaft speeds are constantly changing during the race.
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: BigBlockMopar]
#1466287
07/11/13 11:46 AM
07/11/13 11:46 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442
NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442
NW Chicago suburban area
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Lighter weight = faster acceleration, quicker deceleration, even overall better g-force in the corners... simply, physics (less weight is always better, as long as the strength for critical components is not sacrificed (i.e safety).
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: BigBlockMopar]
#1466289
07/11/13 12:59 PM
07/11/13 12:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
MuuMuu101
I got lucky at Woodward!
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I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
Quote:
Opinion... I thing the biggest benefit of aluminum is to protect a fragile rear with drag starts. Not a factor with RR. Unless there is a major weight savings I'd go steel for strength and fatigue resistance.
I beg to differ on the first part. It simply takes less power to rotate a lighter weight part than a heavyweight part.
Since a dragrace is one long acceleration and increase in RPM of the driveshaft, there are benefits.
I also think it would benefit a roadracer since car and driveshaft speeds are constantly changing during the race.
 It's all rotating mass and moments of inertia. The larger MOI you have, the more the shaft is going to want to resist rotating. The lighter mass and the closer it is to the center of rotation, the better.
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: dart4forte]
#1466290
07/11/13 02:06 PM
07/11/13 02:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,037
Oregon
AndyF
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,037
Oregon
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Quote:
Quote:
We put an aluminum driveshaft in Tim's Valiant last time it was upgraded. Pretty much needed the aluminum in order to keep the weight reasonable. At 160 mph the driveshaft speed is starting to get high enough that we needed the larger shaft diameter. A large diameter shaft gets heavy if it is steel.
Bonneville car?
Road race car. 1968 Valiant. Couple of articles in Mopar Muscle show the build.
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: RylisPro]
#1466291
07/11/13 02:43 PM
07/11/13 02:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,432
NorCal
RylisPro
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,432
NorCal
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Thanks for all the advice, I think I will go aluminum My biggest concern would be denting the aluminum driveshaft if and when I go off track, hopefully my exhaust system will help shield it from any damage. Which aluminum driveshaft vendor did you guys buy from or recommend? thanks 
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: RylisPro]
#1466292
07/11/13 04:48 PM
07/11/13 04:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
72Swinger
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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Last edited by 72Swinger; 07/11/13 06:38 PM.
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: RylisPro]
#1466293
07/11/13 05:29 PM
07/11/13 05:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
Thanks for all the advice, I think I will go aluminum
My biggest concern would be denting the aluminum driveshaft if and when I go off track, hopefully my exhaust system will help shield it from any damage.
Steel ones dent too. I wouldn't worry about it.
Quote:
Which aluminum driveshaft vendor did you guys buy from or recommend?
thanks
..
They are not brain surgery. Most stock cars have them now. Just find a local driveshaft shop that the local hot rods and racer guys all go to a respect.
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: RylisPro]
#1466294
07/11/13 08:09 PM
07/11/13 08:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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I had this one made here in town at the local "driveline" shop. I remember it was not much more $$ than steel so I said WTF make it out of aluminum last time I needed a drive shaft. The only thing I wanted to point in my case the diameter is bigger than my stock steel shaft. It fit but is real close to my mufflers but does not hit them. It has held up in my 500hp car.   I weighed it, it was much lighter, don't remember the numbers. 
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Re: Aluminum Driveshaft?
[Re: RylisPro]
#1466299
07/12/13 11:25 PM
07/12/13 11:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 752
AZ - The "dry heat" state
71autoxr
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 752
AZ - The "dry heat" state
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I guess I'm a little late to the party. I have a 71 Challenger small block and when it came time for a drive-shaft I opted for aluminum. Had mine built by Denny's Drive shaft they were running a special and the aluminum was not much more than steel. I autocrossed the car for years, and have done a reasonable amount of road racing. Took the car off track in the dirt at Willow Springs, no damage to the drive shaft. You can probably have one built locally and save the shipping.
68 AMX mopars red headed stepchild
69 Dart GT Convertible 340 4 speed
71 Challenger - looks like the avatar!
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