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Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question #525473 11/14/09 12:41 AM 11/14/09 12:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,570 San Francisco Ca SCATPK OP master
SCATPK OP master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,570 San Francisco Ca	I am going to order a new driveshaft Monday from Dynotech and wondering is there any advantage in going with an aluminum one over a steel replacement?

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: SCATPK] #525474 11/14/09 12:47 AM 11/14/09 12:47 AM
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,101 Yes S sixpakdodge master
sixpakdodge master S Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,101 Yes	Less rotating mass in the drive train.

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: SCATPK] #525475 11/14/09 11:08 AM 11/14/09 11:08 AM
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,206 New York polyspheric master
polyspheric master Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,206 New York	It's an improvement, but it's worth very little. Don't expect to see it on your timeslip. Why: 1. Small mean radius of gyration = low moment of inertia (compared to a clutch disc, converter or ring gear) 2. Low RPM through almost all the race (compared to anything in front of the transmission) Boffin Emeritus

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: SCATPK] #525476 11/14/09 11:12 AM 11/14/09 11:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,394 Q Quicktree I Win
Quicktree I Win Q Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,394	I have their aluminum shaft, saves a few pounds of spinning mass. I would buy another one. great product and custmer service

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: SCATPK] #525477 11/14/09 12:47 PM 11/14/09 12:47 PM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,202 Bend,OR USA C Cab_Burge I Win
Cab_Burge I Win C Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,202 Bend,OR USA	Quote: I am going to order a new driveshaft Monday from Dynotech and wondering is there any advantage in going with an aluminum one over a steel replacement? It depends on what your doing with the car, if you want it to be as fast as posible I have seen many NHRA class cars pick up MPH and reduce ET by using a lighter driveshaft than a heavier one on back to back test A 10 lb. difference in weight loss makes more gain than a 5 lb loss (reduction) does Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: Quicktree] #525478 11/14/09 12:50 PM 11/14/09 12:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,570 San Francisco Ca SCATPK OP master
SCATPK OP master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,570 San Francisco Ca	Sounds like I should stick with a steel replacment one. I was told that the diameter will need to increase by .050 going with aluminum over the stock piece. Any other suggestions as I have the measurments and will be placing a call first thing Monday morning.

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: SCATPK] #525479 11/14/09 03:18 PM 11/14/09 03:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia J jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds.. J Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia	I would also assum an alum driveshaft would do less damage then a steel one upon a driveshaft failure, with or without a loop, and CF doing the least damage. Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: jcc] #525480 11/14/09 04:13 PM 11/14/09 04:13 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A	I went with a mark williams aluminum driveshaft with 1350 yokes on both ends and it was a smart choice. picked up a little, MW has great customer service and i'd buy another one in a heartbeat. i like the light weight over the steel shaft.

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: SCATPK] #525481 11/14/09 04:26 PM 11/14/09 04:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,468 So Cal autoxcuda Too Many Posts
autoxcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,468 So Cal	Does a lighter driveshaft balance better and give off less harmonics at cruising. Like it could be quieter. I see aluminum used is OE cars and I doubt it's just for weight. I see short cars like new mustangs with split double driveshafts. I assume thats for noise and vibration??

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: autoxcuda] #525482 11/14/09 05:09 PM 11/14/09 05:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia J jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds.. J Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia	Quote: Does a lighter driveshaft balance better and give off less harmonics at cruising. Like it could be quieter. Since alum usually requires a larger(next) diameter, it likely would be stiffer and therefore less harmonics, etc or they would be a higher freq. One of my cars has a MW bonded alum/1350, which I like, I asked them years ago about lightweight foam filling an alum bonded driveshaft, they just gave a funny look. Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: jcc] #525483 11/14/09 06:43 PM 11/14/09 06:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,570 San Francisco Ca SCATPK OP master
SCATPK OP master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,570 San Francisco Ca	Sounds like the aluminum unit may be just a tick lighter but also opens up potential clearance issues with exhaust. Any other pro or cons with one or the other. I figure I am going to spend the money and want to make a smart choice.

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question DELETED [Re: jcc] #525484 11/14/09 06:57 PM 11/14/09 06:57 PM
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,206 New York polyspheric master
polyspheric master Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,206 New York	Post deleted by polyspheric Boffin Emeritus

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: polyspheric] #525485 11/14/09 08:15 PM 11/14/09 08:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,394 Q Quicktree I Win
Quicktree I Win Q Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,394	Quote: Since alum usually requires a larger(next) diameter, it likely would be stiffer No, aluminum is far less stiff than steel and needs the diameter to even be comparable; more wall thickness makes up the remaining difference. my 3.5" aluminum shaft is rated to over 1000hp

Re: Aluminum vs Steel Replacement Driveshaft Question [Re: Quicktree] #525486 11/14/09 08:27 PM 11/14/09 08:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 739 Florida 4 408Dust super stock
408Dust super stock 4 Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 739 Florida	Critical speed is the deciding factor in drive shaft material selection. Aluminum increases your critical speed rating, there is no real performance advantage to it other then raising the critical speed rating.Call Mark Williams, PST etc and give them your drive shaft length and maximum RPM at the stripe and see what they say.

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