Woodfin's SS GT/TB construction series

[Dragsinger]

The Super 10 build is experiencing some serious progress.

*engine in place, wiring and plumbing making good progress
*trans in place, shifter & hardware connected
*driveshaft measured and ordered

I estimate starting and moving under power in about two weeks. Of course, a list of small items still remains yet I think late July is a reasonable test outing date.

More photos soon

[Dragsinger]

my choice for driveshaft http://www.wilesdriveshafts.com/id4.html

3.5" aluminum 54 3/8" length combined with Strange pinion flange and Strange two piece hardened trans yoke that I already have on hand.

[Mark Markow]

that's a long driveshaft for 3.5 dia. I went with 4'' and mine is shorter than yours. at the rpm these things spin in the traps . I would check with the mfg. to be sure it's in the safe zone. m/w has a critical speed chart on there website. don't ask me how many trans cases I broke before we got it right.

[Mark Markow]

larry heres a link. http://www.markwilliams.com/driveshafttech.aspx sounds like a 3.5'' shaft at 54'' is rated to roughly 6700 rpm. I'm guessing you'll turn it more than that. the 4'' will get you another 1000 rpm. and I would suggest the bonded and not the welded aluminum. according to m/w it's a much truer shaft.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Mark Markow

a 3.5'' shaft at 54'' is rated to roughly 6700 rpm. I'm guessing you'll turn it more than that. the 4'' will get you another 1000 rpm. and I would suggest the bonded and not the welded aluminum. according to m/w it's a much truer shaft.

Mark , I appreciate your posting that information. I have to wonder about that stuff, and I am not trying to dispute science or anything like that, but how did we get away with spinning MP (that's Modified Production for you neophytes) cars to 9000+ rpm with stock driveshafts? I know that some failed, but for the most part driveshaft failure was not a problem. Every case I knew when a drive shaft failed was brought on by another factor.


Just wonderin', you know.

[Mark Markow]

Dwight I'm guessing the m/p cars driveshafts were much shorter a few inches makes a big difference in it's speed rating. I never had a shaft fail either , but it went into a harmonic just before the finish line that made the whole truck buzz and then it cleared up .

[Dragsinger]

Dwight, you and I think alike and I was considering the same question.

Anyway, my original order is on the Brown truck and will arrive tomorrow {Thursday}
I plan to install it and give it a whirl [so to speak]

Just for the math exercise Gary Hettler tells me to shift at 8,000 - 8,200. If someone want to estimate the finish line RPM use a 5% converter slip, 32 x 14 M/T bias tire, 6.00 rear gear.

When I do the initial testing it will be at Texas Motorplex 1/8 mile bracket race. That will let me get a feel without the 1/4 finish line buzz.