Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft

b.guggenmos · 11-22-2010, 10:52 PM

I am just a bracket racer but this subject has always interested me. I have a 65 Comet with a 351C and a 4 speed with a 5:14 gear and a M/T 28x9 tire. I used a 3 1/2" .065 mild steel shaft for over 20 years with no problems. I accidently damaged by denting it so it was time for a replacement. It is 57" center to center.

I called Mark Williams first and they said that according to there critical speed chart I needed a 4" aluminum or carbon fiber shaft. This is a mid 11 second car.
I then called Inland Empire, PST, and several others and I had no two shops agree and what is required. I looked at several critical speed charts online and Mark Williams seemed the most conservative.

I ended up with a 3" Strange chrome moly but I still like the idea of an aluminum shaft. It seems like a good place to loose some rotational weight.

I really enjoy your site and I am anxious to see the results of this thread. Brian

11-22-2010, 10:52 PM	#9
b.guggenmos Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 68 Likes: 21 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Steel vs Aluminum driveshaft I am just a bracket racer but this subject has always interested me. I have a 65 Comet with a 351C and a 4 speed with a 5:14 gear and a M/T 28x9 tire. I used a 3 1/2" .065 mild steel shaft for over 20 years with no problems. I accidently damaged by denting it so it was time for a replacement. It is 57" center to center. I called Mark Williams first and they said that according to there critical speed chart I needed a 4" aluminum or carbon fiber shaft. This is a mid 11 second car. I then called Inland Empire, PST, and several others and I had no two shops agree and what is required. I looked at several critical speed charts online and Mark Williams seemed the most conservative. I ended up with a 3" Strange chrome moly but I still like the idea of an aluminum shaft. It seems like a good place to loose some rotational weight. I really enjoy your site and I am anxious to see the results of this thread. Brian