Carbon Driveshaft?

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  • Brian 89 325i
    E30 Fanatic
    • Oct 2003
    • 1450

    #1

    Carbon Driveshaft?

    I was thinking about using a carbon 1 piece driveshaft. I was quoted about 1500 for one custom made using the original steel ends. Is that good, bad, normal? Anyone know who of some companies that make them?

    Brian
  • BS87
    E30 Mastermind
    • Oct 2003
    • 1606

    #2
    Seems like a waste of money to me, the stock driveshaft isn't all that heavy anyway.

    Comment

    • Brian 89 325i
      E30 Fanatic
      • Oct 2003
      • 1450

      #3
      not terribly heavy but weight is weight, and a one piece unit seems like a much better idea, stronger al least.

      Brian

      Comment

      • BimmerToad
        E30 Mastermind
        • Sep 2004
        • 1537

        #4
        Someone has been playing Gran Turismo . . . . ;)
        San Diego BMW repair -> Jake @ www.littlecarshop.com Great guy :up:

        Comment

        • jon volk
          R3V OG
          • Dec 2004
          • 524

          #5
          I think an aluminum option would be more practical.
          '92 MTech cabrio: Tesla P85 powered

          IG: telsa_bimmer

          '95 Alpine M3 5.3 LS, Precision 7675, TH400/Gear Vendors OD
          10.4@136 pump gas at 3530lbs. (SOLD)

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          • BS87
            E30 Mastermind
            • Oct 2003
            • 1606

            #6
            If it's one piece, how do you supposed to put a CSB on it?

            Comment

            • golde30
              R3V OG
              • Nov 2003
              • 11464

              #7
              Originally posted by BS87
              If it's one piece, how do you supposed to put a CSB on it?
              it would defeat the purpose of a 1pc if you tried to modify the 1pc shaft for a CSB wouldnt it? 1pc driveshaft sounds like a bad idea to me.
              IG: @Baye30

              FRONT VALENCE IS ZENDER!!! STOP FILLING MY PM BOX PPL!!!

              Comment

              • Brian 89 325i
                E30 Fanatic
                • Oct 2003
                • 1450

                #8
                I dont see why? Its less prone to failing. And there is no extra parts to repace.

                Brian

                Comment

                • golde30
                  R3V OG
                  • Nov 2003
                  • 11464

                  #9
                  maybe for track use a 1pc is good, but for street use with all the bumps and uneven surfaces, i say the regular OEM heavy steel pieces with a swivelling joint and bearing is your best bet for daily driving. just my $0.02
                  IG: @Baye30

                  FRONT VALENCE IS ZENDER!!! STOP FILLING MY PM BOX PPL!!!

                  Comment

                  • Brian 89 325i
                    E30 Fanatic
                    • Oct 2003
                    • 1450

                    #10
                    Well the people that i talked to said they make them for all applications, fleet usage, trash trucks, race, anything.

                    Brian

                    Comment

                    • golde30
                      R3V OG
                      • Nov 2003
                      • 11464

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Brian 89 325i
                      Well the people that i talked to said they make them for all applications, fleet usage, trash trucks, race, anything.

                      Brian
                      theres also companys that make 3foot tall CF wings for street use....but u dont see me puttin that on my car...
                      IG: @Baye30

                      FRONT VALENCE IS ZENDER!!! STOP FILLING MY PM BOX PPL!!!

                      Comment

                      • Brian 89 325i
                        E30 Fanatic
                        • Oct 2003
                        • 1450

                        #12
                        I think if they use them on full size trash trucks that only drive on the street, in super heavy duty stop and go traffic, im pretty sure they'll do fine for a street car.

                        Brian

                        Comment

                        • nickmp0wer
                          Banned
                          • Jul 2004
                          • 1427

                          #13
                          its not worth the money. when i was replacing my guibo i expected the driveshaft to be really heavy but when i unbolted it i relized i could lift it wiht my pinkey

                          Comment

                          • Tangent
                            E30 Addict
                            • Mar 2004
                            • 476

                            #14
                            I just removed my driveshaft earlier today. As a comparison it's noticably heavier than the one-piece steel driveshaft that was in my Camaro. For street cars I'm pretty sure that the only benefit to a two-piece driveshaft is that it's less prone to vibration than a one-piece. Also considering that the one-piece in that Camaro is still as good as new at 245,000 miles vs. my E30's destroying its u-joints at ~150,000 durability isn't an issue either.

                            I also would have killed for the E30's to be as easy to remove. Camaro driveshaft removal: Back car onto ramps. Remove 4 bolts holding u-joint to diff input. Pry u-joint out of mount with any handy screwdriver. Slide driveshaft forward, let it drop, pull it out of transmission. Done. Literally a 3 minute job from the time you open the garage door. Oh well, I suppose that's just the price to pay to drive a more refined car...

                            Making the driveshaft lighter makes a bigger difference in acceleration than removing the same amount of weight anywhere else because it's part of the rotating mass. That being said, unless you're doing serious competitive racing it wouldn't be worth the trouble and expense.

                            Comment

                            • nefarious7907
                              E30 Enthusiast
                              • Jan 2005
                              • 1170

                              #15
                              an aluminum driveshaft would be more than enough and then you wont see a notice able difference in power or performance. A friend of mine swapped his steel freaking 20 pound driveshaft in his mustang with a aluminum one that weighted around 11-12 pounds no real noticable difference though he said that it would shave .1 off his 1/4and he is make over 310 hp to the rear wheels.So I do not think that most E30 would gain anything by lightening the driveshaft rotational mass can be take off rear rotors with drilled ones and look into lighterweight wheels and tires before you really look at drivetrain lightening.


                              http://www.cardomain.com/ride/657387

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