Topic: Carbon Fiber Half Shafts
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
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Has anyone had any experences with Vansteel's carbon fiber half shafts? Here is a link to them: http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shop.showItem&subgroup=1918&ID=2462
corvette440hp
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What I don't get is that they can handle up to 1000hp......they mention that they shouldn't be used for drag racing, hmmmm? corvette440hp 2008-11-14 10:04:23
corvette440hp

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I would guess the bond between the carbon tube and the yokes is not strong enough to handle a 6500rpm clutch drop with a 700+ hp engine, 5.88 gears, and 15" wide slicks...just a guess...
For a smooth power apply, with no abrupt "shocks" to the driveline, I'm sure they'd be fine...if ya got an extra $1000 laying around...

For a smooth power apply, with no abrupt "shocks" to the driveline, I'm sure they'd be fine...if ya got an extra $1000 laying around...

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[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]I would guess the bond between the carbon tube and the yokes is not strong enough to handle a 6500rpm clutch drop with a 700+ hp engine, 5.88 gears, and 15" wide slicks...just a guess...
For a smooth power apply, with no abrupt "shocks" to the driveline, I'm sure they'd be fine...if ya got an extra $1000 laying around...
[/QUOTE] Sooo, how about 500 HP, 3,500 RPM, 3.70 gearing and 10.5 BFG TA's??? Thanx Joel for responding
.............$1,000 cost........there is the "BIG" problem.............

For a smooth power apply, with no abrupt "shocks" to the driveline, I'm sure they'd be fine...if ya got an extra $1000 laying around...


corvette440hp
I spoke with Dan Dorsett at Van Steel. With a little arm wrestling I got him to lower the newer style much stronger carbon fiber half shafts. The price I got them for was $800.00. He says that with street radials you can't break them. Christmas is coming early to my house. I need to finish getting the body off to completely redo everything from the bottom up. Fun this winter for me...YES!
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So how much punishment can stock half shafts take? I have heard that they were used on many drag racing set ups and the real concern is the strength of the u joints, not the shafts...
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When I spoke with Dan at Van Steel, he said that the original carbon fiber half shafts were breaking at the welds on the aluminum ends for the u-joints. That is when they fixed the problem by CNC fabricating the better grade aluminum that is now being epoxied to the carbon fiber. To destroy these, you would need 1000+ RWHP and super sticky slicks. The price jumped up with the CNC/aluminum changes.
corvette440hp
[QUOTE=LukesVette]
corvette440hp 2008-11-21 08:16:15
So how much punishment can stock half shafts take? I have heard that they were used on many drag racing set ups and the real concern is the strength of the u joints, not the shafts...
[/QUOTE] The u-joint needs to be Spicer solid 1350.corvette440hp
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
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