Benifit of one piece aluminum driveshaft.

[ssdurango]

I have a 2 piece steel driveshaft in my 89 s10 longbox. If I switched to a one peice aluminum shaft, would I gain a noticable increase in power to the wheels?

Thanks.

[ForcedFirebird]

There's a lot of argument about that, specially in the world of f-bodies. While yes, the aluminum will shave off "dead weight" from the total vehicle weight, but there is argument that the aluminum driveshaft has to be larger in diameter, therefore, creating more rotational mass. In other words, even thought it's lighter, the larger diameter of it takes more effort to get it moving vs a steelie. I don't know how much power you will be making from that S/C, but a local snapped his aluminum driveshaft with a small blower and a V8, street tires.

[ssdurango]

Thanks, I might stay with the steely...

[ssdurango]

maybe a one piece smaller diameter steely

[60dgrzbelow0]

This little video explains (in kind of a cool way) the concept of "The Conservation of Angular Momentum" and clearly shows why John's understanding is exactly correct as to why having a lighter aluminum drive shaft may save you a little in un-sprung weight from your vehicle vs. the heavier steel drive shaft. Yet with a substantially wider outer circle dimension because to be as strong, the aluminum must necessarily be thicker than the denser, smaller one of the steel drive shaft and thus, you must pay a penalty on the increased amount of energy it will take to turn it.

The last part of this short video about the spinning ice skater illustrates this concept perfectly. To spin faster, she simply brings her arms closer, making herself into a "smaller circle" and rapidly speeds up. To slow down and stop, she simply makes herself into a "wider circle" by extending her arms outward . I hope this is interesting and helpful to you!

Here is what these three weird laws of physical motion look like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3UsrfHa4MQ&feature=related

--==Bob==--