Driveshafts....

[JLHARVEY1]

As far as driveshafts go, what are my best options? Several companies offer them and I'm not sure who's to go with. I'd like to have a substantially lighter driveshaft (less recpricating mass). Also, are there any aftermarket flywheels available?

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by JLHARVEY1
As far as driveshafts go, what are my best options? Several companies offer them and I'm not sure who's to go with. I'd like to have a substantially lighter driveshaft (less recpricating mass). Also, are there any aftermarket flywheels available?

The main issue on this board with drive shafts was not it's weight, but a problem with vibration after some OEM limiters are removed by the performance chip. If you feel this vibration, you can purchase the CV/PI shaft for about 250 bucks (not sure on price). The part number is in the FAQ and you can order from FordParts.com

Another thing to consider as you add power is drive shaft strength, and I would recommend the DynaTech drive shaft from Reinhart. It's pricey, but well worth that. It comes with matched flange and yoke, and beefy DANA u-joints, a complete and balanced assembly. If you going for power, this would be the drive shaft to have, and it will be dropped shipped to your home.

Read up on the DynaTech drive shaft here...

http://www.reinhartautomotive.com/products.ivnu

I wouldn't expect to see any rotational mass benefits from changing the shaft, all of them are aluminum and weigh about the same. Haven't heard anything about a flywheel here, but, you're in the right neighborhood.

The Stallion Torque Converter is quite an upgrade, not only does it address the rotational mass issue (9", weighs half of the 11" OEM, 2800 stall) it recovers a LOT of power typically lost in the drive line. This mod kicks butt, but it's not cheap. Call Reinhart for the price, make sure you tell him you're on the MM.net. He's an authorized vendor here. This will also be drop shipped to your home.

Read up on the Stallion here...

http://www.converter.com/stallion.htm

Hope this helps...

[vaderv]

This btw is my biggest complaint on this car. For a 35k sticker there should be no limiter and a sufficent driveshaft at the very least. The limiter issue is what really killed this car.

[BlackHole]

Originally posted by vaderv
This btw is my biggest complaint on this car. For a 35k sticker there should be no limiter and a sufficent driveshaft at the very least. The limiter issue is what really killed this car.

then Ford would had to add a $2000 Gas guzzler tax so take your pick $35 or $37 grand. I took the Govt. to be removed at a future date. and save $2000 for future mods.

[JLHARVEY1]

I do plan to remove the limiter but I doubt that I'll ever need to go above 117 on the street (heh heh). Anything above 117 is only for bragging rights (IMHO). But it's something I'd like to brag about ;-) Not to say I haven't done it, but I'd never claim that it was the smartest most rational thing I've done.

Only one time was it nessecary.... I was being harrassed by a road rage crazed maniac on my way from SLC to Albuquerque NM out in the middle of nowhere.... No towns or any other life for as far as the eye could see.... I hit 145 mph and stayed there for about 5 minutes, never to see that lunitic again. had I been somewhere near civilization I probably wouldn't have had to do that. I know it's off the topic....

Well, thanks for the insight on the driveshaft info Sarge. Much appreciated. Torque Converter is of huge interest to me... It seems to me that the factory stall speed is around 2200 and that seems way too low to me since it doesn't start making most of it's power until 3000 rpm (with the peak at 4100). The Stallion sounds like a good converter. Anybody have any ideas what those run? The installion charges are my biggest concern 'cause labor is expensive and I would think that a torque converter swap is quite an intense project; or is it? (I'm an aircraft mechanic not an automotive mechanic).

By the way Sarge, your vehicle specs beneath your signiture says you have a Stallion 2800... Are you happy with that stall speed? I think that's what I'd go with unless the advice of others suggest otherwise. It just seems to me that if you go too high you lose streetability? Would anything above 2800 sacrifice it's streetability? Just my thoughts.

Thanks a bunch for the help,

[tetsu]

Originally posted by SergntMac
The main issue on this board with drive shafts was not it's weight, but a problem with vibration after some OEM limiters are removed by the performance chip. If you feel this vibration, you can purchase the CV/PI shaft for about 250 bucks (not sure on price). The part number is in the FAQ and you can order from FordParts.com



Hi Sarge,

The weight directly effects the vibration problem. Lighter shaft = higher rpm to achieve resonance.

Johnny

[CRUZTAKER]

I HAD to go with the cv/pi shaft. With my discount=$211.00 out the door.

The $525.00 or so for better is just out of my league at the moment.

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by tetsu
Hi Sarge, The weight directly effects the vibration problem. Lighter shaft = higher rpm to achieve resonance. Johnny

Thanks, Johnny, I'm not sure what they weigh. I had to carry the OEM under one arm and the DynaTech under the other, and I can't remember much of a difference between them, what ever weight difference there is, it seems nominal to me. The good thing, is that the DynaTech is completely balanced as a kit, no second guessing the balance of yoke and flange. Can't say that about he CV/PI shaft, and you may not correct the vibration issue without balancing the assembly.

[studio460]

Cruz:

What did you pay for the driveshaft install?

[Fourth Horseman]

Originally posted by JLHARVEY1
Only one time was it nessecary.... I was being harrassed by a road rage crazed maniac on my way from SLC to Albuquerque NM out in the middle of nowhere....

Ah... Utah drivers. What is it with everybody driving with a huge chip on their shoulders in this state, anyway? I moved here from L.A. and thought I'd seen it all in terms of bad driving. Boy was I in for an education.

You just about NEED a 4200 pound, 300+ horsepower car to survive on the interstate around here. :D

[darebren]

when i was driving on the highway, with my wife following me in the MM (okay, never happen again), I noticed the soft plastic air dam under the front bumber was flapping very badly at high speeds. I think this vibration is probably alot of what is transfering through the floor boards in vibration. I took it off, can't feel a thing anymore.

[JLHARVEY1]

Utah drivers make me wanna install the push bars/brush guard that Georgia State Patrol uses on thier newer Crown Vics :mad2:


I know, it's off the topic


See Georgia State Patrol's pushbars here (http://members.fortunecity.com/statepdcars/gsp.htm)

[RF Overlord]

JL:

Don't even mention pushie bars as a joke; SHERIFF or Crownvic01 will have a screen shot of this post up on BON in an hour, accusing US of being impersonators, too... :rolleyes:

:lol:

[jgc61sr2002]

JLH - Enjoyed the photos. Thanks.:up: