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Carbon Fiber DriveShaft?

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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 10:25 AM
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Question Carbon Fiber DriveShaft?

Does anyone out there know about these for the FD, or have one?
Since these cars were already designed to weigh less as it is, does the carbon fiber shaft way less than the stocker? By how much? Is it stronger?
Can someone explain to me the advantages of one to me.
I'd like to upgrade my gearing to 4.3 or 4.7 and would upgrade the driveshaft if it was worth it.
Just looking for some input and opinions.

Thanks,
Glass
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 10:28 AM
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I think the point of the CF driveshaft is weight savings, and the the fact that there is less rotating inertia. Kind of the same advantage as a lightened flywheel.
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 10:31 AM
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I GOT ONE and no I don't know why.

Hey, you can replace the AL U's, or tell peeps you have one, and that's cool.

Later, Jeff
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 10:32 AM
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Originally posted by P'cola FD
I think the point of the CF driveshaft is weight savings, and the the fact that there is less rotating inertia. Kind of the same advantage as a lightened flywheel.
I figured that much. Thanks.
Does anyone know ?
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 10:33 AM
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Originally posted by JeffShoots
I GOT ONE and no I don't know why.

Hey, you can replace the AL U's, or tell peeps you have one, and that's cool.

Later, Jeff
Hmm, so you didn't notice a difference?
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 12:43 PM
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There's no appreciable weight savings as our OEM shaft is quite light. I also have the ACPT CF d/s (www.acpt.com). It is supposed to be more harmonically balanced but given most of us have stiff suspension, low profile tires, dp, mp, catback, I'd doubt you can "feel" the diff. But for safety reasons, it is advantageous...if it snaps, it'll just "broom" the car as opposed to turning the d/s into a metal weed wacker.
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 06:18 PM
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i was under the impression that using the CD driveshaft would ensure that if it ever snaps under heavy load (assume this really only applies to very high HP cars though) that the car won't try to do a pole vault, the CF shaft will shatter into pieces instead and leave your FD on all four feet..
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 08:11 PM
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The difference in weight is in the 2 lbs range, according to Rocky at RX-7.com and not worth the money of $850 plus. He basically talked me out of the sale since I was wanting to get one for the weight savings and the "lower rotational mass" like the flywheel. I got one for my FD on GT3 though

Tim Benton
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 08:21 PM
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it is not worth it, IMO. since the stock driveshaft is only like 32 inches long, a carbon fiber version will not be light enough to even notice the difference. that $850 would be better spent on a KAAZ diff and 4.3 gears or short shifter.

just my .02
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 08:23 PM
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Originally posted by Tim Benton
I got one for my FD on GT3 though
naah...you gotta buy a carbon fiber driveshaft for the Spoon Civic Type R. makes a HUGE difference! (actually the Spoon Civic is an awsome car. 12K redline! )

but this is in GT2 though.
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 08:39 PM
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Originally posted by JoeD


naah...you gotta buy a carbon fiber driveshaft for the Spoon Civic Type R. makes a HUGE difference! (actually the Spoon Civic is an awsome car. 12K redline! )

but this is in GT2 though.
Even better, Mazda 787B by winning the like the wind race on GT3. 900+HP with new turbo. Why can't life be like the video games.
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 08:49 PM
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I got mine used and relatively cheap, this buying stuff for the car has to be an addiction???

But now I can say "I've got a CF drive shaft" and it is a conversation piece, But then so is telling people that I have a Machine Gun business.

Later, Jeff
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 08:51 PM
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2lbs weight savings? I'm so there man.
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Old Mar 4, 2002 | 08:55 PM
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A CF driveshaft for the FD is usless. Demetrios (Reactive Racing) runs 9's in his FD and doesn't use one. I have NEVER heard of anyone snapping one. Our driveshaft is light and small. If you want to replace something and are running a very high powered car, invest in the Kaaz diff, and maybe some chrome axels. Other than that, don't touch your drivetrain.
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Old Mar 5, 2002 | 02:53 AM
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um Ari doesn't use it either ....
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Old Mar 5, 2002 | 09:14 AM
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I noticed noone mentioned anythng about longevity. CF will NOT last as long as OEM under repeated hard driving.

Has anyone here ever snapped there OEM?
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Old Mar 5, 2002 | 09:25 AM
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I talked to Ari about it, too. He basically told me "Use your money elsewhere"

Unless you are hardcore, every lb won't make a big differance, but everyone knows 5lbs here, 2lbs there, 10lbs there, 5lbs here, and it can all add up.
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Old Mar 5, 2002 | 09:33 AM
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I would reccomend a driveshaft loop to anyone with enough HP to snap their shaft. They are cheap, and are actually required at some dragstrips on cars with slicks and/or run faster than 13.0. If the shaft snaps on you and you have no loop.............lets just say you will wish you had one!
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Old Mar 5, 2002 | 11:21 AM
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yeah a loop is much better price and safety value then getting a C/F drive shaft... the rotory doesn't make enough torque to snap the drive shaft untill you get fast..REALLY fast. and in michigan if you run faster then 13.99 you need a drive shaft loop anyways.
Nick
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Old Mar 5, 2002 | 04:35 PM
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I agree with Flybye, the CF driveshaft is something for a hardcore FD modifing nut who has upgraded most everything else on the car, has some more money to spend on the car and can't think of anything else. I'm at the stage where I'm spending money to lighten the car (bought the racing beat front sway bar for $377 since it was 10 freakin pounds lighter than my ST front bar) but I'll still wait on the driveshaft since the wife might end up with the house and the car if I spend that kind of money trying to save 2 lbs and some rotational enertia.

Tim Benton
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