Are these driveshafts carbon??

 

Nope, steel.

 

Why not just buy a carbon one if you are racing?

 

We've been looking into them. It seems to be the consensus that stock ones hold up for quite a while and you just have to check the bushing in the tranny after about 6 races or so. I would much rather have a carbon DS for the performance gain it may give(every little bit adds up) but I keep hearing from guys that have tried all kinds of aftermarket pieces to stay with a Mazda part. I still find it hard to believe that Mazda is the only company that can build one that works. I have not heard back from ACPT about a shaft and I also emailed Dynotech in Michigan about balancing. I guess they are the only co. in the country that can spin and balance a DS to 8000 rpm. And we're spinning them almost 50% faster than that!
I'll post what we end up with when the time comes, and if it works out for us. We have to rebuild the car first!

 

ha, i make driveshafts for ford... our balancers go to 3200 rpm

What about trying the RX-8's OEM Carbon driveshaft? won't fit?

 

Smart idea, but will they work?? They can rev to 10,000easly!!
So.... im sure they would be good if you can modify the way it bolts up somehow?

 

I've never seen one so I don't know how long they are compared to the FC unit. How to shorten it(if needed), who knows? I think I have a driveshaft stretcher somewhere in the shop, made it myself from an old board stretcher I had when I worked in construction back in college!

 

Hey John,
Sorry to hear about your car.If you are coming up to the run-offs, I think I have one of the race bearings , if you want it. If I remember correctly to make the mod a first gen case would have the tail shaft built up (welded) and then the inside was machined out. I only lost one rear bearing (bushing in stock form) and that was at MIS. As a matter of fact I believe you were there! Man time flies. Anyway, good luck if you need something e-mail me.