Carbon Fiber Driveshaft

[MTGTS]

Bobby from Mayhem Performance ame over and we installed this prototype in my car last night. Took all of 15 min. You'll spend more time jacking your car up and getting it on jackstands than you will actually making the swap. Anybody that has one of Bobby's consoles knows about the quality of the product he makes, this is no different. It's to bad this goes under the car where nobody can see it. All ready for the track this weekend. I'm guessing you guys are gonna want pics...

 

[dave6666]

So the beating you're going to give it hasn't happened yet?

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Please note the complaint-free content. Dave, contemporary mod-rice Viper/Ricer owner, and I approve this message.

 

[MTGTS]

So the beating you're going to give it hasn't happened yet?

Correct, going to Sebring with Viper Days this weekend. Then Rd. Atlanta the first weekend in June.

 

[KNG SNKE]

Watching for an update.

 

[jmasin]

Looks like a quality piece!

 

[MarcRoth]

Correct me if Iam wrong, What gains to be had if any. Cannot be a weight savings as what can a couple less rotating mass is going help, Also a stub-shaft that short cannot see any gains but to the negative wallet feature. Cool factor,, Very but thats it to me.

 

[Martin]

Correct me if Iam wrong, What gains to be had if any. Cannot be a weight savings as what can a couple less rotating mass is going help, Also a stub-shaft that short cannot see any gains but to the negative wallet feature. Cool factor,, Very but thats it to me.

Depending on which direction they went in the development of the shaft, there could either be some weight savings, or they could have kept the weight the same and made the unit stronger than the stock shaft. All in all, neither of those are probably worth the cost of the item in my opinion - but the coolness factor is something to be considered

The big advantage to a CF shaft is that, if it does break, it tends to shatter and 'unravel' into a bunch of fuzz before doing any massive damage to the car. Of course, if you have a drive shaft loop in place (as you should if you're racing) that would keep the damage to a minimum if things break on a normal shaft.

I'll be curious to see how it holds up. From the way the CF strands are laid up, it looks like they might have built it to be stronger in the forward direction than the reverse - which makes sense.

 

[Andrew2KRT10]

I'm curious as to the choice of materials, and the weave of the carbon fiber material prior to fabrication. Carbon is not strong, it is stiff, so can it hold up to the torque unless it is built - laid up in such an overkill pattern as to outweigh the rigid limits. And is it a 90 degree weave or a braid ? Is an I - beam type construction used with something as a filler such as fiberglass used sandwiched between carbon layers ? Any Kevlar used ?

 

[Andrew2KRT10]

Also, is it hollow or is there some lightweight filler core bonded to the carbon ?

 

[JohnnyViper]

all is see is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ looks nice and i'm sure it will burn a heck of a hole in the wallet

 

[MTGTS]

Depending on which direction they went in the development of the shaft, there could either be some weight savings, or they could have kept the weight the same and made the unit stronger than the stock shaft. All in all, neither of those are probably worth the cost of the item in my opinion - but the coolness factor is something to be considered

The big advantage to a CF shaft is that, if it does break, it tends to shatter and 'unravel' into a bunch of fuzz before doing any massive damage to the car. Of course, if you have a drive shaft loop in place (as you should if you're racing) that would keep the damage to a minimum if things break on a normal shaft.

I'll be curious to see how it holds up. From the way the CF strands are laid up, it looks like they might have built it to be stronger in the forward direction than the reverse - which makes sense.

There is a little bit of weight savings, not much. The unit is MUCH stronger than the stock one though. I know he told me it should hold 2,000hp and he's talking to a couple of very high horsepower guys to do some more testing with it to see if they can break it.

You hit the nail on the head with the shatter statement, that is also an advantage of this shaft. I'm not sure how much loops are but they aren't necessary with one of these. So instead of adding weight (loops) you can get this and have a much stronger unit @ the same time.

I see some more technical questions that I'm not able to answer. If you guys really wanna know the answers shoot me a PM and I will give you Bobby's # and I know he'll be able to answer any of them. There's also a thread over on the alley on it which he is participating in.

 

[JohnnyViper]

i see absolutely no point to have them on my viper but boy do I want them lol

 

[MTGTS]

all is see is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ looks nice and i'm sure it will burn a heck of a hole in the wallet

When he is satisfied with the unit and after it's gone through the testing they will be $750.

 

[JohnnyViper]

When he is satisfied with the unit and after it's gone through the testing they will be $750.

each I'm assuming, thats only a pinhole in the wallet really thats not bad

 

[MTGTS]

each I'm assuming, thats only a pinhole in the wallet really thats not bad

You only need one unless you're planning on hanging a 2nd on the wall somewhere.

 

[JohnnyViper]

You only need one unless you're planning on hanging a 2nd on the wall somewhere.

silly me i had a blond moment...quick get me some coffee so i wake up!!!

 

[Tiago]

wondering what kind of engineering went into this part? it looks real good but as previously said, CF in this application is only strong if the weave/pattern is layed out in a particular manner. Hopefully some bench testing was performed?

 

[MTGTS]

Ok, here's what I got from Bobby on the weave. It's unidirectional. One of the angles is 90 however, multiple are used. The shaft is "tune-able" by adjusting these angles. The filler core is removed.

 

[Viper Grenade]

That looks good. Keep us posted on how you like it and if it's worth buying. A few weeks ago I ordered the console. I'll keep everyone posted once I get it.

 

[MTGTS]

That looks good. Keep us posted on how you like it and if it's worth buying. A few weeks ago I ordered the console. I'll keep everyone posted once I get it.

You'll love the console, he can't keep them in stock they sell so fast. I have one of the original prototypes in my car still. He didn't think it was nice enough to sell due to one small imperfection you need a microscope to see, lol.

 

[treesnake]

I'll be anxious to see how you like it.
I have one too.
I've just been a little..."unsure" about using it....

If nothing else, the car is on a lift and the CF driveshaft will be in open view for everyone to see....

 

[Simms]

I've been running a CF driveshaft for about 2 years. No issues so far.

 

[MTGTS]

Got tuned/dyno'd today. Made 475hp/501tq.

 

[MTGTS]

Shaft held up great this weekend. I got 7 sessions in (lost one due to rain). I'll put some in car vids up later

 

[CEJ]

Glad to hear the drive shaft worked well. Did you notice any difference in how your Viper performed with the CF drive shaft vs. OEM? Thanks.

 

[MTGTS]

Nothing crazy or nothing you might even feel when accelerating. The shifting though I felt was much smoother. This shaft has to absorb some of the shock which is nice out on the track since it will keep from upsetting the car. Especially during downshifts.