Transmitting power into the earth is an essential job of every race vehicle and the driveshaft is the most crucial link to be able to handle huge quantities of torque. A simple search on the web on the subject of "driveshaft broke" will show a variety of videos of cars spewing them out, as well as an array of still pictures of drive shafts that look like pretzels. A broken racing driveshaft may result in severe engine damage due to excessive revving.

drag racing driveshafts

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There are numerous things to take into consideration when choosing the right driveshaft. It is important to consider the shaft material, its diameter as well as length, thickness as well as U-joints, and yokes which are suitable for the job being performed. It is also crucial to take the vehicle's weight and horsepower into the equation. A heavily framed vehicle will place more stress upon the driveshaft than a tube chassis that is lighter in weight.

For some advice from an expert, we contacted Mark Williams Enterprises, the Colorado-based manufacturer that has more than seven driveshaft models that cover the entire spectrum of applications, that range from E.T. bracket automobiles to the 2,500 horsepower Power Mods.

The company also offers a torsional test device that was custom-designed which can produce as much as 15,000 ft./lbs. torque during computer-controlled cycles. They are aware of the limitations of the materials used for driveshafts as well as their related components.