I am digging into my rearend mods when I realy noticed that if you have a rear u_joint failure that the Driveshaft would most likely puncture the gas tank do to its design.The gas tank raps arround the driveshaft. :scratch: I think I might be doing a fuel cell anyways but this should be looked at if your going to be running some serious numbers done the road.

 

Get a carbon fiber drive shaft. If the U-joint fails and shaft strikes the tank, CF will splinter into dust and harmless shrapnel rather than ingnite a fireball. Not to mention the ~3% drive train loss youll eliminate through reduction in rotational intertia (should be good for about 20 rwhp and quicker throttle response.) PLUS, then youd be able to say "yeah, ive got a carbon fiber drive shaft."

 

here we go again.
Mike, do you think a driveshaft loop would prevent the contact?

 

I have not seen were the driveshaft loops bolt to yet, but I am sure they would help.I cant believe ford would design a gas tank design like that on a performance car that they know people will build faster and faster.I bet you will see more of this in the future.As the shafts get worn.

 

Get that welder out and make some loops, you dont want a shaft letting go when you dial up that 10.90 next year!

 

Sound like the old Pinto of the 70's...get hit in rear and BOOM! LOL

 

wELL I SEE NO FIX FOR THIS EXCEPT TO REMOVE TANK AND GO WITH FUEL CELL.TANK SURROUNDS SHAFT.THERE IS NO WAY TO MAKE ANY BRACKET.YOU WOULD HAVE TO WELD IT TO THE TANK.

 

"here we go again. "


Haha, I take it the CFDS idea has been hashed and rehashed?

 

I have one, but have removed it. It will only remove drivetrain loss. I did pick up something like 5 or 9 hp, can't recall exactly. It's definately not a mod intended to p/u hp. I broke the stock 2 piece and bent the output shaft on the tranny. This gave me a vibration, so it's out along with the motor and driveshaft. I still have to research the rules as far as carbon fiber goes. I've heard that's composite driveshafts are illegal in certain classes, but am not sure if that's only in NHRA sanctioned races or if it applies to NMRA/FFW races as well.

 

Yea...there is some room around the shaft, but a silly design by Ford.The tank is protected with an outer shell,but there's always the chance that could happen.
Loops were designed to keep the cars from catapulting should a front failure happens.

Anyone that plans to run the 1320, needs to have loops anyway, its only common sence, not to mention a required safety item. Even more so now with the two piece shaft and a carrier bearing...IMO

 

I've probably spent more time under my car than anybody else here and I say its very possible to have a driveshaft safety loop protect this from ever happening. Even ones that are already on the market could be modified to your liking.

-Dan

 

Without actually hopping underneath my own car (just by looking at pictures online, it seems like it'd be possible to fabricate a loop for the rear end of the driveshaft. It seems to me you could make something that would bolt to the holes on the rear differential itself that are on either side of the pinion. Just make it come forward from there and have a loop. You would just have to make sure that it would not hit the exhaust or tank under suspension travel, but that seems like it would be the easiest way to attach a loop back there.

 

sounds like the best solution.....

 

Another fairly easy solution (if possible with the Mustang) is to select where you want your weak link. This was pretty common in the Jeep world. If you know you absolutely don't want that rear u-joint to let go, make sure it is a beefy upgrade compared to the one up front or in the middle of the drive shaft. Not sure if it is possible with the 8.8 rear end (may need a new pinion yoke, etc...).