5.0L GT Modifications Placeholder for future motor based GT's modifications.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Aluminum driveshaft?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 1, 2011 | 07:03 PM
  #1  
2012GT's Avatar
Thread Starter
Cobra Member
 
Joined: February 18, 2011
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Aluminum driveshaft?

Who has one? How much lighter is it than the 2 piece stock unit? Is there any noise after completing this mod? all input appreciated from people that know the benefits for the 11/12's with this mod. thanks
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2011 | 02:18 PM
  #2  
Glenn's Avatar
Legacy TMS Member
 
Joined: August 7, 2006
Posts: 16,113
Likes: 789
From: In Boredom
I like mine and didn't really notice any more noise. I did notice a little more pep and a little better mpg's. The 2012 shafts are expensive arn't they?
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2011 | 03:29 PM
  #3  
2012GT's Avatar
Thread Starter
Cobra Member
 
Joined: February 18, 2011
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
What year do you have? 11/12's are the same. Why did they go to a 2 piece unit anyways?
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2011 | 03:38 PM
  #4  
Tony Alonso's Avatar
Legacy TMS Member
 
Joined: February 8, 2004
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 7
From: Cincinnati, OH
Originally Posted by 2012GT
What year do you have? 11/12's are the same. Why did they go to a 2 piece unit anyways?
Mustangs have had a 2-piece driveshaft since the 2005 model year for reducing noise, vibration, and harshness.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2011 | 02:00 PM
  #5  
rsb5772's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: September 12, 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Texas
No problems with my Shaftmasters.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2011 | 01:05 PM
  #6  
The Sheriff's Avatar
GT Member
 
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Lake City, Pa.
Originally Posted by 2012GT
What year do you have? 11/12's are the same. Why did they go to a 2 piece unit anyways?
I heard safety was an issue & that the 1 piece should have a safety loop, where the 2 piece doesn't require one.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2011 | 12:04 PM
  #7  
klisetron's Avatar
V6 Member
 
Joined: March 26, 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: California
I thought that was more so mandated by track officials/safety regulations at any drag strip. Not really a necessatiy fro daily driving.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2011 | 07:12 AM
  #8  
Big Poppa's Avatar
Cobra Member
 
Joined: May 25, 2005
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
From: Skopje, Macedonia
Originally Posted by Tony Alonso
Mustangs have had a 2-piece driveshaft since the 2005 model year for reducing noise, vibration, and harshness.
If the 2 piece unit reduces NVH, then why buy a 1 piece? Glenn said he didn't notice anymore noise and got slightly better gas mileage. I wonder why they just didn't put this on from the factory. I bet the price difference wouldn't be that much.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2011 | 09:20 AM
  #9  
kn7671's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: July 26, 2004
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, TX
Originally Posted by Big Poppa
If the 2 piece unit reduces NVH, then why buy a 1 piece? Glenn said he didn't notice anymore noise and got slightly better gas mileage. I wonder why they just didn't put this on from the factory. I bet the price difference wouldn't be that much.
Somebody once said they suspect for safety reasons based on where the fuel tank resides on the 2005+ Mustang. Kinda makes sense, but I'm sure the NVH argument plays in as well, as the cars has to be below a certain decibel at highway speeds.

I remember my 1-piece aluminum driveshaft in my 1984 Mustang, and while the cars wasn't too loud, that driveshaft sure made some pinging noises from time to time. Never enough to annoy you, just enough to remind you it was there.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2011 | 01:37 PM
  #10  
Cusp's Avatar
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: September 8, 2009
Posts: 282
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, California
My installation did not result in more noise or vibration. Its been on for 12k miles so far. Because it was installed concurrent with the 3.73 gears, I can't seperate the effect on acceleration. However the effect of them both was noticable. Larger than the effect of the cai and tune. All together, this gt is very different than when I drove it off the dealers lot.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2011 | 06:38 PM
  #11  
Tony Alonso's Avatar
Legacy TMS Member
 
Joined: February 8, 2004
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 7
From: Cincinnati, OH
Originally Posted by Big Poppa
If the 2 piece unit reduces NVH, then why buy a 1 piece? Glenn said he didn't notice anymore noise and got slightly better gas mileage. I wonder why they just didn't put this on from the factory. I bet the price difference wouldn't be that much.
I believe people who buy the 1-piece do it for removing weight and rotational mass more than anything, especially for drag racing.

The S197 Mustang has a longer driveshaft than the previous generation. My understanding of what Ford did was to combat some of the driveline clunk and "whiplash" from the SN-95 days was to have that big weight in the middle to counter some of the windup. Recall the driveline weights that people would take off the SN-95 Mustangs at the rear of the shaft? There is a possibility that the removal would result in a little more jerky feeling upon acceleration. I've experienced that firsthand in my 2001 Bullitt, especially since it is supercharged, when I changed out my driveshaft from stock to a Ford Racing aluminum one. The driveline weights were removed upon the finding the new part was balanced.

Also, I thought I had read somewhere about the change in the pinion angle playing a factor. When you go to a single piece, I believe that can be affected because the of the angling of the 2 pieces vs having a single piece.

In Ford's literature for the 2005 Mustang, it was generally advertised that improving the NVH characteristics was the reason for the change.

I think people's experiences vary, based on the manufacturing variations among different products.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2011 | 04:15 PM
  #12  
BlackMamba03's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: August 1, 2011
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by 2012GT
Who has one? How much lighter is it than the 2 piece stock unit? Is there any noise after completing this mod? all input appreciated from people that know the benefits for the 11/12's with this mod. thanks

if youre really considering a 1 piece, id look into dynotech engineering. they have all types of driveshafts, from aluminum to carbon fiber in 3" and 3.5". they can also do custom driveshafts. in terms of weight, youll save 20-25 pounds going with a one piece depending on what matieral its made out of. obviously carbon fiber weighs less then aluminum and can handle excessive amounts of horsepower. also when installing a 1 piece its recommened a driveshaft saftey loop be installed. i recommend BMR suspension. they just released their new one for the 2011+ mustangs. hope this helps! best of luck
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2011 | 07:55 AM
  #13  
MRGTX's Avatar
Shelby GT350 Member
 
Joined: May 18, 2010
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 15
From: CT
Originally Posted by BlackMamba03
if youre really considering a 1 piece, id look into dynotech engineering. they have all types of driveshafts, from aluminum to carbon fiber in 3" and 3.5". they can also do custom driveshafts. in terms of weight, youll save 20-25 pounds going with a one piece depending on what matieral its made out of. obviously carbon fiber weighs less then aluminum and can handle excessive amounts of horsepower. also when installing a 1 piece its recommened a driveshaft saftey loop be installed. i recommend BMR suspension. they just released their new one for the 2011+ mustangs. hope this helps! best of luck
20lbs of rotating mass is a serious improvement.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2011 | 10:19 AM
  #14  
2012GT's Avatar
Thread Starter
Cobra Member
 
Joined: February 18, 2011
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Aluminum driveshaft alone shaved 2/10ths off the Steeda car in the 1/4.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2011 | 11:34 AM
  #15  
BlackMamba03's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: August 1, 2011
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by MRGTX
20lbs of rotating mass is a serious improvement.

ya its pretty impressive. in my opinion, a 1 piece driveshaft should be one of the first mods a person does on a mustang. not only are they pretty simple to install but your 1/4 mile times will improve, youll drop a little bit of weight and the overall driveability of the car improves. you should look into it my friend.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:01 PM
  #16  
MRGTX's Avatar
Shelby GT350 Member
 
Joined: May 18, 2010
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 15
From: CT
Originally Posted by BlackMamba03
ya its pretty impressive. in my opinion, a 1 piece driveshaft should be one of the first mods a person does on a mustang. not only are they pretty simple to install but your 1/4 mile times will improve, youll drop a little bit of weight and the overall driveability of the car improves. you should look into it my friend.
Absolutely...
So what impact does this have on the all to common wheel hop issues?
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2011 | 08:01 PM
  #17  
BlackMamba03's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: August 1, 2011
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by MRGTX
Absolutely...
So what impact does this have on the all to common wheel hop issues?

well the 1 piece driveshaft is more for performance and strength, the wheel hop issue is usually solved by suspension upgrades and bigger, stickier tires
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2011 | 08:48 PM
  #18  
2012GT's Avatar
Thread Starter
Cobra Member
 
Joined: February 18, 2011
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Originally Posted by BlackMamba03
well the 1 piece driveshaft is more for performance and strength, the wheel hop issue is usually solved by suspension upgrades and bigger, stickier tires
I have absolutely 0 wheelhop on my base GT.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2011 | 11:53 PM
  #19  
BlackMamba03's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: August 1, 2011
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by 2012GT
I have absolutely 0 wheelhop on my base GT.

then youre one of the lucky ones. ive been hearing alot of people complain about it lately. obviously im not 100% sure of the circumstances cause im not in the car with them but even a bone stock GT shouldnt have as bad of suspension problems as ive been hearing about.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 07:19 PM
  #20  
2012GT's Avatar
Thread Starter
Cobra Member
 
Joined: February 18, 2011
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Originally Posted by BlackMamba03
ya its pretty impressive. in my opinion, a 1 piece driveshaft should be one of the first mods a person does on a mustang. not only are they pretty simple to install but your 1/4 mile times will improve, youll drop a little bit of weight and the overall driveability of the car improves. you should look into it my friend.
Yea, this and GT 500 axleback is next. After Gus told me that their aluminum piece shaved 2/10ths off of their car, I figured this is one of those must have mods that won't effect daily drivability.
Reply



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:44 AM.