Just curious, and careful for my own safety here..
NHRA requires a driveshaft loop for 12.99 and faster cars..
anybody here in the 12-sec range ever break a driveshaft, ujoint, or axle?
Im trying to find a general breaking point e.t. wise where stock GN parts such as these begin to wear and give way. SInce making it into the low 12's, im becoming more thoughtful of the neglected parts in my powertrain. :\
Please - share your experiences with this. I currently leave at 15lbs boost, and that jolt can't be good for stock driveshafts/axles and ujoints...or can it? Personally, i've only seen 2 driveshafts break and those were both on 8 second cars with 5000 stalls..mine is stock.
Should i worry and/or budget to replace them soon?
Jay
87GN
Jay I have seen cars running slower than 12's break u-joints for one reason or the other. I have also see a few almost very bad accidents because of this, so I agree with NHRA get the loop. There is a post on one of the other boards where on a camaro the u-joint broke and the drive shaft came up through the floor.
Take Care
The NHRA requirement is for all cars faster than 13.99.
Thanks for the info guys - and to clarify, I do have a loop. I was just seeing how many people actually have theirs fail. Nick you brought up a point I've heard before. The official at the track I run at said that all cars on street tires faster than 13.00 need a loop, and all cars on slicks that go 13.99 and faster need a loop. Is that true?
Anyway, Ive got enough replies on the mailing list as well that say even 13-second cars break driveshafts and the like. I have never seen that, nor do i want to. I think im gonna go for broke and beef that stuff up. Thanks again for the help, guys.
Hi Jay. When I broke the 7.5" rear in my '78 Grand Am eleven years ago, I stepped up to a Curries 9" and a driveshaft from Dennies. If you have the factory 8.5" in the back of a T-Type/GN, the rear end should be OK. Just change the fluid regularly, and use a good brand, maybe even Mobil 1. I would consider C-clip eliminators too. Dennies driveshafts are priced right and his warranty is unbelievable. I opted for the shaft with front and rear yokes, and I think it was less than $300 shipped. Just a shaft I think was well under $200. We don't always do it, but aren't we speed freaks supposed fix stuff before it breaks? Good luck, and have fun.
P.S. As Red Green would say "If it ain't broke? Your not trying hard enough!"
My favorite is;
"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space!"
Our Buicks take you there and keep you there, on the edge, that is. Keep the rush alive!