One Piece Drive Shaft - Carbon Fiber or Aluminum

[BEERCHAMP]

If money isn't a factor, and even weight isn't. Is there any big difference in these two?
I'm old, fat and just starting to have fun at the drag track since I had a Super Snake Whipple installed on my '19 GT/CS.
This will be my next purchase.
Any thought which one to go with? Brand? etc.

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[John S]

Back when QA1 was making carbon fiber drive shafts, I installed one on my son's 2022 GT w/PP1 and 10R80 transmission. We couldn't resolve a high speed vibration issue and it turned out to be a system balancing design issue with the 10R80 transmission and not the driveshaft. QA1 was great about accepting the return and the OEM 2-piece driveshaft restored smooth high speed operation. GT500 used a one-piece carbon fiber driveshaft but critical speed was limited and they used a CV joint on both ends to address vibration issues. Durability upgrades and Inertia gains with a one-piece driveshaft are questionable over the OEM driveshaft while lighter wheels offer a more significant impact on acceleration improvement.

 

[NGOT8R]

Aluminum driveshafts are much cheaper and can be rated up to 1000 hp. I’ve had an aluminum one in mine for a few years and have hade many hits at the drag strip with no issues.

Carbon fiber is nice, but delicate in the sense that if a pebble or piece of debris hits it, it can be the start of a failure. It’s super strong until it isn’t.

 

[robvas]

Aluminum if it's not a race car

 

[DefaultDriver1]

I did an aluminum one. Couldn't get it to stop vibrating. Took it out and returned it. Went back to stock. I have the VMP Odin supercharger. I'm not racing and haven't had any issues.

 

[Craig Brown]

I have two Mustangs, 2011 V6 and 2015 GT V8 and they both have aluminum drive shafts. the V6 has the DDS and the V8 has the Doorman. They both are good parts.

 

[Balr14]

What NGOTBR said... carbon fiber is strong until it isn't. I used it a lot on RC helicopters and planes. Any form of impact or torsion in a direction it wasn't designed to handle will cause it to crack or shrewd. It's really difficult to work with or repair, too.

 

[Outlaw]

Alot of people use driveshaft shop since it's easy to get. The actual hood brands like shaft masters etc were all discontinued due to people complaining about vibrations etc (which is 100% a install issue) there is a specific way to install these things. But DSS (drive shaft shop) install is a royal pain in the ass and the chance of cross threading is super high if not guaranteed. As you can see due to the design the bolts physically cannot go in straight the best you can hope for is that it catches the threads right and pulls itself straight as it goes in and does not crossthread. You also won't get a Allen key or wrench on it. I had to used the super long ones I got from harbor freight specifically for the install and even then the ball end hex was at the max angle and still was wanting to slip since the ratches couldn't fit and it marked up the driveshaft pretty good from forcing it to turn. The torque wrench having a bigger head was even worse but it is very nice to have since my oem driveshaft was leaking and had a bad u joint at 50k miles (not replaceable and a new OEM shaft is like 900$ only 100-200 less than a 1 piece with no u joint so it won't leak.

 

[Headless Horseman]

I have a QA1 Carbon Driveshaft in my car driven through Atlanta streets and traffic. I drive it like it was meant to be driven. Ive had no problems and it's buttery smooth through 140+. They don't make anymore anyway.
YMMV

 

[horsepower addiction]

Aluminum because a carbon fiber one can get damaged to easily. If a rock hits it hard enough the whole thing is worthless

 

[Jjmoberg]

Gulf Coast Carbon Fiber here. Had it on about a week. Seems very smooth up to 120. I have a little more vibration than before, but I mean barely even noticeable. And i did diff bolts at the same time so it could be that.

 

[LethalPerformance]

If money isn't a factor, and even weight isn't. Is there any big difference in these two?
I'm old, fat and just starting to have fun at the drag track since I had a Super Snake Whipple installed on my '19 GT/CS.
This will be my next purchase.
Any thought which one to go with? Brand? etc.

We have used CF on so many of our shop cars at this point.. but we also have used aluminum... both are great and with a reliable brand, should give you no issues. You're, of course, looking to avoid either one breaking, but yes, as others have said, a CF break can be a bit gnarly (but again, so could aluminum).

I would look at it like this - do the aluminum for the occasional drag and day to day user. You save money and the CF is relatively unnecessary for such a user.

We have DSS (what we have personally used the most) and Gulf Coast (fantastic company as well) offered here:
https://www.lethalperformance.com/s...18-2023-mustang-gt/driveline-1/drive-shafts-2

Let us know if we can assist at all as we would be happy to do so.

 

[NGOT8R]

In case it hasn’t been mentioned here, a driveshaft safety loop is highly recommended, in order to prevent pole vaulting, if the front of the driveshaft happens to break.

 

[Optimum Performance]

Gulfcoast all day every day. CF doesn't come through the cabin when it fails.

 

[amperaged]

I just replaced my factory drive shaft with a 1 piece from The Drive Shaft Shop. As others have said installing it is a royal pain, but once in, it is a good driveshaft. I initially ordered a Doorman through O'REILLY Auto parts. Doorman canceled the order two days later. I ended up buying it through American Muscle. I DO.NOT RECOMMEND BUYING THROUGH AMERICAN MUSCLE!!! Three items ordered. 2 at one time and a 3rd separately. The driveshaft arrived on time, but the Crdael Lock Kit, which MUST be installed when installing a One Piece Driveshaft came in 4 days later. I ended up getting a bad driveshaft. I had to call them 3 days in a row, hounding them to make a decision on replacement or not. After calling and requesting to speak ro a manager, it took him 24 hours to return my call. I believe if I had not called them, I would have waited a full week for approval. I can say that I have no vibration at all! They have changed the bolts from the Allen head to a 12 point. They are a pain to install and torque. They also don't provide any documentation for installation. You must do your research before installing it. Also, do NOT use any of the washers THEY provide innthe package for the transmission connections. I am willing to provide.any additional details if you would like them.

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