Why no CF driveshaft?

[UAmach1]

Just wondering, if the wing and wheels on the R are CF why not also the DS to shave a couple more lbs?

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[KiLLeR2001]

Yeah why not all the body panels either?

 

[UAmach1]

Yeah why not all the body panels either?

Well even a 2012 370Z has a cf composite DS.

 

[Ixse]

Well even a 2012 370Z has a cf composite DS.

Yea but 370z doesnt have magnetic shocks, 5.2L 8250rpm motor. Every manufacturer needs to save $ for profit margin. Sure ford could’ve used more aluminum on suspension parts as well, but nobody wants to see 65k gt350 and 80k gt350r.

 

[UAmach1]

Just feels like that would have been such a small thing to add with all it already has.

 

[Epiphany]

On June 2nd, 2015 I attended the "Powertrain Reveal" for the upcoming GT350 at SVT's headquarters on 777 Republic Drive in Allen Park, Michigan. A short list of journalists were in attendance. I was there to help document and to dig as deep as I could. Having had a bit of experience with the CF shaft on the '13/'14 GT500, it was something I was indeed interested in as far as whether the GT350 would use one or not.

Ford never released any photos or made mention of a CF shaft for the car. I came upon evidence that Ford was testing with a CF shaft and was certain it would make the cut. But just like that, Ford showed what was going to be on the production car and it was a two-piece steel unit. Whether it was a cost-cutting measure or somehow couldn't be made to work, I had to know. So when the opportunity arose at the Reveal I made sure to inquire. I had a few minutes with Jamal Hameedi before the event started and I asked why no CF shaft for the GT350. The following is what I wrote at the time...

I inquired as to why (cost aside) a carbon fiber shaft was not tapped for this application and Jamal repeated a comment he had previously made that a CF shaft simply isn't stiff enough for this application. When I mentioned the critical speed that the CF shafts offer (such that the '13-'14 GT500 could hit over 200mph) Jamal corrected me by stating that it was critical frequency that was the concern. This is where the engineers put the time in to ensure these frequencies were in the range where they needed to be. The two-piece shaft that the GT350 will utilize is not what will limit its top speed.

Eventually I'll piece together the effort that wasn't to be but for now its a work in progress. Hopefully we'll see one on the next badboy from Ford.

 

[Eritas]

Not a big enough benefit for the cost? Compared to the shocks, aero, engine, tires.

 

[Epiphany]

At their outer ends, the steel inserts carry rolled splines to mate with the CV joints, and at the driveshaft end there is a plunging (telescoping) section to absorb rear axle movement as a traditional splined-yoke would. All told the steel inserts cost more than the tube, leading Jamal to joke, "We managed to design steel that's more expensive than carbon fiber!"

...

 

[UAmach1]

On June 2nd, 2015 I attended the "Powertrain Reveal" for the upcoming GT350 at SVT's headquarters on 777 Republic Drive in Allen Park, Michigan. A short list of journalists were in attendance. I was there to help document and to dig as deep as I could. Having had a bit of experience with the CF shaft on the '13/'14 GT500, it was something I was indeed interested in as far as whether the GT350 would use one or not.

Ford never released any photos or made mention of a CF shaft for the car. I came upon evidence that Ford was testing with a CF shaft and was certain it would make the cut. But just like that, Ford showed what was going to be on the production car and it was a two-piece steel unit. Whether it was a cost-cutting measure or somehow couldn't be made to work, I had to know. So when the opportunity arose at the Reveal I made sure to inquire. I had a few minutes with Jamal Hameedi before the event started and I asked why no CF shaft for the GT350. The following is what I wrote at the time...

Eventually I'll piece together the effort that wasn't to be but for now its a work in progress. Hopefully we'll see one on the next badboy from Ford.

Thank you for the detailed explanation. :-)

 

[RyanR3KC]

THIS SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR....

CAAAAAAAPTAIN

AAAAFFFFFFFFTERMARRRRRRKET!!!!!!

 

[Epiphany]

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89699

 

[nastang87xx]

Jamal Hameedi himself said they were testing a CF unit but the cost to benefit wasn't good enough. They kept on trying to make it more cost effective but hit a point where the piece just wasn't of decent quality enough and scrapped it.

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