az 88 5.0

Is worth it to pick up an aluminum driveshaft? i read that reduces both unsprung & rotational weight improving acceleration. and reduces driveline vibrations for a smoother ride. so is it worth it i can pick one up for about 320. input and suggestions thanks.

primetime5.0

I got one and I noticed a difference

FivePointOhh

get one from a 95 awd aerostar. use diff u joints, mustang yoke and you have a aluminum drive shaft at j/y prices, thats what i run. got it for 26 bucks. even has the ford sticker on it still

TrimDrip

are those as thin as the others models? My buddy had one cut down the other day that the Ford place threw away, it was only like a 1/16" of an inch thick.

67mustang302

I'm curious if anyone who has done an aluminum ds swap ONLY with no other mods has actually noticed a difference at the track. Rotational inertia is based both on the mass and the center of rotation of the mass, the latter being an exponential effect. Al DS's are larger in diameter to have the necessary strength, so it would seem in most cases that the less mass would be canceled out by a larger distance from the center of rotation. The benefit would probably be more noticeable on a car that had a lighter unspring package as well, lighter wheels and brakes etc.

As far as vibration, that's a balance issue, but the harmonics of rotational speed that destroy DS's are better resisted by stronger and smaller diameter materials. AL has the least resistance, carbon fiber has the most, steel and CM steels are generally better than AL, but mild steel vs Al depends on the DS design. That's why most race teams that can afford it run carbon fiber first, and CM steel with a small diameter second.

Has anyone here actually done an AL DS swap with no other mods at all and picked up any time?

symonds86

stupid question but you use the rear one correct, i have heard it both ways

stang8689

I didnt notice much difference with mine but its still good to have

ALMOST STOCK

This should give you all the info you'll need and more. A Ford driveline engineer explains it in detail.

http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny...n/page17.shtml

aleXander2648

I have one. I couldn't feel the difference but the weight was all i cared about. And my drive shaft is about 3.5 feet long LOL