Lets talk driveshafts

[DrewQ45]

I'm looking to replace mine. Starting to research carbon fiber and aluminum shafts. Seems they are all single piece units so I guess they are all minus the centerline bearing. Prices are around the same as a new OEM shaft.

Q45Tech doesn't seem to keen on after-market shafts and I'm sure he's seen his share at T3... so I'm kinda torn.

Any input and refs appreciated.

...Drew..

[elwesso]

I still recommend my PTI driveshaft... 1 year guarnteed vibration free, for $455 SHIPPED to your door...

[rsiwicki]

Last I check...carbon fiber driveshafts will run you close to $2,000 and that was about 2 years ago. Prices went up drastically on the raw carbon fiber material used to make them.

Prices are around the same as a new OEM shaft.

Show me a good carbon fiber driveshaft for close to OEM prices. Sijoko paid like $1,250 many many years ago before prices went up.

[elwesso]

Carbon fiber driveshafts are stupid for Q45s for reasons

1. They are overpriced2. They wont be as smooth3. Wont give you much performance gains on N/A application4. Causes excess wear on other drivetrain components

Youll have to pay at least 3-4-5-6 times to at least get them to be as smooht as OEM and give you some gain.....

If you wont even THINK about spending the money on OEM because they are "overpriced", well boss, you better think about heading back out to the junkyard, because CF wont be in your ball park..

Also, the reason that the Z32 guys go with the 1 piece is because at high power the center bearing needs replacement... The driveshaft is the weakest link in that setup... Youll find that most Z32 guys dont do the 1 piece aluminum shaft because they want to, its because they have to.....

[rsiwicki]

Wes...for some reason today I feel like giving you an a$$ whipping Don't know really why but I think my Q is sending me telepathic messages saying that the beast can't wait to whip another Q's a$$.

Hmmm...I guess I will have to let somebody else to the honors for me in my absence soon enough.

[gloucester Q]

anybody know what the list price on an oem one is?

[szh]

anybody know what the list price on an oem one is?

I'd ask Joe Tsensky ... at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com.

Z

[Q45tech]

List? who pays list? At least at dealer you get a FREE cup of coffee and a loaner and maybe a wash.............List means going to the parts department and hauling it out the door.........HEAVY.

In light on your past expenditures we have a wrecked 95Q with an oem drive shaft you can get that installed for $500 cash..............no warranty other than T3 will install it correctly [install all the bolts no indexing] with all the existing parts.

First come first sold call TY 404-784-7700.

[sijoko]

Last I check...carbon fiber driveshafts will run you close to $2,000 and that was about 2 years ago. Prices went up drastically on the raw carbon fiber material used to make them.

Show me a good carbon fiber driveshaft for close to OEM prices. Sijoko paid like $1,250 many many years ago before prices went up.

The total cost for my Carbon Fiber shaft was $1100 with shipping. This was in 2000. The shaft was made by ACPT in California. I sent them my original shaft and they sent both back to me. They also had to machine an adapter flange to connect it to the diff.

At that time, my original driveshaft was on its way out so the extra cost was not a problem for me. I considered it as an upgrade. But if I had to buy one at today's prices, things would be different.

Since Wes laid out the negatives of CF shaft, I wil give some pros:

- Lighter weight (14 lbs vs. 40+ lbs for OEM)

- Higher critical speed

- Safer in high horsepower applications in that the driveshaft will just shred into long fibers in the event of failure. They call this "brooming". I wonder what happens when a steel or alumimum driveshaft breaks.

There is probably some more but it has been a while since I researched this topic.

[elwesso]

Sijoko i know you had evil things in mind when buying your driveshaft (teehee) but wouldnt you say for the average owner, its farily pointless?? thats really the point im trying to make...

Rob, you know you dont stand a chance with the bottle!!!!

[redmanfx]

I'd go with a Power Train Industries (PTI) drive shaft. They have never had to replace one for a Q. I've recomended them to about 12 Q owners now and none has had a complaint, including myself & Wes. I even got a smaller diameter shaft(less weight) and still have no complaints.

Or.. If you live close to ATL, the T-3 deal is nice.

red

[rsiwicki]

Ahh Wes...I must resist.....but then again what the hell.

Bottle you say? I am sorry that you youngling is still suckling on the bottle. To bad if one was to take away your bottle you would whine your a$$ off. Even the bottle can be beaten....I would seriously like to see what 60~135mph run would be like against each other with you and your little itty witty bitty bottle.

Just playing with ya Wes....as I am getting a little fiesty trying to get in a couple last digs before the car is gone.

[elwesso]

Hah! Looks like happy hour went pretty good for you tonight!!!

You know that I dont rely on the bottle, i have a few tricks up my sleeve for this summer!!! The beast shall be tamed!

[FarFetched]

Do you trust shipping companies for gentle handling of your precious driveshaft?I've had cases where freshly shipped driveshaft needed ballancing re-done because of a slight bend in the middle of it. Even thought UPS picke up the ticket for the re-ballance, shipping such items is unsafe!That's my .02$Cheers!

[rsiwicki]

Ahhh Wes...I did not even go to HH tonight and worked till 8pm and now I am watching Barret Jackson. I am going tomorrow all day to check it out and also the girls as I hear there are some really great looking girls hanging around. Now you can bet that I will be tipping a beer or two tomorrow seeing all those fine cars while my vette still sits at the shop being worked on. Good news is that it truely is almost done as I saw it last weekend and it had come a long way from where it was just a month ago.

btw...I am always very careful on who handles my driveshaft

[redmanfx]

btw...I am always very careful on who handles my driveshaft

I laughed so hard at that I had beer coming out my nose!! Have to remember not to drink and read these at the same time....

red

[Peterofdevon]

I bought a new one from Joe (to try to solve a vib---it was not the shaft)

I'll sell mine---nothing wrong with it. Have the shipping carton from the new one.

$100 plus ship.

Peter

[gloucester Q]

ooh! peter, i'm interested. can you email me at [email protected]? thanks. randy

[pdqwrx]

I bought a new one from Joe (to try to solve a vib---it was not the shaft)

I'll sell mine---nothing wrong with it. Have the shipping carton from the new one.

$100 plus ship.

Peter

Peter- I would also be interested in the drive shaft if Gloucester Q changes his mind.....But can you tell me a little bit about your vibration issue?I am dealing with one right now and can't rule in or the drive shaft.Any info would be helpful.

ThanksScott

[DrewQ45]

Peter

What year is your Q?

[elwesso]

90-96 are interchangeable...

scott, i really dont think ti will fix your problem but i coudl be wrong

[DrewQ45]

90-96 are interchangeable...

Realize that but aren't the centerline bearings replaceable on the 94's and up?

[Q45tech]

Drew last chance before I claim the T3 shaft for my car ....$450 installed.

Just realized by 2nd shaft has 177,000 miles on it since 1998.

The never ending repair and replacement saga of old high mileage cars.

Anybody want a Q subframe with new solid rubber [instead of silicone front] bushings make a reasonable offer for local pickup in ATL and I'll connect you with owner.

[maxnix]

Rob, you know you dont stand a chance with the bottle!!!!

The bottle always runs out.

[elwesso]

Realize that but aren't the centerline bearings replaceable on the 94's and up?

yeah they are... the center bearings are different adn you have to get the new brackets too.

[DrewQ45]

Drew last chance before I claim the T3 shaft for my car ....$450 installed.

Just realized by 2nd shaft has 177,000 miles on it since 1998.

The never ending repair and replacement saga of old high mileage cars.

Anybody want a Q subframe with new solid rubber [instead of silicone front] bushings make a reasonable offer for local pickup in ATL and I'll connect you with owner.

Tech,

I'll pass, but thanks for offering.

Drew

[DrewQ45]

yeah they are... the center bearings are different adn you have to get the new brackets too.

Wes,

Which bracket are you referring to?

[elwesso]

the brackets that hold the carrier bearing to the frame...

[gloucester Q]

peter-i haven't heard from you and the email address that i pulled off your profile didn't work either. i'm not in a rush, just trying to figure out if we're each trying to get hold of the other and failing. randy

[Peterofdevon]

Damn!

there is a typo in my email address its [email protected] and the system says someone else has that...I find that impossible to believe..

[email protected]???

thats meeeeee

help wes!

My shaft is from my 94

Peter