Schimmle

Does anyone know or know where I can find what the capabilities of our OEM drive shaft is? I was looking to upgrade components on the drive train and with this already seeming to be an up-graded part, I was wondering what kind of numbers this can handle. Obviously the forced induction route is what I've chosen, and I'm looking at up-grading where I can. I've already looked at the BHR axels, and the Mazsport Transmission conversions but was wondering about this component. Basically I'll be staying in the Carbon Fiber catagory but should I also look to improve on this. I'm looking for numbers here and not just opinions. Thanks either way!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

It has more than enough strength than you need. at least for now.

Schimmle

and how much strength do I need...is what I'm asking. I'm just looking for ratings here. Oh to hell with it...just for ***** and giggles, i currently run a 20b, running a turbo unit. I've also improved the capacity for torque and horsepower in every other component in the car, except for the drive shaft. I've recently dyno'd at 555horsies and 426 lbs torgue! Now work with that...I'm pretty sure this isn't a hard question, and if all you're going to add is, some random opinion, I'd prefer you didn't. Just looking for the capacity of the current drive shaft. No more, no less.

SilentSpring

An actual TQ rating is probably going to be hard to come by. No one except Rob and Manuel have pushed the envelope that high, and they ended up not being able to use it with their setup's.

Carbon Fiber shafts though are generally very stout and are usually billed as the best you can get.

Might want to see if some of the companies that race the rx-8 have an actual TQ spec on it. My personal feeling is that it will handle more then you'll be able to throw at it.

Schimmle

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Thats more like it!

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Any pics of your setup?

Schimmle

I don't actually have the set up. I was just giving an example of what possibly could be. It was used just to get rid of the "enough for you" comments. I'm looking to upgrade all different kinds of components in the car and I was just wondering what the tech specs on the drive shaft was, that if in time I wanted to up-grade it to something more reliable or something stronger. In all honest truth, My current upgrades on my car performance wise, is the Racing beat exhaust, Duel resonated mid-pipe from Mazsport. I'm just waiting a couple months to get the transmission change from Mazsport.

This is where the original question came from. They offer a aluminum drive shaft and was wondering about the differences between the different types. I found that Carbon fiber seems to way to go. So knowing that we already have a carbon fiber drive shaft I just wanted to know what it could handle, and at that point in time wondering if I should go to an aftermarket one. Once all these componets are in place, I will then be getting my engine rebuilt ...the current Renesis, with carbon apex seals and what not to make it more durable for Forced induction. I will then be purchasing the Mazsport Type 1 turbo kit, and going from there. Although the idea of waiting to see if the 16x renesis would actually come to life and drop that in there would be nice, but who knows if its actually gonna be a reality. I'm going with what is availible and not what might be.

And I can't forget...The BHR rear axels.

Schimmle

WOW...thanks for the input. And to be honest with you I'll be getting everything else done before I get the turbo. I'd rather have a car that can handle 600hp than a car that can get 400hp but only handle 420. So I'll be getting all the other up-grades first. Believe me when I say I'll keep you in mind! You offer so really good stuff1 Thank you once again! As for the Diff...what type, style, would you suggest?

MazsportScott

Sorry about being late to the party, the factory d-shaft is perfectly capable of handling 400rwhp and will likely handle more. We have customers daily driving 350-360rwhp cars without issue.

We did have had a customer break his factory carbon shaft but it was a rally car so it very well may have been cracked from debris, been dropped or something else.

The aluminum replacement is a tried and true replacement for high horsepower applications.

Hope this helps,Scott

Schimmle

What can the aluminum shaft handle and how much does it cost? Thanks for the input Scott!

truemagellen

It can snap at 550whp and turn into two beautiful sunflowers. Or even with less power depending on your setup.

Schimmle

Well as much as I love sunflowers, Carbon Fiber still seems the way to go. Know of any place to get a carbon fiber drive shaft besides Presicion Driveshaft Technologies? I talked to a Shaun there and he quoted me around $850, which is a lot less then I thought it was going to be. Just looking for options, not saying these guys aren't good. I just want to do a couple check up's is all. Better a pain in the *** searching now than a pain in the *** fixing or buying a new one again in the future.

slappomatt

holly necro post, I am starting a K24 turbo swap for a drag application, shooting for somewhere between 450-600hp. will be using a cd009 trans with a IRS 8.8 rear, so the factory unit almost for sure wont be retained. just curious if anyone actually knows what its limits are? I hear the stock gear boxes are good for 400ish and rear end is about the same.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

better a necropost bump than all the other latest full noobtards rampantly starting new threads on old topics so he gets a thumbs-up kudos in my book.

of course that’s not the factory driveshaft and there is at least one RX8 on here making about 550 whp with one. It’s blowing 3rd gear out the Mazda 5-spd transmissions though.

the issue imo is protecting it, because stuff bouncing up from the road etc. can gouge one easier and then it can fail from that damage. The OE CF driveshaft is protected by the PPF and a cover. Which the service manual warns you to wrap and protect it upon removal for that very reason.

So then if you do a non-Mazda trans swap and delete the PPF then that’s something you should have some consideration for. Of course the OE shaft is 20 year old technology now too. At one time Mazdatrix dsold an aluminum driveshaft that was not only stronger, but was a pound or two lighter as well. The factory isn’t all that light imo, but probably lighter than a steel one.
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