18 replies to this topic

[Ducati996Senna]

Well I for one will be increasing the power of the engine to a stage that calls the strength of the drive shafts into question. Spoke to Stu Harris the other day to find out why and how the drive shafts failed on the VX sprint. He tells me that they have had a driveshaft twist and another break. Both of these failures were in the shaft not the coupling/joint. Stu's of the opinion that failures are likely to occur where the engine output exceeds 250bhp. I hate to think of the damage that a broken drive shaft can do as it flails around the engine, suspension etc. Stu has previously quoted £800 to uprate the drive shafts. Today I visited Paul GARRETT at GKN motorsport in Birmingham. I took both my driveshafts and he seperated the outboard CV joint from the main shaft. He needed to know the shaft diameter at the splined end to determine what joint vauxhall are using. His first comment was that the driveshafts are made by NTN a japanese company. Having measured the dia he was able to check to see if any other joint made by Vauxhall was stronger. The joints fitted to the turbo car are as strong as any produced by Vauxhall and he believes they are from an Astra turbo. The weak area is in the material that the main shaft is made from. He can supply new machined shafts made from 5155/300M steel as used in aircraft landing gear, F1 and WRC driveshafts. The price quoted for a 1 off pair excl VAT assembled on your existing inboard and outboard couplings but not posted: £180 short and £200 long shaft. I've ordered a pair to be made for me. However he tells me that if the request is for 5 pairs then the price will be £135 each excl VAT. If it is for 10 or more pairs then the price will be £90 each excl VAT. Postage will be on top of this and the 2 complete shafts weigh 17kgs. I'm going away for a week so I've told him I'll contact him a the begining of Sept. The machining time will be approx 5-6 weeks. Any takers will need to be able to supply the drive shafts in approx 5-6 weeks time. I will need payment up front for these. Anyone who wants them but can't provide the shafts then I can take both your order and your money. I can post the new shafts to you to assemble as and when. You can also post or deliver the drive shafts to me and I'll fit the new shafts and post them back. There will be a charge for this of £20. Currently Royal standard parcels up to 20kgs cost £11.21. VX220 n/a is not the same drive shaft as the turbo. To uprate these you will need to uprate the couplings also. Not sure on the costs of this. This wont be part of the group buy. I can provide a contact number for anyone considering this option.

[Thorney]

PM sent

[andym172]

Excellent work, and definitely food for though

[Chuck]

Apart from strength, do we know if these driveshafts are lighter than the standard ones?

[Jim_Cross]

Does anyone know what the power limit is for the NA driveshafts? Haven't heard of any failing on the VX-S cars yet...

[Timbo]

Sounds like a plan Stan

[Timbo]

Sean your a great driver, in fact your so great you are a complete girl on track

[Ducati996Senna]

finally I have them. Copy email: Dear Paul, with reference to the barshafts recently supplied. These are made from 300M material, which is the same spec used for all our WRC and F1 shafts. I hope this meets with your approval, please let me know if you have any further requirements. Kind Regards Ricky Tyler GKN Motorsport You'll be pleased to know that I ordered 5 pairs in anticipation of selling them all. This has brought the price down to £135 + VAT for each bar. Total amount for 2 shafts is £317.25. Postage will be £9.01 which includes £1.15 insurance. I have one pair left. I forgot to mention that they come with new snap rings for the ends of the bars and new rubber boot clips. After this pair has gone I will order another 5 pairs but on receipt of £100 deposit only. Please pm him with your interest/order.

[Chuck]

I'll take a set, I guess you don't need my old ones for any part ex type need.

[Thorney]

Seeing as my car is in pieces I'll put these on now Also, working on an understray mod to vent more air into the engine bay and around the turbo to combine with the Sprint boot lid we're getting made in CF. If a hybrid turbo can effectivley melt a mani then its sitll too hot in there

[ianrm]

Mani, Watch out your VXR might melt you !

[Ducati996Senna]

Chuck, you only replace the centre bar and retain the couplings

[Wile E. Coyote]

I know Bletch is no longer monitoring the forum or PMs but when I met him a few weeks ago he mentioned he was considering the stronger driveshaft mod. Paul-I'm not sure whether you've sold your last pair but an email sent to Sean (Bletch) might do the trick (If John hasn't already suggested it). Cheers Simon

[Chuck]

Ok, so long as you didn't need any parts from me as I'm not sure when they will be fitted. How do I go about paying for them etc.

Edited by Chuck, 11 November 2004 - 01:17 PM.

[Ducati996Senna]

All shafts have now been sold to the following: Thorney Bletch Cyberman Chuck. Chuck and Bletch have been sent pm's.

[ECM]

Chuck and Bletch have been sent pm's.

You'll need to e-mail Bletch as he's not getting his PMs at the moment but does respond to e-mail.

[Ducati996Senna]

Cheers ECM I'll do that.