Hi guys,

Well... its that time in my conversion to start thinking about drive shafts.. I have read some threads discussing drive shafts etc and basically all of you agree that welding on two bits from either car is NOT a good idea due to the shafts being heat treated etc etc.

My next door neighbour is a fitter/turner so he said he can make me up whatever i need at his work place if I give him the dimensions. so my questions are as follows:

What material are the drive shafts made from? mild steel stock or some higher strength material ( probably the latter.. ) can I order a billet of this from.. say.. Smorgan or something?

What is the basic methodology behind determing dirve shaft total length? I guess the criteria should be that the drive shaft stays within the diff cups ( I dont know the right word) of the engine for full droop and for full bump, the drive shaft doesn't go and smack against the end of the diff cups.
Can anyone give me the diameter of their drive shafts if they could please ( obviously has to be a 4efte conversion)

Any help with this would be appreciated

Cheers

pubudu

The steel I used to make mine out of was 4340 then had them heat treated (case hardened to around 55rockwell) I think the diameter was around 30mm then turned down to suit.When heat treating drill and tap a hole in the end so a small bolt can be screwed in to the end so it can be hung otherwise if layed flat and heat treated the shaft may bend. As for working out the length hard to explain I think some has already done a post on it.

_________________
4efte powered Clubman
supercharged 998 race car

Have you sorted your shafts yet? In case you are still looking for a supplier for 4340 or whatever... http://www.atlasmetals.com.au

_________________
Metal to burn, sparks to fly...

The easiest route here Pub is to let a driveshaft manufacturer do it.

For about $200 per side, I let them have all the headaches!

It is after all, a specialised job!

Cheers,
Tricky

_________________
"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

I think thats what i'll do. Get the engine sitting in there exactly as i want it at correct weight and with the wheels and brakes exactly in place and then take it to someone who will get the correct length and as Tricky said, leave them the hassles.