Drive Shafts
The drive shaft links the transmission and the rear end. This may look like something simple but getting the wrong shaft will cost you because you can easily lose power if you do not have the right drive. It is important that you choose the right one so as to get the higher performance from your shaft. This is especially true if you have a race car. If you are shopping for this part of the vehicle, you may find it hard to make a decision on the right one. No need to worry, take a look at these factors before you settle on a particular shaft.
Weight
The weight of the drive will affect the performance of your car. It is not advisable to take a driveshaft that is heavy because it will add weight and will require a lot of power. Therefore, you should opt for a light one as this will allow you to save on power.
Material
There are different materials used in making a drive. The most common materials are aluminum. It is light in weight and will help you to reduce parasitic loss. It is also suitable for muscle cars. Steel is also another material that you can consider when making a purchase.
Speed
You have to make sure that your car will be operating at speeds that are lower than the critical speed. Whereby the critical speed is when the natural frequency is equal to the rotating speed. The factors that you consider when checking for the critical speed are the diameter and length. A larger diameter will enable the drive to go faster. You can know the critical speed by knowing the wall thickness, diameter and length.
Strength
As a car racer, you should put into account the strength of the shaft before anything else. A car that weighs more will require a stronger shaft. It is important that you know the weight of your car. When considering the strength of the drive shaft, look for the diameter, material it is made of and the size of u-joint.
These are just some of the things that you should look for when selecting a drive shaft. You will get value for your money by choosing the right drive for your race car. Do not worry any more about your race car not operating as required. Just do the right selection and you will be on your way to winning the race.