I've found a place very local to me that will make a one piece propshaft. (okay Craig and Andy, actually Darren found it)

 

While my z is sitting on the workshop ramp with no wheels on I thought what better time could there be for me to become a guinea pig!

 

The cost is going to be somewhere along the line of £300 plus the removal and refitting cost.

 

The weight of the one piece shaft isn't yet know as they havn't yet made it but it should be slightly less than stock.

 

Email me if interested or if you have any questions.

 

Steve

 

what are the immediate advantages to this i cant say as i cant voice my opinion on this forum lol

 

Warren,

 

The immediate advantage of this is that it will illiminate any vibrations that people tend to experience with the stock propshaft.

 

Until I know the weight of the new one, I can't comment on any power advantages. I know that if the weight is greatly reduced then the turning mass is less and therefore transfer of power to the rear wheels will be quicker.

 

Steve

 

Steve, I heard from several people in the US that it doesn't always eliminate vibrations.

In some cases it even became worse, because the shaft itself wasn't balanced too well.

 

On the other hand...if it's shaft that's a lot lighter then the stock one, it seems (according to a few people in the US that have a carbon-fiber shaft) the car feels much more responsive.

 

-Eric

 

steve, subject to your guinea pig testing, i will probably go for that as well.

 

aparent downsides to 1 piece are the angles the joints sit at on either end, might cause premature wear of the joints.

 

but, if they are easier to service than stock, and i lose my vibrations.. small price to pay

 

Eric,

 

I have seen postings about vibration problems with the aluminium and carbon fibre propshafts but I think this was an initial batch that was produced.

 

There is a bigger risk for us over here to buy a propshaft from the U.S incase of any vibration problems. It would prove difficult and costly to get repaired.

 

The source I have is local so any imperfections can be resolved easily before others decide to place an order.

 

I'll keep you all updated.

 

Steve

 

OK my furry friend, guinea pig you are. If it's ally then it should be about 3 times lighter than stock surely?

 

I'm still waiting on the return of my wheels before Darren can get my car in the air to remove the propshaft.

 

Should have some answers this week.

 

Anders, the one piece propshaft isn't ally like those in the U.S. It will be lighter than stock though.

 

Steve

 

hey Steve,

 

I always thought I was the guinea pig ?? You will know the result of my one piece aluminium driveshaft in a couple of weeks.

 

After some discussion over a surprise price increase, after they received the prop, the new 'one piece' will be back ready for refitting early next week.

 

This will get my Z back on the road after what seems like months although Warren might laugh at that!

 

I will confirm the total price for the work and give my comments overall on this modification.

 

Steve

 

Any news on the prop?

 

The single prop conversion is now fitted and for the limited mileage I've recently covered, my opinion is that it's an excellent upgrade/fix for a worn prop.

 

The vibrations I experienced for the first 10 minutes of warmup have now been gone and the power to the wheels is much more direct.

 

I have heard a very faint 'clonk' at the diff but this was not transmitted through the car in any way and most people probably wouldn't even hear it.

 

The quality and workmanship is excellent and I'm genuinely very pleased with the £350 it cost.

 

A longer term assessment will obviousy be made and I'll keep everyone interested updated.