Hey guys I got a 2012 silverado 1500 that's getting a 408 stroker and a f1a-94 procharger shooting for the 800hp mark at the tires. Just curious what kind of power people make on the stock drive shafts? Or do you ditch them for aftermarket/custom made? Thanks!

 

typically shafts are built around length. Sounds like your combo is gonna make enough power to wad the stocker up, so you will probably need an upgrade at some point. Material, diameter is decided on due to length/rpm as a first priority, then power levels are discussed.

 

Stock aluminum driveshaft will vibrate above 95-100mph and not rated for speeds that high. They are known to explode above those speeds. There is a reason they set the factory limiter to 98 mph.

I'd go with a built steel shaft. And the front driveshaft should be a steel unit and I haven't heard of any problems with those ever.

 

I hear people say this, but I think they usually are referring to the 2wd shaft when they quote the 100ish mph limit. Anyone broken a 4wd rear shaft?

 

It really doesnt matter if it's in a 2wd or 4wd truck. The aluminum metal thickness is still the same and they still run the same diameter driveshaft. Just the length is different but with these it's not going to make them any stronger.

 

I cracked my AWD rear shaft, it would have broke had I not happened to see the crack.

FYI I now have a Big *** Alum one from Texas Driveshaft Specialist. 6" Alum, they rated it at like 2000lb tq from what I recall.

Take your stock alum one off and feel how heavy it is, it is a feather weight. Kinda scary.

 

There is a rubber lining on the inside of the aluminum driveshaft that above 100 starts to separate from the inner walls of the driveshaft and starts changing the balance of the shaft which will at that point start vibrating itself apart.... As mentioned steel or aftermarket aluminum are definitely the way to go if you plan on much over 100 on a regular basis....

 

It does matter because the transfer case makes the 4wd shaft shorter than the 2wd which impacts critical speed of a shaft considerably.

 

If you say so.

 

Length is very important to critical speed but the stocker is weak regardless of 2 or 4.