Did anyone ever look into replacing the the 2 piece propshaft with a carbon fibre shaft.

was wondering if a single piece would work, I'm not sure what the impact would be if the central bearing was removed. (vibration wise, balance etc).
what is the max length before a central bearing must be included?

also the short front prop, this would be a good mod in Carbon fibre. (or Titanium)

together the props weigh 12.5kg, thats a lot of rotating mass, the weight of carbon fibre items would probably be around 5kg.

 

Kenny, i have no idea at what lengths etc before central bearings are used.
but i for one would be most definatly interested if a lot of weight could be removed in making a carbon equivalent and the price wasnt to scarry!!

 

A company already do a carbon fibre one with billet ends for lotus 7/Caterhams and claim its good for 1000hp!! so I can't see why one couldn't be done for an Escort!

 

Nick, would you know anymore details on that manufacturing company?

name, contact etc

 

www.carbon-bits.com
sales@carbon-bits.com or telephone 013873 75777

According to the website the guys name is Mr Richard Lee

 

http://www.torqline.com/

If you want I can try talking to them as we bought some of their products in the past. We had them on Evos and Scoobs, and they do well without support bearings and are incredibly light. Not that expensive as well.

 

I've looked at the Torqline website, but didn't contact them yet. I wanted to ask first if anyone from here had been in touch as the price is a big factor. I don't like approaching companies just to waste their time.



Nick
I was expecting to save more than 1.8kg, how long is the Lotus 7 prop? I had not heard of the company 'Carbon-Bits' before, I'll look at the website tonight.



Kelv
Maybe if there was a good demand, a little bit of discount could be negotiated.

 

Nick

just noticed, the pic you posted of the Lotus 7 prop, it was made by CTG Torqline or at least the sticker says so.

 

I'v already looked into this and the cost would be £10k, as they want a minimum order of ten. That is at cost with no mark-up .

 

 

Hi Mike

ok, thats the first bit done at least we know the cost.

Is that for a one piece replacement or two piece? What about the short front section, it's bloody heavy.

How many people would actually go through with the deal? At this end maybe 2 or 3.

cheers

Kenny.

 

We as 4turbo.eu are even a distributor of sorts for them althugh we haven't sold any in some time.


There are some titanium front props available I don't know where from but I have seen one on hill-climbing Escos in Poland.

 

Hi Azrael
Mmm. Titanium sounds nice, just the job. If you find any more details, stick em up on the thread.

Theres a Titanium prop fitted to the Lancia Delta Integralle here, it looks really good. In fact the front section is Titanium, the rear section is Carbon.

kenny.

 

The guy who owns the car says it's original group A item, but I don't he knows what he's talking about.

 

we have an Orig spec GpA car here, the propshaft is thinner dia than road version, but it's not Titanium.

 

Would be one piece AFAICR. I gave them all the dimensions and even said I could lend them one to look at, but when they came back with the price, I just quietly filed that idea away in the "lottery win" folder .

Obviously you would need ten people to put up £1k in advance, because there is no way I would be prepared to outlay that kind of money for no profit .

I didn't even get as far as the front prop after that LOL.

 

Mike, I thought you had won the lottery...
just kidding


would it be worthwhile getting a list together, or do you think that the price is too much for too little gain?
It is a part to be considered in conjunction with lightweight gun drilled shafts and motorsport joints, then a real difference could be felt in acceleration and braking. Not forgetting the magnesium wheels of course.

Agreed, the £1k would have to be in advance as I also would not like to have 9 spare propshafts in my garage.

 

Did Stian's WRC Escort not run a Carbon Prop?

 

for 99% of people I think this would be far too small an improvement for the ££ it would cost.

 

you are probably correct, but it's nice to dream now and again.

I'll probably have to put the idea on the shelf along with my Carbon fibre roof.

As I said in another thread somewhere, I have a friend whose Escos now weighs 940Kg. Coupled with 690ps, (mapped and measured by J Goddfrey), it can really fly. I have no chance to reach his times with my current set up so am always looking for improvements.

 

I delt with CTG the company that made that prop a few years ago...

www.ctgltd.co.uk

Had some pistons treated with some funky stuff (can't remember the name of the process)


Steve

 

at least it wont breakk mike !

 

Single Piece Props On The Old Mk2s Where Ok !!!!!!! Easier To Service Less To Go Wrong And F------very Easy To Remove/replace In The Woods-----
Carbon Fibre Though Mmmmmmmmmm! Not Sure What The Torque Would Do To Thatcarbons , Good In Some Applications But!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-????

 

I'd find a way .

 

lol

 

We used one in 800bhp Lancer drag-car. So they are quite strong ....

 

and if you didnt iam sure I would
stack came back sorted