I'm curious as to how much power the OE aluminum drive shafts can handle before destruction

 

Can't just put a number on it, there are too many factors. Tell us your engine, trans, weight, gearing, tires, and usage. Then we can tell you what to expect. It'll never be good for running tens, but beyond that, there's just no solid rule of thumb. If you want to run, plan on a 3"-dia. x 0.083"-wall steel shaft with 1350-series yokes.

 

They're not as strong as a steel shaft. An aftermarket aluminum shaft may be a bit stronger.

 

They stand up in the LS1 cars pretty good; so unless you're WAY past those AND you have realy sticky tires, probably not worth worrying about.

 

well there is no way I'm way past what the LS1s can do. It's pretty much like a healthy bump up. Sounds good, I just make sure before I invested and destroyed. Thank you

 

dont buy a real old Al one, the newer the better since aluminum has no endurance limit

 

Does anyone happen to know the wall thickness of any of the factory driveshafts? If we knew that, it would be a really easy calculation.

 

Tell that to the FAA.

I think that's a little bit of a .... stretch.

 

From what the guys here have told me, the thirdgen alum shafts are way stronger than the LS1 aluminum shafts.

 

I bet the third gen ones are pretty rare.

 

Not really...

Doesn't matter too much though. Take what you can get. Like I said, if the LS1 cars get by with em, most likely they'll work fine for most of us on here as well. Don't outsmart yourself over a bunch of "theory" type crap in cases like this; use your eyes, look around you, and just go with what works.

 

I have also heard the 4th gen shafts might have a thinner wall thickness, but
I have not confirmed.

 

I appreciate the help. there's just nothing worse than spending the money, and then braking it. If I had the money a carbon fiber one would be in the budget