TNTchris Posted December 30, 2012 Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 Hey Guys, I jut purchased a one piece drive shaft from Shelby for my 07 whipple supercharged SGT. I have been reading various post in regards to installing lower control arms with this piece. Is that necessary? What are the pros and cons? I use my car to cruise around and an occasional show, no tracking for me. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance TNTChris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Patten Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Chris, It is not a necessity but , it does reduce the amount of axle roll and pinion angle change by installing the LCA's over to ones with a less compliant bushing . You will need to possibly go to a different UCA ( an adjustable one ) when you change over the drive shaft because of the working angles of the u-joints . You will need to take measurements to find out if you need to go that way for correcting what has changed between the 2 piece drive shaft over to a 1 piece shaft . If you don't check then you may find yourself with a vibration problem as a result . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentg Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Chris, I'm still running the stock driveshaft, but did change both the upper and lower control arms. Huge improvement for wheel hop. I am running a Paxton SC. With your car, and the whipple, I think you would notice a big difference swapping out the control arms. Those big rubber bushings on the stock arms make for a quieter ride, but do nothing to keep the axle planted. Anytime I broke the back end loose on the stock control arms, it sound and felt like the rear end was going to explode. As far as the UCA, there's not a huge difference in cost to go adjustable, plus you will have the option to fine tune the pinion angle if you need to, which was worth it to me. I went with spherical poly bushings, there are other options out there though. The full-blown "race" style are usually heim joints, which will transmit a LOT more noise and vibration. I did notice an increase in cabin noise, but only over 80mph is it really noticeable with the poly bushings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDan Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 You don't "have to" install the lower. I will when I get the chance. I've felt the wheel hop under extreme accel (isn't that why we SC?) You definitely need adjustable upper arm. Check under full-throttle and I went with + 1.5 deg (If I remember correctly) If you just cruise and show car, no heavy boosting etc, two points: No suspension change needed Why SC car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2008GT-C Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 I installed the aluminum driveshaft on my Whipple SC Shelby after installing my lower control arms. These were installed only because I wanted to to upgrade to stronger lower control arms. I would invest in a driveshaft loop before the LCA'a. Simple to install. There will be opposing viewoints on installing one but it is cheap insurance. If you have the funds to install the LCA's and the driveshaft do it. They are both a win win upgrade. -Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbytexan Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 I installed the aluminum d.s. with the adjustible uca set at + 2 degrees and have no vibration to at least 115 mph. I installed the lca after having it supercharged. The only reason i installed the lca's is to make sure i don't have wheel-hop. Good-Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT3477 Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 i installed the 1 piece aluminum shaft with no other suspension changes, mine is every few days driver, street and show and fun driving only. no extra vibration. no other changes needed. i just installed it in a few hours i the driveway and its been smooth ever since. i do not have the supercharger though. knock on wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 i installed the 1 piece aluminum shaft with no other suspension changes, mine is every few days driver, street and show and fun driving only. no extra vibration. no other changes needed. i just installed it in a few hours i the driveway and its been smooth ever since. i do not have the supercharger though. knock on wood. One of these days I'd like to install one...but I find it interesting that some guys just install them, no questions asked and have no problems. Others have lots of detailed questions and concerns. Some install and have problems. Makes me wonder if I really want to take the chance and do it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbytexan Posted January 3, 2013 Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 One of these days I'd like to install one...but I find it interesting that some guys just install them, no questions asked and have no problems. Others have lots of detailed questions and concerns. Some install and have problems. Makes me wonder if I really want to take the chance and do it!! I probably wouldn't install one of these again.If i were putting my car on the track then every fraction of a second counts,but i just cruise around in mine.You will spend about 700.00 for the d.s. and i just don't think you get enough bang for the buck if not on the track. The advertisement of half the weight is correct as i weighed mine at 32 lbs before and 16 lbs after.If a tenth of a second means alot to you then go ahead but you want get a seat of the pants feel out of it. As i;ve stated several times on the forum 410 gears will do much more for our cars than headers,,d.s. or tune . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slbgtsc Posted January 3, 2013 Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 steeda makes an upper that was designed for lowered cars. I installed it along with lowers when i went supercharged to help plant my new found hp. I've had two different aluminum ds and neither had any vibration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT3477 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 im not sure how anyone else installed theirs.. but i jacked up the back and had the jack stands under the axles. so the suspension was "loaded" like it was sitting on the ground. im my mind this kep the pinin angles the same from one shaft to the next. so no adjustments were needed. this seemed to work perfectly for me. Yes it was somewhat costly. but, I like it. and i did feel some difference. nothing like a gear change as mentioned above. it also one less place to fail. its all one piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNTchris Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 You don't "have to" install the lower. I will when I get the chance. I've felt the wheel hop under extreme accel (isn't that why we SC?) You definitely need adjustable upper arm. Check under full-throttle and I went with + 1.5 deg (If I remember correctly) If you just cruise and show car, no heavy boosting etc, two points: No suspension change needed Why SC car? I supercharged my car for two reasons....1. I wanted to! 2. Because I could! Thanks guys for your help! I wanted this newly installed HP to find its way to the pavement without destroying my car and to enjoy every single horse power! Thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT3477 Posted January 12, 2013 Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 ".1. I wanted to! 2. Because I could!" I'm sure these are the most common reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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