quote:Originally posted by Joules5: Spicer halfshafts were big when oem u-joints were an exhorbitant price, making the spicers a cheaper option than new u-joints. The oem halfshafts are rated for something like 700 HP and perfectly good for almost all but racing applications, making spicers an uneccesary upgrade IMO.
I totally agree Julian. There's nothing wrong with spicers but there's nothing wrong with the stockers either. Just have a look at the two side by side and you can see the stockers actually have favorable geometry for strength. In fact, some time ago, Dennis Quella told me that the Hill Climb guys there in Colorado had used the stock Pantera half shafts with great success for decades. Proper U-joints are now readily available for stockers and that was really the only issue.
quote:In fact for anyone considering upgrading I'd recommend going to more modern CV axles.
Yes, and I am going that route, but I must admit it's more of a luxury than necessity, but dont think the conversion is going to save you a bunch of unsprung weight. -In most cases it won't. You may however pick up a percentage point or two improvement in getting your flywheel horsepower to the ground as they are more efficient than U-joints and at constant velocity, a better preformance and track option for cornering traction. -Pretty tough to argue you need that on a street machine. But hey, the lines are often blurred between need and want for me when it comes to my Pantera. The other thing to remember is CVs maintain (near) constant angular velocity through their usable deflection range whereas u-joints suffer as angular displacement increases through your suspension. Pantera's are pretty tame as far initial angular deflection and don't have much travel at all compared to off road vehicles so there is less to be gained is this respect.
quote:Sacoperformance is selling a CV axle upgrade for $1195 probably not much more than you have to pay for the old technology spicer halfshafts.
That's not bad compared to what it would cost to spec the components yourself depending upon how you valued the cost of the adapters. I must say, I'm not a fan of the adapters. Just adds more weight and is a another set of critcally stressed fasteners and potential point of failure in your drive train. The real dough comes from sourcing proper CV stub axles for the ZF and companion flanges for the Pantera Rear uprights. I must advise however, even this approach wont save you appreciable unsprung weight. As an incidental benefit it may gain you a little more tail pipe clearance due to the smaller diameter axle.
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That site also has the rear uluminum uprights listed but "out of stock". I believe Ken Green was involved with the development. They are nicely done and use a modern packaged cartridge bearing and hub assembly. I was never able to confirm the total weight of this set up with Ken but the those packaged assemblies aren't especially light either but are convenient for replacement. I'd like to know the total weight. The stock rear Pantera upright weighs 14 lbs bare. You can save 6-8 lbs by re-engineering this piece with lighter materials and using stock components at the potential expense of some toughness and durability. I doubt you get that much out with the uprights and axles shown at that site, but I'd like to corrected if that is not the case. That CV package was originally conceived to go along with the upright package which at that time was being considered to be offered at $3300k. However, you still needed to address, hats, rotors, and rear calipers and mounts before you were done.
In for a penny in for a pound (sterling that is
)Best,
Kelly