QA1, well known and respected for building high quality shocks, bearings and suspension parts is proud to introduce its newest line of drivetrain components – introducing carbon fiber driveshafts for street vehicles. Carbon fiber is well known for its strength and light weight, which helps reduce rotating mass; sending more power to the tires, while at the same time, provide a more solid foundation and additional safety that we come to expect from our race cars.
Official Release:
QA1 Introduces Street Performance Carbon Fiber Driveshafts
Lakeville, MN – QA1 is proud to introduce its line of carbon fiber driveshafts for street performance vehicles. Available for GM and Ford applications, these driveshafts are lighter, stiffer, stronger and safer than aluminum and steel driveshafts.
Currently, QA1’s street performance driveshafts are designed for street use only and are offered in a 3.2” diameter with a variety of lengths and slip yoke options to fit the most popular Ford and GM applications. Driveshafts for drag racing and higher horse powered vehicles are also in development. Because every vehicle is different based on driveline, engine and other upgrades, QA1 is also able to design application-specific driveshafts in their Lakeville, Minnesota facility.
“Being able to control how the carbon fiber is made is critical,” said Travis Gorsuch, QA1’s Director of Advanced Materials. “We are able to make our products specifically for each application. Instead of just cutting a premade tube to length, we are able to customize the length, wall thickness and weave pattern of our driveshafts to meet each application’s specific needs.”
QA1 specially winds the driveshafts with 3MTM Matrix Resin that is exclusive to QA1 driveshafts. 3MTM Matrix Resin uses spherical nano scale silica that provides improved abrasion resistance and longevity, higher compressive strength and minimal water absorption for increased torque capacity and longevity. This resin is what gives a QA1 driveshaft its distinctive blue tint.
Ensuring a better balance and minimal material waste, QA1 utilizes forged yokes that are precision CNC machined and are specially developed for QA1’s 11 step bonding procedure. The driveshafts also feature 1310 conversion U-joints that are high strength alloy and provide durability and high torque capacity for maximum strength. These U-Joints offer a max rating of 500 horsepower/500 foot-pound of torque for these street performance driveshafts. Additional options are currently in development.
QA1 carbon fiber driveshafts undergo rigorous testing during and after production to ensure consistent quality. Harmonic testing is done to determine the natural frequency of the driveshaft and a modal analysis is performed to ensure the composite driveshaft meets the applications’ requirements for noise, vibration and harshness. They are precision balanced for smooth, vibration-free operation which extends the universal joint life.
For more information, visit www.QA1.net or contact QA1 at 1.800.721.7761.
Features:
- Safer and stronger than aluminum or steel
- fully customizable driveshafts
- exclusive 3M Matrix Resin
- forged yokes
- available for most popular applications
Ted is a long-time GM aficionado who loves anything related to cars. Located smack-dab in the middle of Texas, his WS6 fits right in! Fast cars, writing and his family are his passions in life.
