Carbon fiber drive shaft?

[cotmfk]

Does anyone make these for Audis? Specifically B7 S4?

This would be a great mod for less drivetrain loss, weight savings which means increased fuel economy, better acceleration and handling, etc.

I searched around for it, but couldn't find anyone that makes this.

[cotmfk]

I guess not... any shops interested in developing this? If not, I guess I will just go to my old shop and have them make it. :)

[Tugboatguy]

If you get one made, do a write-up on it!If you build it, they will buy it

[onemoremile]

The 97 A4 came with a carbon fiber driveshaft. The later B5 A4s had traditional ones. The carbon wasn't lighter.

[andyrew]

There are better lightweight driveshafts out there than carbon fiber... Not on the market but you should be able to find someone who can make you up an aluminum one. Biggest issue is your cost is doubled because the driveshaft is 2 piece, and the weight loss is cut in half..

[panix73]

Checkout this thread. Looks like Sniper512 had one made by a company named ACPT for his B5 S4. He says it ran him about $1,100. As also note, apparently carbon fiber driveshafts came stock on a few early gen B5 A4's. Although this does not apply for your B7 S4, we can still look at it for comparisons sake. From what people are saying, it was not only heavier than the stock driveshaft, but we must ask ourselves if this new cf driveshaft will even be able to endure the same abuse and power that your car will put it through. If the driveshaft was in fact lighter than the OEM shaft, then we could see benefits, but the question of durability will come into play. It may be beneficial on a track car where the car isn't launched as much as someone who is drag racing their car and putting stain on the shaft during hard launches.

I'm not saying that carbon fiber driveshafts are necessarily a bad investment, although you should consider not only your current standpoint with the car for such an investment but will this cost justify the end result that you are seeking? IMO, probably not. IMO, $1,100 could be better spent on a light weight flywheel and light weight pulleys before jumping into a cf driveshaft.

Link to Sniper512's CF Driveshaft Thread:
ACPT Carbon Driveshaft Installed

[panix73]

Related threads with carbon fiber driveshaft discussions and peoples experiences running them on other chassis's:

A S4 on a diet and an R32 on a Diet
I dont buy the carbon fiber safety issue...
stock CF driveshaft is over 4" diameter and not just a single layer wrap...