S5 Tool Steel for Driveshafts

Cost? GM used plastic for a while in some pickups.

Cost. and cost.

Could the brittleness be an issue?

I'm not sure if S5 is more notch sensitive or brittle compared to 4340.

Among the reasons the driveshafts aren't made of a stronger material , I believe, it is designed to be the weakest point in the driveline. If the driveshaft didn't yield, something else more expensive to replace would have to give.

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This is interesting. Are you talking from experience or is this something you heard from somewhere? I can see a u-joint or a rod-end being made the most weakest point in the driveline but not really the shafts themselves. I would like more elaboration on this concept.

look up cost

the u joint usually fails first.

The ZR-1 doesnt use a steel driveshaft. 4340 is used in forged crankshafts. look in the summit racing or jeggs catalog,performance driveshafts are alluminum. think about it this way in your car you drive to work. if the shaft or the u joint failed would you rather have steel or alluminum trying to harpoon you threw the floor. pastic or carbin fiber is sounding better and better.

What about the flexible driveshaft from the old Tempests with the rear transmission?