So I've started to look at the rest of my car that is stock and the only drivetrain component are the axles. I havent read much about these having issues or breaking so I'm not too concerned but if I hit the strip with some slicks I feel fairly confident I could break one. If these are solid even with drag racing, great, but if not what are some options without changing out the entire rear end?

 

I have broken 3 axles at the drag strip. I finally figured out that as my car got lighter, it got taller resulting in a more aggressive axle angle than normal. Every axle I broke was between the cv joints.

I was able to lower the car, and it corrected the problem so far. However, axles are known to break under high horsepower conditions on slicks.

I had a set of axles made from a now non existant company, so you should be able to have an axle company build you a set if you find you are breaking them. I would look into the ones that build axles for front wheel drive drag racing applications.

 

Good info, thanks. Are there no companies that activly make miata axles though?

 

I have not looked for a while. I doubt it.

 

I'm sure driveshaftshop has something or can help develop something.

RX7 axle's havent failed me yet. But i don't launch hard on slicks either so...

 

We didn't need them on Matt Andrews' car in the 2-3 years I helped maintain it and I seriously doubt you'll put more drama through your car than we did.

 

Fail to see how AXLES are breaking with a <200hp motor, but okay, I'll play.

http://www.bossfrog.biz/Miata_V8_Swap.html
http://www.bossfrog.biz/Differential_Swap.html

Buy the Boss Frog Kit #3 which is a Differential Subframe to bolt in a Ford IRS 8.8 from 90-97 Thunderturd (they're ALL OVER the place) $500.00
Buy the Boss Frog Kit #4 which are axles that'll fit your stock hubs and are capable of handling 400hp $650.00
Buy a Ford 8.8 Differential $???.?? (Have seen them with limited slips for little as $100 before)
Then buy the Kit #1 from second link which is a stock five-speed transmission crossmember $325.00

Something tells me whatever differential you've got is going to fail long before a set of axles in good condition do..

 

This is a good option but I think for close to a G I'll see how my torsen with REM treared 3.63 holds up. If the diff blows I'll get an OS Giken. I doubt I could get an OS Giken on a ford rear end too. If the axles break, I'll get some carbon ones made to match the driveshaft. Ha, jk, I'll figure something out I guess. I'm sure I can get a few shops to make some for me, worst case. My first gear will be so weak I'm not even sure if I can put a huge load back there anyway.

 

I’m finding CV joints are a weak link wear item in a 350+ hp track car. The Inner ones get pretty sloppy after a while and I find the ***** make huge divots in the outer cup part. Once you have several degrees of angular slop in the inner CV you start getting impact loading in your drive train and the damage accelerates and starts tearing up other parts.

I suspect the Tripod type Inner CV’s that come on Mazdaspeeds are significantly stronger and better.

Bob

 

So when/if torsen/axles break/slop upgrade to s2000 OS Giken and get mazdaspeed axles? This the true winning setup?

 

Your torsen will go long before your axles. I wouldn't even bother going to the strip until you get that replaced with something better. Save the torsen so you can sell it to recoup some money. The OSG is $$$$$$$$$, you can swap in a RX7 clutch diff for pennies and set it up however you want.

DSS will make you whatever axles you want. Jtothawhat on here had contacted them and IIRC he said they were not that expensive.

 

This.

Sell that torsen and axles for what they're worth and you've recouped a significant portion of what that 8.8 swap would cost for a near bulletproof rear that'd allow you drag slicks and hard launches.

 

Drag racing with a manual transmission is about as hard on axles and rear ends as it gets.

 

This has not been my experiance but it is a wear issue on the inner CV's with High torque output on the track. The CV's fail long befor issues with the torson occur for me. I have an OS Giken in now.

Bob

 

I've had zero issues with my TII axles.

 

how much torque?

I should mention Im around 320 ft-lbs at the rear wheels with the 2.0L.

 

My post was intended for drag racing, hence "strip". OP is asking about weak components for drag racing.

Edit: I'm a little upset that OP asked these questions beforehand. I was looking forward to him retard launching at the strip and then posting, "OMG WtF did breaks?!?!!?"

 

Should be a bit more then that, and all seen in an instant. Its also on 235/60 MT Drag radials.

 

Just a bit more than you. He has an LS1 V8.

 

Ah, Gods motor.. lol