wcw5023

Hey guys, new to the forum here. Been lurking for quite sometime while acquiring components for my build. I will do an intro post shortly describing my planned build ( cookie cutter dont get too excited lol )

Anyhow, came here hoping to find some answers to a few questions I have. I am working with V8R as well.

For my "build" I am planning on fabricating as many components myself as I can, including rear diff mount. The design is so simple, I cannot justify spending the money on the mount itself.

My hope was to purchase V8R / DSS axles and a driveshaft, and mock-up the mounts using them as reference. This is to avoid needing "custom" (if you want to call it that) axles/driveshafts.

1. Stage 1 V8R axles are splined for miata hubs, I am aware of the issues that plague OE rear miata hubs, however there seem to be no failure on aftermarket replacement hubs. Is the limiting factor in torque capacity the axles themselves or in the stock hub design?

2. Everybody and their mothers seem to run the Stage 2 kit. This nets you the "upgraded" rear hubs, are the upgraded hubs splined differently? And is there really $500 of addes value here?

I dont want to give anyone the impression that I am trying to cheap out on debatably the most important components of the driveline, however this is what I would consider a budget build and I am trying to optimize my spending the best I can.

Thanks for the input guys!

acedeuce802

I've been wondering this as well. Has anyone actually broken a Stage 1 kit? Does the fact that it's rated to 400 ft-lbs mean that it's a high failure rate at 400 ft-lbs, or that you're safe at 400 ft-lbs and anything over that increases failure rate? Will the Stage 1 kit be too weak for a ~400 whp cammed LS1, without any drag racing (so no hard launches)?

Being frugal is much different than being cheap. Nothing wrong with trying to save $500!

wcw5023

Glad im not the only one! If we dont find an answer here I will likely be the one to give the "Stage 1" axles a try, and test/exceed the limits of them eventually.

I think a phone call to The Driveshaft Shop is in my near future

papabear

Depends on if your trying to refresh parts when you build. A set of new Miata hubs runs about 300 for the pair. So the upgraded ones are only slightly more expensive. And unless your car is a track car you may never again replace them. In my opinion a mildly warmed over LS1 would not be a issue for Miata hubs. You have to think of the tire size limitations on the Miata as sort of a fuse in the system. I am of the opinion on a street tire you would overwhelm the tires traction before you would break hard parts. But that's not a fact based observation. Everyone has there acceptable level of risk. Just keep in mind that if later you want the upgraded hubs it's a complete replacement of the half shafts also. You can't just get upgraded hubs and swap them in.

wcw5023

Great input thanks! However, one consideration I made, is that if someone did want to incur minimum costs at the "time of build" with the possibility of upgrading at a later time. I am SURE you would have no problem unloading "Stage 1" plug-and-play axles here on the forum for close to what you paid for them!

wcw5023

So I made a phonecall to The Driveshaft Shop; and they were extremely nice and helpful, and confirmed my direction with this project.

So this thread has some helpful information in it for everyone else:

- You are not saving any money by using specs for the V8R kit axles and driveshaft, one-off axles will run you about the same price.

- The 400lb.ft plug-and-play DSS axles for use in stock miata hubs = ~$799

- 650lb.ft rated axles with upgraded hubs = ~$1299

- 900lb.ft rated axles and upgraded hubs = ~$1899