Neapco® Launches Industry’s First Fully Matched, Aftermarket Carbon Fiber Driveshaft System
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.—Neapco®, a U.S.-based manufacturer of original equipment (OE) and aftermarket driveline products and systems since 1921, recently launched the industry’s first carbon fiber aftermarket driveline system manufactured as a matched system using OEM design disciplines. The Neapco Performance Series carbon fiber driveshaft system facilitates the exact matching of all driveshaft components to yield the most capable system and user confidence.
The Neapco Performance Series carbon fiber driveshafts and components are available with the company’s proprietary TrakHook™ Technology, which allows for selectable rates of absorption of torque spikes, a common cause of drivetrain damage and ultimately failure. Applying advanced fiber winding engineering, matching component technology, and the industry’s most advanced equipment, Neapco offers carbon fiber driveshafts with industry-first, builder-selectable compliance rates to fine-tune chassis dynamics for enhanced vehicle performance.
The Neapco Performance Series driveshaft system is designed to optimize performance in the street rod, track, diesel tuner, off-road enthusiast, performance ATV/UTV, and commercial markets by offering an almost infinite range of composite driveshaft variations to be fabricated.
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“Carbon fiber driveshafts are not just stronger and lighter than comparable traditional steel or aluminum driveshafts, they can also handle significantly higher rotational speed and vastly more torque,” said Phil Cushman, President of Neapco’s aftermarket business. “They also allow a higher-capacity driveline to be built in a tighter package environment, creating opportunities to solve the most challenging application demands. And, our TrakHook Technology allows race teams to fine tune their driveshaft for optimal hook into the track by simply swapping shafts to match chassis setups, track conditions, weather changes, and driver feel preferences.”
The Neapco Performance Series carbon fiber driveshaft system is offered exclusively through its partnered Neapco Performance Series Carbon Fiber Driveshaft Specialists. Options include tube diameters from 2 inches to 5 inches, lengths up to 108 inches, and wall thicknesses of 0.125 inch or 0.155 inch.
TrakHook Technology offers four variations of wind:
• Stiff – Best for tracks that have optimum/ideal track preparation, or when the driver wants to increase the ease of breaking traction.
• Standard – For normal tracks, designed as the go-to solution.
• Flex – For poorly prepped tracks, or ideal street conditions. This wind increases the protection of powertrains on rough or irregular surfaces when operating under high loads.
• Super-flex – For regular to poor street prep conditions. This wind allows extreme compliance and protection when drivers need to handle high-shift loading, such as competition rock climbing and hard launching.
A variety of Neapco Performance Series end connections are available to be bonded to the tubes, including specially designed u-joint yokes, splined stub yokes, and splined sleeves.
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All bonded components are Neapco engineered and manufactured in the company’s Beatrice, Nebraska aftermarket headquarters. Composite Drivelines LLC, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, engineered the composite tubing to Neapco performance specifications. Each component is engineered, optimized and validated through proprietary finite element analysis (FEA) and extensive physical testing of components and assemblies. The driveshafts are assembled with a proprietary bonding technology protected by multiple patent-pending innovations. Components, processes, and systems are validated in Neapco’s state-of-the-art test facility and aftermarket test engineering labs in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and Beatrice, Nebraska.
The Neapco Performance Series carbon fiber driveshaft system end connection methods have been developed using proven technologies and state-of-the-art engineering that combine composite material engineering, advanced manufacturing techniques, adhesive development and bonding interface development to deliver stronger and lighter components that can resist extreme loads. Neapco has validated the construction processes in-house, with third-party corroboration.
For more information, visit the Neapco website at: www.Neapco.com/Aftermarket.
Neapco, founded as the New England Auto Products Corporation, has been serving the OEM and aftermarket driveline markets since 1921. In 2021, the Company will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Named as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine and placing on the Crain’s Fast 50 list, Neapco designs, manufactures and distributes OEM and related aftermarket driveline products for automotive, commercial vehicle, off-highway and other specialized applications across the globe. Neapco’s highly respected products are developed and produced by a diverse team of more than 3,000 employees located in five countries. Neapco’s headquarters are in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Further information about Neapco is available at neapco.com.
