1000HP+ UPGRADE CARDAN SHAFT TOYOTA SUPRA MK5 A90 A91
reliably handle 1,000HP+ in the Toyota Supra MK5 (A90/A91), upgrading the factory two-piece cardan shaft (driveshaft) to a heavy-duty one-piece unit is essential. The OEM shaft features a center support bearing and rubber guibos that are prone to failure, twisting, or “whipping” under the high torque loads of a built B58 engine.
Top 1000HP+ Driveshaft Options
| Manufacturer | Material | HP Rating | Weight Change | Key Feature |
| The Driveshaft Shop (DSS) | Carbon Fiber | 1,000HP | ~50% Lighter | Uses a 1-piece CV design; standard in most high-HP builds. |
| Vargas (VTT) / PST | Carbon Fiber | 1,000HP+ | Significant reduction | 3.25″ tubing with Spicer 1350 U-joints and 7075 aluminum adapters. |
| Twisted Tuning | Chromoly or Aluminum | Up to 2,000HP | Varies by spec | Available in 3.5″ or 4.0″ diameters for extreme drag racing applications. |
| East Coast Driveline | Aluminum / Carbon | 1,000HP+ | -15 to -20 lbs | Features Billet Flange Yokes and 1350 Solid Performance U-Joints. |
Critical Supporting Upgrades for 1,000HP
Simply swapping the shaft is often not enough to prevent catastrophic driveline failure at these power levels. You should also consider:
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Billet Driveshaft Adapters: If your chosen shaft uses a universal 1350 U-joint, you will need billet aluminum adapters (like those from Autosports Engineering) to convert the BMW 3-bolt pattern to a standard 4-bolt Spicer flange.
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Safety Loop: Companies like Titan Motorsports offer a driveshaft safety loop. This is a crucial safety item for track use; if a shaft snaps at 150+ mph, the loop prevents it from vaulting the car or puncturing the floorboard/fuel tank.
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Upgraded Axles: The factory rear axles are often the first “fuse” to blow. Upgrading to DSS 1000HP Axles with 300M steel bars and billet internals is highly recommended alongside the driveshaft.
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Solid/Poly Guibos: The factory rubber “guibo” (flex disc) will shred under 1,000HP. Look for solid aluminum or high-durometer polyurethane replacements, though these will increase NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) in the cabin.
Installation & Clearance Notes
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Heat Shielding: Large-diameter 3.5″ or 4″ aluminum shafts may require slight “massaging” (tapping) of the transmission tunnel heat shields to prevent rubbing.
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Transmission Tuning: At 1,000HP, the ZF 8HP51 transmission requires a Stage 2 or 3 build (e.g., Jacks Transmissions) with upgraded clutch packs and a billet E-hub to handle the torque that the new driveshaft will provide.
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