[Red-key]

I have a 2019 Cat and have a D.I.R.S differential brace from performance development. I’ve been racing the car in stock form with 17” MT street Rs with dozens of passes with the stock drive shaft and have been fine. I know this topic has been beaten to death and I understand. I’ve done my research and twisted drive shafts have happened especially on track from what I heard on here and have been recommended to upgrade. Maybe it was recommended on the earlier model cars like the 15 and 16s and my stock drive shaft has been beefed up since then since it's a 2019?

I’m looking to do some basic mods and add another 100 RWHP or so and figure maybe it was a good idea to upgrade the driveshaft for preventative maintenance plus recently being out of warranty. I asked a couple of shops that specialize in the Mopar platform and they said I don’t need to upgrade the driveshaft. One owner mentioned he’s making over 900 rwhp and still has the stock drive shaft with tons of passes and no issues while another fellow at the other shop is making similar if not more power and still has the stock drive shaft.

I did find it odd being told I didn’t have to upgrade the DS as you hear about upgrading it as a must but if it’s not absolutely necessary well then it saves me money. If it is and you guys definitely recommend it, then let me know and I’ll put on a CCI driveshaft and be done with it for peace of mind I guess.

 

[Speedy]

The newer models supposedly have an improved drive shaft. Probably all get what the Demon/Redeye have if I had to guess. Someone good with parts can confirm/deny. They're pretty good units. If there's a way to put a brace on the drive shaft so that if it breaks/pretzels it doesn't destroy the underside of the car I'd run it.

If there ISN'T a way to put a brace on it, and I've not found one myself, then I'd put an upgraded one in. For the $1000-1200 they cost it seems like cheap insurance to me vs thousands in body damage if the stock one lets go. I have a DSS 4" aluminum on my 2016 and it has over 100 passes on it running 9s at about 140 mph.

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

You do have what I call The "Best Peace of Mind" D.I.R.S. Brace installed and that helps a lot. Because when the Diff breaks the Halfshaft and or Driveshaft can be taken along with it.
If a Driveshaft does twist up it can damage the underside.

Go with your gut because it seems like you get to the track a pretty good amount of time. Order up a Drive shaft and have it installed when it ships in. Keep the old one for the Just in Case factor.

Linda

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

The newer models supposedly have an improved drive shaft. Probably all get what the Demon/Redeye have if I had to guess. Someone good with parts can confirm/deny. They're pretty good units. If there's a way to put a brace on the drive shaft so that if it breaks/pretzels it doesn't destroy the underside of the car I'd run it.

If there ISN'T a way to put a brace on it, and I've not found one myself, then I'd put an upgraded one in. For the $1000-1200 they cost it seems like cheap insurance to me vs thousands in body damage if the stock one lets go. I have a DSS 4" aluminum on my 2016 and it has over 100 passes on it running 9s at about 140 mph.

I absolutely agree. I spoke to Fran Rehak directly @ The Driveshaft shop. ( He is retired now) and he told me that the Carbon Fiber is actually stronger than the AL because there is a coating on it too.
Also when John and I first both broke our DS's. No Brace back then and the track was too cold, most likely under 50 degrees. There were 2 other cars that were not Hellcats.

Anyway John @Top Cat his Challenger had a CF DS the Diff broke but the CF shredded out in many pcs. Me, I had the AL the Diff broke, the DS broke lots of under damage and the half shaft went too.

 

[Red-key]

Appreciate the responses. Seems like the consensus is to upgrade the driveshaft and so I will.

 

[ddivinia]

Speaking of diff brace. New demon owner here. Which one should I install?

need a driveshaft also?

D.

 

[Speedy]

Speaking of diff brace. New demon owner here. Which one should I install?

need a driveshaft also?

D.

Per4mance Development DIRS hands down.

 

[baabootoo]

So even with ET Street R's and a stock 2015 HC Charger? I saw an older vid last night where the guy was afraid to hammer it off the line with DR's for fear of breaking it.

 

[Speedy]

2015 and 2016 have the weakest of all years on drive shaft. I replaced mine immediately.

 

[baabootoo]

DAMN! Thanks.

 

[Unholy707]

I’d check to see if the part number if different for the Redeye from your car for stock driveshaft (I believe it is). I put a Redeye one in mind, no one’s broken one yet.

 

[Red-key]

I’d check to see if the part number if different for the Redeye from your car for stock driveshaft (I believe it is). I put a Redeye one in mind, no one’s broken one yet.

Good point you brought up. I'll check the part number for my drive shaft to see if it's the same as the Redeye and if it's the same then maybe I won't bother upgrading since no Redeye has had issues with their driveshaft like you mentioned.

I think I'd prefer the Redeye or even Demon driveshaft (not sure if their similar) 🤔.

A 2 piece driveshaft will always be better than the aftermarket one piece for no vibration.

If my 2019 regular Hellcat doesn't come with the same driveshaft as the Redeye do you mind sharing with me where you got your Redeye driveshaft and what the cost was?

 

[Unholy707]

Good point you brought up. I'll check the part number for my drive shaft to see if it's the same as the Redeye and if it's the same then maybe I won't bother upgrading since no Redeye has had issues with their driveshaft like you mentioned.

I think I'd prefer the Redeye or even Demon driveshaft (not sure if their similar) 🤔.

A 2 piece driveshaft will always be better than the aftermarket one piece for no vibration.

If my 2019 regular Hellcat doesn't come with the same driveshaft as the Redeye do you mind sharing with me where you got your Redeye driveshaft and what the cost was?

I got it off someone who went carbon fiber (sponsored car). You can google the price, around $1200 new. Redeye is the same as the demon one

 

[Red-key]

I’d check to see if the part number if different for the Redeye from your car for stock driveshaft (I believe it is). I put a Redeye one in mind, no one’s broken one yet.

I spoke with the parts department as for checking in with them to see if the part number on my stock driveshaft is the same as the Redeye driveshaft when I gave them the vin for both cars and yes it is different.

They also told me if I were to get a Redeye driveshaft that it might not be a correct fitment and may be more to it. Since you have the Redeye driveshaft, I'm assuming you had no fitment issues with it and it fit fine?

No additional modifications needed to fit the Redeye drive shaft on your Hellcat?

 

[Unholy707]

I spoke with the parts department as for checking in with them to see if the part number on my stock driveshaft is the same as the Redeye driveshaft when I gave them the vin for both cars and yes it is different.

They also told me if I were to get a Redeye driveshaft that it might not be a correct fitment and may be more to it. Since you have the Redeye driveshaft, I'm assuming you had no fitment issues with it and it fit fine?

No additional modifications needed to fit the Redeye drive shaft on your Hellcat?

They don’t know what they’re talking about, it bolts right on. Never ask parts / the dealer for part fitment advice. That’s why they ask for your vin. They’re clueless.

 

[Unholy707]

I have a 2015, btw.

 

[Unholy707]

I also use Redeye fuel rails because they’re a better design. The fuel sensor isn’t in the cross over line anymore, so it can be replaced without replacing the entire rail, and it’s on a T on the passenger rail now, like a bypass - so no more fuel restriction caused by the sensor. Has a shrader valve as well so that you can drain the fuel.

 

[HemiMetal]

Check this out as a possible alternative to replacing the driveshaft. I've been looking into it myself.

Driveshaft Carrier Upgrade - LD Facelift Dodge Charger/Challenger/Chrysler 300 — JXB Performance

Replace your worn or torn center support bearing carrier without removing it from the driveshaft or removing the driveshaft from the car. Performance driveshaft (propshaft) carrier upgrade keeps your driveshaft perfectly aligned, reduces drivetrain slop, and doesn't sag or wear out over time. 2-pi

www.jxbperformance.com

 

[Red-key]

I have a 2015, btw.

I know the 2015/2016s were notorious for twisting driveshafts but mine is a 2019 and I'm not exactly sure if it has a stronger driveshaft or if it's all the same since 2015.

I'd really like to bump the power on this car atleast another 100WHP or so with some basic mods and track it. I was contemplating back and forth if I should upgrade the driveshaft or not since two mopar performance shops mentioned I don't need to and they each have a Hellcat making over 900 whp with the stock driveshaft and no issues. I was surprised they still have the stock driveshaft and seemed confident tracking the car especially with that much power but heh...

. I have dozens of passes at the track with the stock driveshaft with a D.I.R.S diff brace with stock power and have had no issues so I really duno.

I also called both CCI driveline and livernois today and they mentioned they don't have anymore CCI driveshafts which is a bummer. Plus it didn't exactly seem like they knew if they were getting anymore of those driveshafts.

So the only other driveshaft I would upgrade to would be the Redeye's. That's if I absolutely know I need too or if not. Might be a stupid question but forgive me...Is there a way to know or the right person perhaps to ask if a 2019 Hellcat driveshaft really needs to be upgraded?

I don't think I've heard of newer model cars twisting them but of course it's always cheap insurance as mentioned.

 

[Red-key]

Check this out as a possible alternative to replacing the driveshaft. I've been looking into it myself.

Driveshaft Carrier Upgrade - LD Facelift Dodge Charger/Challenger/Chrysler 300 — JXB Performance

Replace your worn or torn center support bearing carrier without removing it from the driveshaft or removing the driveshaft from the car. Performance driveshaft (propshaft) carrier upgrade keeps your driveshaft perfectly aligned, reduces drivetrain slop, and doesn't sag or wear out over time. 2-pi

www.jxbperformance.com

Hmm interesting thank you for sharing, I think I'll look into this as well. It's obviously a lot cheaper than investing in a new driveshaft. I wonder if anyone else has this and has provided feedback.