When golfers compare the TaylorMade Stealth 2 and SIM 2 drivers, most of the conversation centres on the heads — carbon face vs. titanium face, forgiveness ratings, adjustability. But sitting inside those heads are two very different shafts, and those shafts are doing as much work as any other component in the club.
The Stealth 2 ships with the Mitsubishi Kai’li Red, while the SIM 2 comes stock with the Mitsubishi Tensei AV RAW Blue. Same manufacturer, completely different performance profiles.
If you’ve ever swapped heads between shafts and been surprised by how differently the club performed, you already know that shaft choice is often the bigger variable. This guide breaks down both stock shafts in full — their specs, their feel, their launch and spin profiles, and which type of golfer each one is designed for.
Table of Contents
Stock Shaft Overview: What TaylorMade Chose and Why
TaylorMade doesn’t select stock shafts randomly. Each shaft is chosen to complement the head’s performance characteristics and target player profile.
The SIM 2 was built as a distance-first, high-MOI driver targeting mid-handicappers and golfers who want maximum forgiveness. The Tensei AV RAW Blue was a natural pairing — a stable, mid-launch, mid-spin shaft that keeps the ball flight controlled and consistent, especially for players with an aggressive transition.
The Stealth 2 came in as a more sophisticated, lower-spinning design with the carbon twist face. TaylorMade paired it with the Kai’li Red — a high-launch, mid-spin shaft with a softer tip and low torque — to help the Stealth 2 generate enough spin and height to appeal to a broader range of golfers, while the carbon face handled the ball speed side of the equation.
Understanding that pairing logic helps explain why swapping shafts between these two heads can produce such different results.
Shaft Specifications Compared
| Specification | Mitsubishi Kai’li Red 60 (Stealth 2) | Mitsubishi Tensei AV RAW Blue 60 (SIM 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | High | Mid |
| Spin | Mid | Mid-Low |
| Kick Point | Low | Mid-Low |
| Weight (Stiff) | 66g | 65g |
| Torque (Stiff) | 4.2° | 3.9° |
| Tip O.D. | 0.335″ | 0.335″ |
| Butt O.D. | 0.636″ | 0.626″ |
| Feel Profile | Active, smooth, powerful | Stable, controlled, firm |
| Best For | Moderate-to-fast swing speeds wanting height and distance | Aggressive transitions, players wanting control and a flatter ball flight |
Both shafts are Mitsubishi products, which means they share the same build quality, construction materials, and engineering discipline. But they are fundamentally different shafts designed for different swing types.
The Mitsubishi Kai’li Red: Stealth 2’s Stock Shaft in Detail
According to Mitsubishi’s official Kai’li Red product page, the Kai’li Red is the final addition to the Kai’li family — completing a range that also includes the White (low launch, low spin) and the Blue (mid launch, mid spin). The Red is the highest-launching and highest-spinning of the three, built specifically for golfers who need more height and more carry without giving up stability.
What makes the Kai’li Red different:
- Softest tip flex of the entire Kai’li family — this is what generates the higher launch and spin
- Low kick point — the energy release happens lower in the shaft, encouraging the head to close and the face to lift through impact
- Low torque despite the active profile — most high-launch shafts sacrifice torque stability, but the Kai’li Red uses MR70 aerospace-grade carbon and Super Low Resin Content prepreg to maintain impressive torsional control
- Higher balance point than the Blue or White — this shifts the feel and helps transfer speed efficiently from the grip end down through impact
In Plugged In Golf’s Kai’li Red shaft review, tester Matt Saternus noted outstanding ball speed with the shaft, consistently approaching a 1.5 smash factor. He described the kick as stopping short of the club head, with very limited torque or twist in the tip — a characteristic that helps keep the shot pattern controlled even with the shaft’s more active profile.
Feel: The Kai’li Red feels explosive and powerful through the swing. There’s a noticeable kick in the mid-section that gives players the sensation of the shaft loading and releasing — which for moderate-to-fast swingers translates to added distance without unpredictability.
Flex availability (stock Stealth 2): Regular, Stiff, X-Stiff. The stiff version weighs 66 grams with 4.2° of torque.
The Mitsubishi Tensei AV RAW Blue: SIM 2’s Stock Shaft in Detail
The Tensei AV RAW Blue is a very different animal. As described by Plugged In Golf’s Tensei AV RAW Blue review, it has the stiffest butt section and the softest tip of the Tensei family — but those differences are relatively small.
The defining characteristic is in the middle: the mid-section is substantially softer and smoother than the Tensei Orange or White, making it the most active Tensei profile while never feeling out of control.
What makes the Tensei AV RAW Blue different:
- Aluminum Vapor Coated Weave visible in the raw-finished butt section — this isn’t just cosmetic. The AV coating adds stability and reduces ovaling of the shaft under load, which tightens the shot pattern
- Mid-Low launch, Mid-Low spin profile — designed to keep the ball flight penetrating rather than ballooning, particularly useful for golfers with high spin numbers
- Smoother mid-section feel — the Blue is the most “active” of the Tensei AV RAW range, but in a controlled, workable way
- Counter-balanced design — the weighting characteristics help players with aggressive transitions find the correct release timing rather than flipping the face
According to the Mitsubishi product description, the Tensei AV RAW Blue is best for players who want a mid-launching ball flight with a feeling of greater stability and control throughout the swing. That positioning aligns exactly with what the SIM 2 driver was designed to deliver.
Feel: Firm, stable, and controlled with a smooth bend through the mid-section. It doesn’t feel explosive like the Kai’li Red — it feels like a shaft that’s holding the driver in a lane and powering through impact rather than kicking through it.
Flex availability (stock SIM 2): Regular, Stiff, X-Stiff. The stiff version weighs approximately 65 grams with 3.9° of torque.
Launch and Spin: The Practical Performance Difference
This is where the comparison gets genuinely useful for decision-making.
The Kai’li Red generates higher launch and more spin than the Tensei AV RAW Blue. That’s not a flaw — it’s a feature for the right golfer. Players who struggle to get the ball airborne, who tend to hit a low, penetrating shot that rolls rather than carries, or who need more apex height to hold greens on approach will benefit from the Kai’li Red’s profile.
The Tensei AV RAW Blue generates lower spin and a more penetrating mid-launch trajectory. For players who already produce high spin numbers, or whose natural shot shape is a high, floaty ball that loses distance in the wind, the Tensei Blue brings the flight down into a more efficient window.
In real-world community testing on MyGolfSpy’s forum, one golfer tested both heads on a GC3 launch monitor with identical shafts and found the Stealth 2 producing 600–700 RPM more spin than the SIM 2 head. However, this was with the same aftermarket shaft, suggesting the spin differential is more about the heads than the stock shafts — an important nuance that reinforces why getting fit with the correct shaft for each head matters significantly.
Feel and Sound at Impact: A Real Difference
Feel is subjective, but the difference between these two shafts is consistent enough in reported feedback to be worth naming clearly.
The Kai’li Red delivers a lively, powerful sensation at impact. The energy transfer feels active — like the shaft is contributing to the shot rather than just connecting the grip to the head. Players describe it as “explosive” and “punchy.”
The Tensei AV RAW Blue delivers a firmer, more muted sensation. Several GolfWRX community members who tested both noted the Stealth Plus (which shares the Kai’li Red profile) felt like a “dead thud” compared to the SIM 2 — a contrast that likely reflects the combination of the carbon face and the shaft’s feel rather than the shaft alone, but it’s a recurring comment worth noting.
If feel matters to you — and for many golfers it shapes confidence and commitment — the Tensei AV RAW Blue has the more traditional, solid contact sensation, while the Kai’li Red is livelier and more energetic.
Adapter Compatibility: Can You Swap Shafts Between Heads?
This is a practical question many golfers ask, particularly those who own one of these drivers and are considering a shaft upgrade or head swap.
Both the SIM 2 and Stealth 2 use TaylorMade’s standard adapter sleeve — meaning shafts built for either driver are interchangeable between the two heads. According to a detailed GolfWRX club tech thread on TaylorMade adapter compatibility, the SIM series and Stealth/Stealth 2 series all use the same adapter, which also extends to earlier M-series models.
This makes shaft testing significantly more affordable and accessible — you can move a Ventus, Speeder, or HZRDUS between these heads without needing a new adapter each time.
Both shafts have a 0.335″ tip diameter, which is the standard tip size for modern TaylorMade drivers. If you’re considering upgrading to an aftermarket shaft, any 0.335″ tip shaft will fit either head with the appropriate TaylorMade adapter.
Who Should Play Each Shaft?
The Kai’li Red (Stealth 2 stock) suits you if:
- Your ball flight tends to run low and flat with limited carry
- You want more launch and height without giving up torsional control
- Your swing speed is in the 85–105 mph range and you want distance from efficient launch rather than raw speed alone
- You prefer a lively, energetic feel that gives you clear feedback about the shaft loading and releasing
The Tensei AV RAW Blue (SIM 2 stock) suits you if:
- You already produce high spin and need to bring your ball flight down and forward
- You have an aggressive, quick transition and want a shaft that stays in control through impact
- You want a firm, stable feel with a penetrating, workable trajectory
- Your priority is tighter dispersion and shot-to-shot consistency over maximum launch height
The honest nuance: Many golfers will outperform their stock shaft with something fitted specifically to their swing. Both the Kai’li Red and Tensei AV RAW Blue are genuinely good shafts — well above average for stock equipment — but they’re designed for different profiles. If you’ve bought one of these drivers and the performance hasn’t matched your expectations, consider whether the shaft’s launch and spin profile matches what your swing actually produces, not just what the head promises on paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put the Tensei AV RAW Blue from a SIM 2 into a Stealth 2 head?
Yes — both drivers use the same TaylorMade adapter sleeve, so the shafts are fully interchangeable between heads with no modification needed.
Which shaft is better for slower swing speeds?
The Kai’li Red in a 50-gram or lighter version is better suited to swing speeds below 90 mph, thanks to its higher launch profile and more accessible weight options. The Tensei AV RAW Blue is better matched to 90 mph and above where its spin-control characteristics become more beneficial.
Does the carbon face on the Stealth 2 change how the shaft performs?
Indirectly, yes. The carbon face produces a slightly different energy transfer at impact compared to titanium, which can affect perceived feel and spin numbers. However, the shaft’s own performance profile remains consistent regardless of the face material.
Is the Kai’li Red a high-torque shaft?
No — despite its high-launch, active profile, the Kai’li Red maintains impressively low torque comparable to its White and Blue siblings. This is one of its standout characteristics and what makes it work for a wider range of swing types than most high-launch shafts.
Should I upgrade from the stock shaft?
Both shafts are well above average for OEM stock equipment. If you’re hitting the driver well, there’s no urgency to upgrade. If your numbers on a launch monitor show a mismatch between your ball flight and your optimal window, a proper shaft fitting will produce better results than guessing at aftermarket options.
Final Verdict
The Kai’li Red and the Tensei AV RAW Blue are two very capable shafts that solve different problems for different golfers. The Kai’li Red, stock in the Stealth 2, is built to add height and carry for golfers who need more air under the ball — without sacrificing the torque stability that accuracy demands. The Tensei AV RAW Blue, stock in the SIM 2, is built to control spin, tighten shot patterns, and deliver a firm, stable feel for players who hit the ball too high or produce too much spin.
Neither is universally better. The right shaft is the one that matches your swing speed, your transition, your natural spin rate, and your preferred ball flight. If you’re unsure which applies to you, a single session with a launch monitor will tell you more than any spec sheet — and with TaylorMade’s shared adapter system, testing both in your head of choice has never been easier.
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