IRS Swap

[Lubracano]

I'm thinking about swapping out my live axle for a cobra IRS - any thoughts?

[wickedcobra]

Why do you want to do it? If you are drag racing I say leave it.

[Lubracano]

I just want better handling, I want to start track racing, and I figured that IRS was the way to go.

[wickedcobra]

For track racing it would handle much better then. It would be a good idea, Im sure there may be someone on here that would swap you out.

[silver03cobra]

If you have all good parts I got a boat anchor. I MEAN IRS.

[Lubracano]

everything is in good shape - what would I need to get it all in? and why is it considered a boot anchor? Would you want to just trade straight across?

[BurnTire]

everything is in good shape - what would I need to get it all in? and why is it considered a boot anchor? Would you want to just trade straight across?

Boat Ancor. LOL
Because it is heavy.

[Lubracano]

oh ok.. I figured there was more to it than that

[wickedcobra]

IF you swap out with him you will really need nothing. You guys will exchange everything you need. He may only need new brake brackets.

[Lubracano]

That would be sweet - then I could do it at work (my GT is currently my daily driver) I have an Bassani exhaust, will that still fit?

[wickedcobra]

You guys would have to swap

Rear ends (both IRS brackets)
ABS sensors
pinion flange
exhaust (cat back)
springs
all bolts etc..

that should cover it.....

[Lubracano]

sounds good to me!

[wickedcobra]

is the rear end stock?

[Lubracano]

yes, it is bone stock - I was looking at some 3.90 gears for it, but wanted to look into the IRS thing before I bought any parts

[wickedcobra]

Its an easy swap, the IRS is out in like 2hrs doing it on jack stands. Good luck with the swap. I swapped out my IRS for a solid and love it.

[Lubracano]

Thanks! Hopefully Silver03cobra goes for it!

[wickedcobra]

If not there may be someone else. Only problem is your rear is bone stock. I assume whoever takes it plans on drag racing so they will need to upgrade some things now or at least eventually. would make it easy though to swap and upgrade later.

[silver03cobra]

I am not going to go for it. It would be a down grade for me.
also might sell the car.... for something smaller. :)

[Lubracano]

Cool - thanks anyway

[Lubracano]

In lieu of the IRS swap how does everyone feel about the steeda 5-link 2?

[chewbaccajones]

I've never driven a car with the steeda 5 link but I put the MM 3 link on a 97. It does away with the upper control arms and adds a torque arm and panhard bar. I have always been a corner carver and with that setup, I could get on it hard a lot earlier in the corner than ever. It was an amazing setup. The rear stuck from a dig a lot better too.

[bluepony]

While the Steeda 5-link is an improvement over the stock 4-link I don't believe its the ideal solution, and its expensive. The torque arm / panhard bar system by either Maximum Motorsports or Griggs are both track and street proven systems. With a TA/PHB there is almost zero bind in the rear, so no more snap oversteer issues. The forward bite is significantly improved, and the rear roll center is lowered to around the bottom of the pumpkin.

The IRS is lightyears ahead of the four-link in handling and ride quality. But, it is not the ideal track solution. I've been messing around with my IRS for two years, and short of wider/stickyer tires there is no way to improve corner exit grip. So if you do an IRS plan on running 315's on the rear. There is one significant advantage of the IRS, rough roads and track curbs. The ability of one wheel to take bumps without upsetting the opposite tire increases cornering grip substantially over the best stick axle system.

[chewbaccajones]

^^ How do you like the Griggs setup on the front?

[93mustank]

I have a friend with a 99 cobra that would be down to swap. Whats the rear end from? gears?

[bluepony]

^^ How do you like the Griggs setup on the front?

I've had the setup for almost a year and the car still brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.

http://www.highperformancestangs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3245&highlight=griggs
http://www.highperformancestangs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3156&highlight=griggs

The only things I can add to this is that the confidence this setup inspires in a corner is phenonmenal, and the slalom performance is astounding. In my little 75' slalom I picked up 15 mph over where I was before.

[Phx99Cobra]

I am the above referenced friend that would like to swap. It is a stock 1999 Cobra IRS. If interested let me know.

[Lubracano]

PM sent to 99 Cobra - Bluepony, is yours a GT?

[Lubracano]

never mind I read your comment on the bottom. Awesome car!

[bluepony]

never mind I read your comment on the bottom. Awesome car!

Thank you. It's gonna be for sale in about 2 years when I buy one of these: www.gr40.com

[Lubracano]

Those cars are sick! Its a shame I dont make the gangster cash to buy one!

[Lubracano]

Bluepony - given the chance to do it all over, would you stick with the live axle?

[bluepony]

Bluepony - given the chance to do it all over, would you stick with the live axle?

Yes, I'd do a Griggs or MM TA setup.

[Lubracano]

thanks for the input - Its starting to seem like I should just improve my 8.8 inch:woot1: