has anyone ever used an independent read suspension setup on their classics? i was flipping through mustangs unlimited looking through their suspension options and noticed they offer a complete IRS setup. i mean it has a pretty hefty pricetag on it, but i suppose if youre into autocross or something it isnt a bad idea at all.

just wondering if anyone in here has used them.

 

I just happen to know a thing or two about this subject. I am in the process of putting a Jaguar IRS unit in my 64.5 pony. IRS is a good idea in a Mustang, even Ford looked in to it, they designed a unit for the first generation Mustang as a way to bolster sails, built 5 units for testing and then scrapped it because sales were good enough with out it and it was cheeper to scrap it. I have written 3 web pages on the subject and am working on the forth.

http://home.bresnan.net/%7Edazed/JaguarIRS1.html
http://home.bresnan.net/%7Edazed/JaguarIRS2.html
http://home.bresnan.net/%7Edazed/JaguarIRS3.html

 

My ultimate [money is no object] dream is to put an IRS in my '67 Mustang.

 

I had kinda tossed around the idea of IRS also because I love tight cornering. Daze, how much did your rearends cost you from that guy? If you don't mind.

Nevermind, i just found on your web page where you put the prices.

 

i know a buddy who put a complete irs setup in his 6 fastback, and he liked it. but then he tired a dirffrent setup which he made it all custom. what he did was he made his own brackets and put some koni coil overs and i think maybe a wats links and made it like a 3 link suspension setup and he loved it ans said it was better than the irs. talk to griggs also because they say that they can get a solid rear end to handle better than a irs thats who ive been talking to about my suspension and what i want to do.

 

Something like a 3 link can handle as well as an IRS in some cases, but IRS usually has the handling edge. 3 link or 4 link, or a well set up leaf spring suspension even can have better forward traction for drag racing than IRS. IRS rides better than all of them. It depends on what you want and what you're willing to do to get there.

 

A straight axle with a 3 link and watts link will out handle a irs only thing a irs is good for now is smoother ride and the whoa factor.http://mustangirs.com/ thats the one daze is talking about and theres http://www.dvsrestorations.com/irs.html heres that Control Freak one mustangunlimited sells being installed http://www.mustangandfords.com/techa...all/index.html

 

For comparison, the new S197 Mustang platform uses a 3 link. Not only do those cars with stock suspension pull some impressive 60' times on street tires when drag racing, but the ones raced in Grand Am even with their solid rear axle are often more than a match for many of the Porsches and Ferraris.

 

One of the benefits of the IRS is that the suspension sides can act independently. Bumps that effect one tire will have little effect on
the other tire unlike solid axles. Other than drag racing, I would always expect a properly setup IRS to outperform a properly
set up solid axle.

Jav

 

That one wheel lifting loses traction also gives you body roll too.For something to compare the kit cars from factory five the ac cobra and daytona coupe both out handle the real ones reason being the real ones use a jag irs set up the kit cars are a triangulated 4 bar just like a fox body mustang.Like i have said before irs is only good at a smooth ride ask any real road racer none of them use a irs for a reason.Heres something to read http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...uspension1.htm and http://www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible.html and and http://www.carbibles.com/steering_bible.html