If anyone was ever really serious about an IRS for the s197 here it is...
#1
If anyone was ever really serious about an IRS for the s197 here it is...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts...1%7C240%3A1318
Found this on ebay and figured I had to share it with everyone. If money were no object this looks like it would be a killer setup to finally have a s197 with independent rear suspension.
Found this on ebay and figured I had to share it with everyone. If money were no object this looks like it would be a killer setup to finally have a s197 with independent rear suspension.
#5
I just remembered this other S197 IRS setup http://mustangirs.com/catalog/produc...products_id=29
Again pretty expensive.
Again pretty expensive.
#7
IRS stands for Independent Rear Suspension. Our cars have a Solid Rear or Beam Axle which is OK for the quarter mile but not for real roads or race tracks. Here is an article on IRS to start you off - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indepen...ear_suspension
Here is an article about how the S197 platform evovled from a platform that had IRS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_D2C_platform
If you are interested in learning more a good inexpensive book to start with is How To Make Your Car Handle by Fred Puhn http://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Your-.../dp/0912656468
Last edited by Sleeper_08; 01-29-2009 at 02:55 PM. Reason: Learning to spell properly
#8
#10
It's still a stick axle, and the devil is in the details.
What must be kept in mind is that "having IRS" is not a magic bullet that solves all ride and handling issues simply by its being there. In many cases, a well done stick axle can be driven to beat an otherwise identical car that's equipped with only a so-so IRS. A badly done IRS driven hard could scare you silly, or worse.
A stick axle tends to be more predictable up close to the limit. Do not underestimate this - if you're not comfortable with what happens up there you won't drive up there. Independent means more than just independent bump travel, the two rear tires can also vary their cambers and toes somewhat independently of each other as well. You will feel that going on under some conditions.
Yes, an IRS can be designed to do a better overall job than a stick axle, just that it's a fussier and more difficult job to bring it to that level.
Norm
What must be kept in mind is that "having IRS" is not a magic bullet that solves all ride and handling issues simply by its being there. In many cases, a well done stick axle can be driven to beat an otherwise identical car that's equipped with only a so-so IRS. A badly done IRS driven hard could scare you silly, or worse.
A stick axle tends to be more predictable up close to the limit. Do not underestimate this - if you're not comfortable with what happens up there you won't drive up there. Independent means more than just independent bump travel, the two rear tires can also vary their cambers and toes somewhat independently of each other as well. You will feel that going on under some conditions.
Yes, an IRS can be designed to do a better overall job than a stick axle, just that it's a fussier and more difficult job to bring it to that level.
Norm
Last edited by Norm Peterson; 01-29-2009 at 04:16 PM.