tbird sc suspension?
02-26-2012, 12:22 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 22
tbird sc suspension?
I have a supercoupe I will be parting out slowly but surely. I'm going to keep the crank and the sc and intercooler. but my question are the sc arc shocks capable of being mounted on the mustang or is it impossible? also can the 02 live axle be swapped for the 03-04 cobra irs? be gentle I'm a noob lmao
02-26-2012, 01:07 PM
#2
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South FL
Posts: 8,540
If you are keeping the blower - you'll need to keep the heads as well. They are different than the heads on your 2002 and it won't work.
IIRC, the shocks/struts are different on the TBird vs the Stang.
The 03/04 Cobra IRS will swap to the 02... but unless someone is giving it to you, it's usually cheaper to modify the solid axle and get the same results. That's coming from someone who looked long and hard at doing the swap.
IIRC, the shocks/struts are different on the TBird vs the Stang.
The 03/04 Cobra IRS will swap to the 02... but unless someone is giving it to you, it's usually cheaper to modify the solid axle and get the same results. That's coming from someone who looked long and hard at doing the swap.
02-26-2012, 01:53 PM
#3
4th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 1,925
Well, howdy fellow Texas super coupe owner. You aren't the guy in grand prairie that has the white one with porno red interior are you?
The shocks can't be used on the Mustang platform. They can be used on the Mark VIII platform though.
The shocks can't be used on the Mustang platform. They can be used on the Mark VIII platform though.
02-26-2012, 04:49 PM
#4
Welcome to MF.
Matt is right, you have to keep the heads too because they are single port heads. If you are worried about your stock ones then take a look at SSM's heads.
As for the IRS, yes it is very expensive to get ahold of the coveted 03/04 Cobra IRS but the 01' is usually cheaper and the 28 spline 99' is usually as cheap as a GT rear if not cheaper.
Strength wise, the 99' IRS is the weakest with 28 spline axles and a less beefed up subframe. This also has 3.27 gears factory.
The 2001' gets better with 31 spline axles, still 3.27 gears and a slightly stronger subframe.
The 2003 - 2004 Are of course the strongest with beefed up 31 spline axles, a brace, a stronger IRS subframe, better diff, 3.55 gears and bilstein shocks.
From what I have seen here are some prices to expect.
Prices in quotations are the most I would spend.
Expect the low end of the price spectrum to need bushings.
1999 IRS: $350-750 ($450)
2001 IRS: $500-900 ($600)
03/04 IRS: $800-1600 ($900)
We shopped long and hard for an IRS for Aprils 96' and my 01', we came by two of them, a 99' and an 01'. We sold both because the bushings were 100% shot on both and we didnt want to replace all the bushings at that time. To some people that might not matter because they might want to get Bruces complete FTBR kit or go with MM's kit (Bruce FTW by the way.)
We almost bought at least 20 others but because of price or bushings we never jumped on any others.
We ended up using the live axles from a 2001 GT that we parted out, but getting that rear end was like being paid to take it after the part out was done.
The car was a new beast with posi and its new 3.27 gears (2.73's in the old pumpkin) so in many cases if price or skills keeps you from swapping rear ends then I suggest upgrading your own rear end and leave it a 7.5".
Matt is right, you have to keep the heads too because they are single port heads. If you are worried about your stock ones then take a look at SSM's heads.
As for the IRS, yes it is very expensive to get ahold of the coveted 03/04 Cobra IRS but the 01' is usually cheaper and the 28 spline 99' is usually as cheap as a GT rear if not cheaper.
Strength wise, the 99' IRS is the weakest with 28 spline axles and a less beefed up subframe. This also has 3.27 gears factory.
The 2001' gets better with 31 spline axles, still 3.27 gears and a slightly stronger subframe.
The 2003 - 2004 Are of course the strongest with beefed up 31 spline axles, a brace, a stronger IRS subframe, better diff, 3.55 gears and bilstein shocks.
From what I have seen here are some prices to expect.
Prices in quotations are the most I would spend.
Expect the low end of the price spectrum to need bushings.
1999 IRS: $350-750 ($450)
2001 IRS: $500-900 ($600)
03/04 IRS: $800-1600 ($900)
We shopped long and hard for an IRS for Aprils 96' and my 01', we came by two of them, a 99' and an 01'. We sold both because the bushings were 100% shot on both and we didnt want to replace all the bushings at that time. To some people that might not matter because they might want to get Bruces complete FTBR kit or go with MM's kit (Bruce FTW by the way.)
We almost bought at least 20 others but because of price or bushings we never jumped on any others.
We ended up using the live axles from a 2001 GT that we parted out, but getting that rear end was like being paid to take it after the part out was done.
The car was a new beast with posi and its new 3.27 gears (2.73's in the old pumpkin) so in many cases if price or skills keeps you from swapping rear ends then I suggest upgrading your own rear end and leave it a 7.5".
Last edited by NeoTokyo; 02-26-2012 at 04:51 PM.
02-27-2012, 02:39 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 22
lol no i have the only black one in about 40-50 miles. i wish mine was red though. my plan was to find a red interior for her cause i wanted her to be red and black and have special stripping on the side that said evil edition. the heads are not going to be swapped i was going to get the adapter plate and run it off of that. that way i wont lose the power from leaving the split port. and that is something to think about though id still rather have the 8.8 irs. the suspension is way smoother and feels like it handles the power way better driving a mustang is quite a bit different from the supercoupe and it makes me a lil nervous cause the rear feels really touchy. even though she is stock she can get squirly on me.
02-28-2012, 03:24 AM
#8
4th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 1,925
Yeah that. All depends on which motor the SC has, but the 1st get 89-93 makes 215HP and 315ftlbs of torque and the 2nd gen 94-95 makes 230HP/330. That being said, I am selling mine because I despise that damned 3.8L.
05-30-2012, 04:42 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 22
so does anyone know if I can run the sc irs with a hub swap to cobra on the cobra irs suspension? I know its complicated to hear but I do know the 03-04 cobra hubs can be swapped to give the sc and other tbirds a larger rim option. but is it reversable for the mustang. I already know the irs subframe ia already needed. I have the 8.8 pumpkin from a sc I just would like to know what I would need to finish the build ie control arms springs shocks, and what-not.