[bobcowan]

I have built and driven both solid axle and IRS. The IRS is so superior, I would never consider building another car like this with a solid axle.

Some people say the Jag rear performs better than the Ford. I don't know if that's really true or not. But the Ford is considerably cheaper, and much easier to buy parts for.

A sway bar will tie the two sides of the suspension together, in an attempt to balance one side against the other. The down side of that is if you tie them together, they're no long Independent.

For an IRS, the handeling should be managed primarily by by the springs and shocks. The sway bar (if there is one) is used for fine tuning of the car only. Like for a specific load or track.

I have a small sway bar on mine, but I only use it on the track. On the street I disconnect it. Same thing in the front.