Irs?

diiulio · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2005, 05:15 PM

Are you guys considering having this as an option? If so, what diff, half shafts, etc. would you be using? Strong enough to run FE power?

marps · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 08:24 AM

diiulio,
We do have an IRS option in development. We have one on the road and another is being delivered later this month. We are waiting to make an official announcement on the IRS until we get a little more feedback. We expect to formally have the option available later in the month. The IRS will have a Ford 8.8 center section with custom axles. The one car on the road with the IRS has a 427 side oiler with 500+ HP. He had the car on the track last weekend and there were no problems with the IRS holding up. Feel free to call if you have any other questions.

grumpy · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 09:03 AM

dijulio,
The local auto repair shops charge quiet a bit more on the maintainence side, that's the only high dollar side to an IRS.
grumpy

diiulio · #4 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 09:56 AM

The maintenance would just be the half shafts, u-joints, and what about the upper and lower A-arm bushings? Is this cost of maintenance that high or that periodic if you're not racing?

Now, how much better handling is the IRS vs. Solid rear? Is it extremely better, moderately better, barely? The only two cobras I have driven were both IRS, Unique and Everett Morrison.

marps · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2005, 01:10 PM

diiulio,
We are still road testing the IRS for our kit and are still forming comparisons to the 3 link rear suspension in our base kit. I think you will find the maintenance of the IRS parts to be fairly minimal. We are using OEM parts for most of the wear items so they should have fairly good life spans and should be readily available when they do need to be replaced. Hope this helps.

diiulio · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2005, 01:18 PM

Alright, drop a line when you get a comparison complete.

Retro · #7 (**permalink**) 06-17-2005, 11:15 AM

Mike,

If you offer the IRS option, will it include the complete rear-end with axles or will the builder have to obtain some of the parts from another supplier? BTW - You have a great looking kit and it's at the top of my list. Hope to be building one in the next twelve months.

Jay

Dinobyte · #8 (**permalink**) 07-11-2005, 11:14 PM

Any more word on the IRS option?

dlampe · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 05:39 AM

I have the new IRS in my car and it is a work of art!

ChrisL · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 08:13 AM

I should have my Car with the IRS in it in just a few weeks and will give a report when it arrives.

diiulio · #11 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 09:57 AM

ChrisL-
Looking forward to a review of how the IRS is. Curious, you have purchased a Hurricane recently, but also just sold off a incomplete Midstates kit, would you care to expand on this? I am curious if you felt the Midstates wasn't worth finishing, Hurricane was that much better, or...?
Thanks,
Jason

ChrisL · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2005, 10:23 AM

The main reason for this is IMO ,Yes, I do feel that the Hurricane is that much better of a kit. Not to say that MS is a bad kit at all.I just wanted a kit closer to original . So I sold off the MS .

speed220mph · #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2005, 01:49 PM

diiulio: Handling should not be the over-riding factor when deciding on going with an IRS or bouncing axle . . . in a Cobra. Contrary to most opinions, there's not much difference between the handling of one versus the other unless you're on a rough road. So other than originality, you have the high u-joint angles to deal with when using a solid axle. And because the axle takes up a lot of room, trunk space is compromised. Finally, ride is considerably better with an IRS providing the correct springs are used. Also consider cost and weight. Both are higher with an IRS. Bottom line is if ride is important, go with an IRS assembly out of a T-Bird or Cougar. If the overiding factor is cost, go with a solid axle. There's my $2.00/100 worth.

dlampe · #14 (**permalink**) 07-13-2005, 03:44 PM

I think you make a great point. The 9 inch 3 link system is great! They use all the best parts right down to the hiem joints. The real issue for me is more ego related. ( I know this sounds petty but...)It seems that one of the questions I used to get by some Cobra owners who thought they where just a little better than everyone else was " well, do you have an IRS?" Now I can raise my can of Keystone Light and say "yes sir I do, didn't you see it when I passed you coming out of turn one?"

speed220mph · #15 (**permalink**) 07-13-2005, 05:27 PM

Other than the reasons I stated, three-link solid-axle suspensions work great . . . providing the geometry is done correctly. I've used them in a lot of race cars. Four-links, too. The only thing you have to watch is u-joint angle. This means stiffening the rear spring so wheel travel is limited. Going over bumps is no picnic.

dlampe · #16 (**permalink**) 07-13-2005, 06:29 PM

If you run an IRS, do you also need to run a rear swaybar? I have heard that if I want to control this car on the track I will need to put a bar on the back. Is there a difference between an IRS and a solid axle with regard to the use of a swaybar?