IRS from S550 Mustangs for a Cobra ?

[Tom Wells]

Have you looked at the latest Factory 5? They use the latestMustang IRS.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

Have you looked at the latest Factory 5? They use the latestMustang IRS.

Don't they modify them pretty extensively? I know they used to do that with the old T-bird IRS units they used. They had their own control arms, spindles, and axles.

[PaulProe]

When you say they have a S550 rear-end, that is typically referring to the differential and the uprights. Ford Performance sells both into the replica market for that specific reason.

I know that Hurricane and Factory Five both use those components. Was unaware Backdraft has gone that direction also but doesn't surprise me. They used to use a BMW system but Ford is readily available.

With that said, all take a different set of control arms and half shafts. No way to use the Ford stuff, it's too wide.

Same applied to the older T-Bird units. Differential and uprights were standard Ford components. Control arms and half-shafts were special.

[kitcarbp]

Thanks for this discussion. Yes Ive seen some cars retrofitted with custom control arms to make it fit their desired track width while using the S550 center section. What makes a retrofit of a Ford IRS to my West Coast Cobra so curious is that my axle width from axle flange to flange is about 63”. Yep 63. Thats because the West Coast replicas are wider and longer than originals and the rear hips on these cars are huge. It allows 12 inch wide wheels and 13 inches of tire tread on the asphalt. A whole lotta “Rosie”.
But I digress. The WCC uses a rear axle assembly from a full size ford 73-79 car.
One post I found on line ( not confirmed) for modern Ford IRS systems for flange to flange dimensions
Were:
S550 Mustang = 65 inches
Crown Vic = 65.6 inches
Ford Elplorer = 58.6 inches

My research continues.
Thx