[dcook_14]

I've got an IRS out of a 2003 Cobra, and I was wondering if you guys think I should swap out my SRA for the IRS. I'm more into autocross and twisties, but I will drag it about twice a month in the summer.

I'm worried about setting it up more for twisties and then having problems with wheel hop when I drag it, and snapping a halfshaft or breaking a diff cover.

I wouldn't have to worry about wheel hop with the SRA, but I also want to upgrade to a 31 spline carrier, strong axles, and steeper gears. The IRS has all of those already.

I've already got some solid opinions from 2v guys, but I want opinions from the 4v guys as well.

Fire away!

[acidtonic]

Depends really, I kinda want an IRS for mine but I have brand new upper and lower poly arms that I need to install on my SRA.

I'll say keep the solid if you really built it right. If you dont and aren't going right for a power adder then the IRS will be fine. If you have gobs of cash you can also build the IRS to be very nice but it will still be slightly heavier and quite expensive.

[cobraetti]

you will love the IRS, all other 2 valves will be envious (mach 1's as well). I would recommend the poly/delrin bushing upgrade and you may still get a fair share of wheel hop.

but as far a day to day/ autocross driving you will be pleased

[CammedMysticCobra]

If you going to be doing road course events defetnely go with the IRS its a no brainer

[Imran]

well you already got info from 2v'ers but anyone will tell you that the 99-04 SRA is better for drag racing, and when equipped with a panhard bar and torque arm that replaces the upper control arms to make it a true 3 link suspension, will dominate the IRS any day of the week in the twisties.

However, the 3 link is not the most ideal choice for drag racing.

[dcook_14]

Originally Posted by cobraetti you will love the IRS, all other 2 valves will be envious (mach 1's as well). I would recommend the poly/delrin bushing upgrade and you may still get a fair share of wheel hop. but as far a day to day/ autocross driving you will be pleased

I'm not going to have a 2v You think I'll still get a lot of wheel hop with the poly/delrin bushings? That's not good, because with a fair share of drag racing I'm pretty sure I'd snap half shafts

Originally Posted by acidtonic Depends really, I kinda want an IRS for mine but I have brand new upper and lower poly arms that I need to install on my SRA. I'll say keep the solid if you really built it right. If you dont and aren't going right for a power adder then the IRS will be fine. If you have gobs of cash you can also build the IRS to be very nice but it will still be slightly heavier and quite expensive.

Well I have a blower now, but I'm swapping over to a blown 4v so it's gonna have a good bit of power from the git-go. Sounds like I'd have to build the IRS quite a bit to handle decent power levels, and like you said that gets really spendy. Not to mention replacing stuff along the way as it breaks...

Originally Posted by CammedMysticCobra If you going to be doing road course events defetnely go with the IRS its a no brainer

Yeah... it'd be an easy if I was just road coursing it. As explained in the first post I'm also going to be dragging it probably 12-15 times a year so that's why I asked.

Originally Posted by Jakashh well you already got info from 2v'ers but anyone will tell you that the 99-04 SRA is better for drag racing, and when equipped with a panhard bar and torque arm that replaces the upper control arms to make it a true 3 link suspension, will dominate the IRS any day of the week in the twisties. However, the 3 link is not the most ideal choice for drag racing.

Thanks for the reinforcement Jakashh, I think I might just go with the three link. Take the 31 spline carrier out of the IRS, get some forged axles, steeper gears, a panhard bar and a torque arm. That way I don't have to worry about half shafts breaking, boots leaking, and diff covers blowing out.

Over on SVTP you just get railed if you say negative things about the IRS and advocate for an SRA. Thanks for the unbiased opinions guys!

[GTermi]

depends on what u are going to do more. u can still do twisties with a SRA, though it wouldnt be near as good. if u go to the track more i would just keep the SRA, thats just my opinion though

[dcook_14]

Originally Posted by GTermi depends on what u are going to do more. u can still do twisties with a SRA, though it wouldnt be near as good. if u go to the track more i would just keep the SRA, thats just my opinion though

Well I can sell the IRS and build my SRA, or I can swap in the SRA with upgraded bushings. Both these routes are going to cost the same, so I'm going to go with a built SRA over a basically stock IRS. I think the built SRA will handle the twisties better, and it will definitely handle the dragging better.

[drazga97]

IRS

they should have put SRA 8.8 33 splines in the termis

[Imran]

Originally Posted by drazga97 IRS they should have put SRA 8.8 33 splines in the termis

psshhhht, they just did it so motor trend, car and driver, and automobile could SHUT THE FUCK UP about the "Outdated SRA" that is now dominating the other car's IRS in all their muscle car comparo's.

[dcook_14]

Everyone makes a huge deal that IRS is in every performance car porsches, lambos, ferrari, blah blah blah. If a built SRA is good enough for Jazzer, it's good enough for me

[dcook_14]

Originally Posted by drazga97 IRS they should have put SRA 8.8 33 splines in the termis

Hahaha, people over on SVTP get all pissy when you say bad stuff about the IRS.

From what I've gathered the built IRS and built 3 link SRA are going to perform about the same on the twisties, except the IRS can handle dips and bumps better and the ride of the IRS is a little better. But it's a muscle car, not a Lexus. I don't want to be scared to go to the strip, so I'll stick with the SRA and throw in coilovers if I want a better ride.

[cobraetti]

Originally Posted by dcook_14 Hahaha, people over on SVTP get all pissy when you say bad stuff about the IRS. From what I've gathered the built IRS and built 3 link SRA are going to perform about the same on the twisties, except the IRS can handle dips and bumps better and the ride of the IRS is a little better. But it's a muscle car, not a Lexus. I don't want to be scared to go to the strip, so I'll stick with the SRA and throw in coilovers if I want a better ride.

ohhhhh well

[SWEET2KSTANG]

not sure about griggs, but the MM panard set up wont handle the amount of torque that is capable from a built ride. i almost bought a 3 link set up for mine, but it just wont be capable to handle what i am doing to my car. a WL would be another option as well.

[Diabeetus]

A properly built SRA will out handle the IRS on a road course. IRS is a little more cushy on the street but as you said its a muscle car, not a lexus so screw it. IRS is very expensive to upgrade and a real bitch to fix. People that say IRS will dominate SRA should take a look at the cars running NASA and American Iron and count how many mustangs have IRS. Build the SRA right the first time, use good stuff and you wont be disapointed on the road course, or the drag strip.

[SWEET2KSTANG]

nascar also uses long arm suspension as well.

[drazga97]

Originally Posted by Jakashh psshhhht, they just did it so motor trend, car and driver, and automobile could SHUT THE FUCK UP about the "Outdated SRA" that is now dominating the other car's IRS in all their muscle car comparo's.

magazines are worthless id bet alot of people on here know more about cars than the people who work for the magazines. the 1/4 mile times in the magazines wtf? in most muscle cars they run them half a second slower than the car is actually capable of. they should be doing multiple runs not one or two. either way they should have put a good rear in the termis the IRS is nice when your cruising but id take an SRA over it anyday.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by Jakashh However, the 3 link is not the most ideal choice for drag racing.

Why do you say that?

Only reason I can figure is that most torque arms aren't rated for the amount of torque a built engine can produce.

The geometry though, is much better for acceleration than a 4 link... well, at least a stock 4-link. Start mucking with control arm attachment points and lengths, and you should be able to get pretty dialed in (and change for track conditions).

------

If you do go IRS, make sure to get aftermarket bushings for where the IRS subframe attaches to the chassis. From what I understand, most of the problems people experience with the IRS are due to the subframe being able to squirm, throwing off all of the rear geometry..

[acidtonic]

They should have just made two options, solid 8.8 or IRS.

Obviously the car has two wildly different uses some which like IRS some which like SRA.

With lots of things being packages that shouldnt, why cant an obvious functional difference without a good compromise be a package too?

[dcook_14]

I'm getting absolutely railed on SVTP for not wanting to go to IRS I'll post the link in a bit