[Diabeetus]

Since we're on the subject of swapping a solid axle inplace of the IRS, I just wanted to see what people said about how the handling changes. Aside from my Cobra, the only other stang Ive really driven is my Gt drag car and it doesnt really count. The Cobra is my daily driver, but in the future I wanna throw about 700hp at it but dont wanna tear up the IRS. CanI still keep the IRS, or should I make the solid swap? I just wanna know how differently it handles from the guys who have done the swap. Thanks.

[C MY 4D]

It depends on what suspension you put in the rear. After my solid axle swap with H&R race springs and bistein HDs in the rear the car felt good in a turn again. The original IRS feels a little spooky when you start really cutting corners. I felt that with my straight axle it felt planted and much more predictable.

[ReverendDexter]

If you want to swap and handle, just make sure to NOT got to the stock 4-link setup. Do a griggs or maximum torque arm, a steeda 5-link, or a evolution motorsports tri-link, but do NOT go to the stock setup!

From what I've heard, the straight-axle with one of the above torque-arm setups actually handles *better* than the stock IRS setup, as it's designed with much better geometry. The only thing you'll lose is some ride quality.

[C MY 4D]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter If you want to swap and handle, just make sure to NOT got to the stock 4-link setup. Do a griggs or maximum torque arm, a steeda 5-link, or a evolution motorsports tri-link, but do NOT go to the stock setup! From what I've heard, the straight-axle with one of the above torque-arm setups actually handles *better* than the stock IRS setup, as it's designed with much better geometry. The only thing you'll lose is some ride quality.

time for all the IRS is the best guys to come in

[killerSVTcobra]

i used steeda sport springs, and steeda steel upper/lower control arms and a sway bar off a 89 gt, and cheap $18 dollar monroe shocks...i like the way it rides and handles better than the irs. it is more predictable.

[Diabeetus]

Ya ya know come to think of it when Im in a corner goin relatively fast, say 65 and up, and I hit a bump the car likes to step out a bit. Kinda gets a little squirly. And lets face it, Vegas is not known for awesome winding roads so Its not like Im gonna miss it by goin to a solid axle. But I must say that when Im on smooth asphalt the car does handle quite nicely. And on a financial note, Im about to spend around 600 bucks fora gear swap, when Ive seen complete solid rears with 4.10s for like 800 bucks. Hmmmm...things to ponder.

[Diabeetus]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter If you want to swap and handle, just make sure to NOT got to the stock 4-link setup. Do a griggs or maximum torque arm, a steeda 5-link, or a evolution motorsports tri-link, but do NOT go to the stock setup! From what I've heard, the straight-axle with one of the above torque-arm setups actually handles *better* than the stock IRS setup, as it's designed with much better geometry. The only thing you'll lose is some ride quality.

Hey I looked at that 5 link setup from Steeda and it looks pretty bitchin. Think Im gonna give this solid axle swap some more thought. If I can have a great handling car yet still take it to the drag strip and nail some awseom launches then thats the ticket for me. Plus, to do all I want to the IRS its gonna cost a small fortune. Thanks for the tips guys.

[AzSonicSnake]

your going to give up some of the soft cushy road manners, but imo, the gains are so much more worth it. and if your planning to have 700rwhp on tap, the confindence you gain with an sra is so worth it.

[Diabeetus]

Originally Posted by AzSonicSnake your going to give up some of the soft cushy road manners, but imo, the gains are so much more worth it. and if your planning to have 700rwhp on tap, the confindence you gain with an sra is so worth it.

Ya thats what Im thinkin. The sra setup is a lot stronger, has less moving parts, and can be done up for a lot less money. Think Im gonna gear my plans towards the SRA setup. I wanna be able to go to the drag strip and have it plant the rear for the launch, rip it apart.

[killerSVTcobra]

i would save the 600 bucks or whatever it was gonna cost you for the gear swap and put that towrds the solid axle...look at road race cars..most of them are solid axle....when i went from my 98 cobra to a 04 cobra i honestly didnt like the 04 handled because i was so used to the solid axle...thats most of the reason why i swaped...no point in fixing something you dont like

[Diabeetus]

My friend keeps tellin my to keep the IRS but I keep tellin him that even hard core road race cars use a solid. I have Sean Hyland's High Perf Builders Guide and its pretty much my bible. It just seems that the solid rears are way easier to beef up and modify than the IRS. Hell, axles for the IRS are somethin like 800 bucks from Driveshaft Shop. Screw that! Think Im gonna start nesting away parts for the solid axle. I just realized I have a built, 4.10 geared solid sitting right next to my cobra in the garage, but it would be hard to sell that car with the IRS so thats out...

Key killer, take a look at my post in the "visual" section and tell me what you think. Thanks.

[acidtonic]

I'd go a step further from what someone suggested above regarding the Griggs Torque Arm setup.

I'm personally going to use their Watts link setup which is supposed to be one of the baddest solid axle setups for handling. They beat Ferrari on their own course with a 98 GR 40 Cobra using this setup.

YouTube - Griggs GR40 Mustang at Virginia City Hill Climb

YouTube - Griggs GR40 Mustang at Virginia City Hill Climb

They have a small writeup right on their homepage as well. You have to scroll down until you see the convertible red cobra picture.