89 limited slip Ford 8.8 IRS swap help
It can swing the other way, too. Being only 19, means you have no idea that it's all been done before. IRS is nothing new. These cars are a good mix of things that work and last. Like I said, google the Green Brick and read about it. That car was racing with and beating Vipers, Vettes, Ferraris, Lambos...you name it. Its all about the package. Usually, cars are pretty tough to improve upon from the factory design. It can be done, but it's a lot more difficult than simply swapping in "better" parts.
Absolutely. There's a lot of really fast cars with good old straight stick rear axles.
And, it really depends on the parts you swap in. I spent the last couple of hours reading up on Mustang IRS. Seems like the only way you'll get rid of the wheel hop that's been associated with that particular design is to replace every rubber bushing in the entire system with aluminum or delrin. And of course, if you lower the car you'll have to completely re-do your alignment and modify some things to avoid bump steer. Not sure if that's relevant though without knowing how it would install, might not need to lower anything.
Seems like the racer's still like the IRS better, but they're heavily modifying the stock system. The Mustang Cobra set up is nice because of the cradle it comes with, turns out the 99-04 Mustang chassis was a modified earlier version, so the IRS was added just like we would have to do it. Bonus, easier to install. Negative, that's where all the bushings and wheel hop come from.
Seems like the dimensions of the Cobra IRS are close enough to make a swap realistic. Guys have put them under classic mustangs as well, so it can be done. I'm seeing a to hub-hub dimension of about 62" to 62.5" for the 99-04 cobra IRS, which is a little wider than the B body rear I have in my Duster (60 1/8" drum-drum). So, even more backspace will be needed than what I have, which is 7" on my 18x10's. The only dimensions I can find for the cradle mounts is about 40", which is almost exactly the center to center measurement on our rear frame rails. So, that might work pretty good.
But its not a small undertaking. And if you just bolt up an IRS from a donor car you'll get all the wheel hop issues that the 99-04 mustang guys have been complaining about since they came out. Seems like you would definitely end up being into it for thousands, even if you get the IRS complete from a donor car. Still, compared to converting to a 4 link and disks its not a horrible price. Heck even compared to sourcing an A-body 8 3/4 and disks it might not be too much more painful.
