Thoughts about Independent Rear Suspension

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Very interesting, For anyone who has raced in an environment that really demands a good suspension, an IRS is of great interest. Paved circle race typically are not very demanding, not much need for travel except for some rougher dirt tracks. I've rallied since the 70's and the limitations of leaf spring, live axle suspensions are painful. Mitsubishi Colts and Arrows are the only cars where they worked even halfway OK, and the simple Datsun IRS and Opel torque tube live axle had it all over them, as well as the Ford 4-link modified live axles.

Having said that, some IRS designs are compromises too. The 3 link Mustang is limited, and swing arm types have limited travel. A good parallel link 4 link with panhard is a good cheap way to make a step jump upwards in rear performance with the lower cost, strength, reliability, and simplicity of a live axle.

I'll be paying attention to what you come up with, but anyone can build a parallel 4-link for peanuts by comparison.
 
I will be building the IRS for my GT 'vert. around an 8.8 unit from a V-8 T-bird.The only
difference to the stang units involve the axles and wheel hubs,and those are readily available.
The T-bird has the odd 110mm bolt circle,the stang had the traditional 4.5" circle.I chose the
iron unit instead of the lincoln/exploder alum. after seeing many bearing fails in the field,w/o a
good explanation as to why(bearing race recession in case?),and the weight dist. would be a
bit better as well.
Handling and cornering are not the same thing,IRS will always handle better set up right,&
the fastest cars in the world have all set their road course records on IRS. The question is as
stated above,will enough people want to pay the$ to make it worth your effort?I certainly do
support you in the project,and if the development of the setup falls 50/50 into the hobbyist
category,then by all means have at it.
On a road course where the track is relatively smooth,solid rear axles actually rock,but you
rarely encounter that in the real world,and most of my favorite twisties have been destroyed
by trucks,weather cycles,poor drainage,and road crews.Well,they were great while they last-
ed!!! :) As far as accomplishments go,I'm sure the greatest drivers could fly if they were in
a portapotty rollin' on 4 beer kegs wrapped in rubber,but they'd be quicker if it had IRS!!
 

A Mustang Cobra IRS is 61" from flange to flange. With Bullit wheels, you MAY be able to fit one under an A Body.

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Yes, i have one and an F Body but have done nothing with it.

Greg
 
Greg55_99 said:
A Mustang Cobra IRS is 61" from flange to flange. With Bullit wheels, you MAY be able to fit one under an A Body.

Yes, i have one and an F Body but have done nothing with it.

Greg
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It should work in a Duster/Demon/Dart Sport with the right offset wheels (modern like the Bullits). The 68-70 B body 8 3/4 in my Duster is 60.125" from drum to drum.
 
What is the track width of A-bodies? Are they all the same? Mine is Australian so I'm not sure.
 
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