2001 vs 2003 IRS

BlackGT89

Member

Dec 16, 2002

774

6

18

Huntsville, AL

Dec 12, 2009

#1

• Dec 12, 2009

• #1

I did a search but couldn't find the answer I was looking for. I've got a '89 GT that I want to transplant an IRS into. I've seen several '03 IRS's on Ebay, but I thought they were a little over priced, so I put it off. Now I've found an '01 IRS that seems to be at a good price (with about 75,000 miles). My question is this, is the '03 IRS far superior to the '01 to deserve the almost $1,000 more price ? I know they both are 31 spline and the '03 half-shafts are improved in some way (?) and they come with 3:55's. Can someone tell me what exactly is different beside those things ? I will probably get rid of all the rubber bushings, add the differental cover brace and swap the 3:27's for 3:73's if I get the '01 IRS. Any info would be great !

 

BlackGT89

Member

Dec 16, 2002

774

6

18

Huntsville, AL

Dec 13, 2009

#2

• Dec 13, 2009

• #2

Anyone, anyone ??

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

4,749

95

134

Dec 14, 2009

#3

• Dec 14, 2009

• #3

I know there are some slight differences, maybe try Modular Fords for this fairly advanced and specific question...

 

COBRA90GT

Mod Dude

Sep 22, 2001

6,654

0

87

HOCKEYTOWN ® , MI

Dec 14, 2009

#4

• Dec 14, 2009

• #4

I wouldn't say a used '03 IRS is worth $1000 more than an '01 IRS...the halfshafts in the '03 are somewhat beefier; that's the biggest difference I'm aware of. It seems you're already aware of the main differences (gearing, etc).

 

BlackGT89

Member

Dec 16, 2002

774

6

18

Huntsville, AL

Dec 14, 2009

#5

• Dec 14, 2009

• #5

Thanks for the answers. I'm trying to educate myself on the matter and make a good choice. Seems like I read somewhere that the '03 and up have an additional brace called a launch brace or launch arm, or something like that, but I've not been able to document it for sure. If I bought an '01 I would definately beef it up as much as I could, but if I buy an '03 I will probably not poor anymore money into it. The '01 I was looking at on Ebay went for $886, I bowed out at a little over $700. Thanks again guys !

 

Black*Death

New Member

Dec 22, 2008

4

0

1

Mar 21, 2010

#6

• Mar 21, 2010

• #6

Look in SVT Forums Classifieds under suspension. I recall seeing 01 Cobra IRS's selling there. No way were they going for almost $900.

I would say $500-700 is about what I recall? This is usually without shipping so unsure how much that would add?


f/s- 03/04 cobra irs - SVTPerformance

Local p/u only but here is and example guy wants 800 for 03/04 IRS.

03 Cobra IRS rearend & Borla stinger IRS catback For Sale in NC - SVTPerformance

This guy would like local only pick-up but again a ballpark price number for you

 

C

Charged01cobra

New Member

Aug 29, 2009

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0

Chenango Forks NY

Mar 31, 2010

#7

• Mar 31, 2010

• #7

how much hp you throwing at it? i got the stock axles still in mine and i havent broke them yet, alltho im sure i would if i put some nitto drag tires on it.

 

Gallows

Member

Mar 30, 2005

16

0

8

Summerside, PE, Canada

May 1, 2010

#8

• May 1, 2010

• #8

I picked up a 99 IRS off of SVTP that had the upgraded 31 spline carrier/axles, 4:56 gears Billet Flow brace, front MM brace, Magnaflow catback, H&R springs and Q1-A shocks for $1300. I need to put new bushings in it but I still think I got a pretty good deal.

 

M

mikepol2

New Member

Jul 7, 2006

28

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1

Pittsburgh, PA

May 22, 2010

#9

• May 22, 2010

• #9

You're right, the main differences are the halfshafts, the factory gears, and the differential brace. The brace is just a bolt-on piece that you can buy separately for around $150. The bushing replacement is very time consuming, I had about 25-30 hours in replacing just the lower control arm bushings and the IRS subframe bushings with urethane, but the results are great. I could never get the tires to chirp with the stock bushings, but with the urethane bushings it hooks up and corners much better.