IRS in Foxbody - Anyone here do it ?

BlackGT89

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Huntsville, AL

Sep 18, 2009

#1

• Sep 18, 2009

• #1

I did a search on this and got nothing. I'm thinking seriously about taking the plunge and I was curious to hear from those who have swapped an IRS into their Foxbody. What were the most labor intensive things about it, what were the hardest to find parts, etc. and would you do it again. What about your wheels (sizes and styles, offsets). I don't ever plan to use this car with slicks and I'm mostly interested in a smoother everyday ride with updated brakes and 5 lugs. I've been in some pretty fast Terminators that launched hard and I'm not scared of loosing traction or wheel hopping for my purposes, just curious about the everday manners and ride, fender clearance, ride heigth and so forth. Thx

 

Shaolin Crane

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Kommiefornia

Sep 18, 2009

#2

• Sep 18, 2009

• #2

talk to Geof Chandler over at Drift Mustang Project he's in the process of swapping in a IRS into his drift 5.0 his aim is Driftlive if you want to get a hold of him directly

 

N

-Nick-

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#3

• Sep 18, 2009

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im sure it will be cheaper to just put a on a full race suspension and you will handle much better...

if the car is strictly for street use, im not exactly sure why you would want to spend that much money for suspension.

 

4G-KDMP

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Jul 23, 2005

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CA

Sep 18, 2009

#4

• Sep 18, 2009

• #4

You're not the first to take the plunge it's been done before.
IRS INTO FOX BODY

 

BlackGT89

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Sep 19, 2009

#5

• Sep 19, 2009

• #5

Thanks for the replies. I've seen the websites and I know pretty much what's involved. My rear suspension is pretty much stock and it's very worn out. The pinion seal is leaking and the gears need to be replaced, and besides I'm going to 5 lug. So when I add up all the things I need, it comes to around $900, very close to what a used IRS from an '03 Cobra would cost. So I'm thinking if the obstacles I mentioned can be overcome it's the perfect solution. I'm certainly not interested in stirring the straight axle vrs IRS debate, I was just hoping to hear from fellow members how the IRS swap into their Fox went. Thanks again for all who reply !

 

93SALEEN SC

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Sep 19, 2009

#6

• Sep 19, 2009

• #6

I just put one in my 93 coupe. Fits perfect the only thing that I would do different is weld the back bracket in and not drill the 6 holes.

 

BlackGT89

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#7

• Sep 19, 2009

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Thanks 93Saleen, that's the kind of info I was looking for. What about your wheel sizes etc., what worked for you ? What about the ride height, how did that come out ? Did you use the Cobra IRS springs ? I've heard coil-overs or 4 cyl. springs would settle the rear height down a bit.

 

93SALEEN SC

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#8

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• #8

Wheels, right now i'm running 97 Cobras, they look nice with the stance being a little wider. Im using the stock 03 Cobra springs with 1/4 of a coil cut off but im going to take them out and cut another 1/4 until i can buy the coil-over kit. I would really suggest using the shocks for the IRS too any other ones are way to soft.

Erick.

 

BlackGT89

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#9

• Sep 19, 2009

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Thanks for the input 93 Salleen SC. How's the ride, a big improvement ? Any traction problems or wheel hop ? Would you do it again ?

 

LaserSVT

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#10

• Sep 20, 2009

• #10

It will help two important areas of the cars dynamics. It will ride much better and the car will be more balenced, less nose heavy.
Sure a SRA can be made to handle as good on a track but an IRS is much better on bump curves and keeps the ass much more planted.

Good luck with the swap, I would love to see progress pics.

 

93SALEEN SC

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Sep 20, 2009

#11

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I havent driven it yet, im still doing a T-56 and a turbo.

 

SVT32VDOHC

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Sep 21, 2009

#12

• Sep 21, 2009

• #12

The ONLY wheels that will look good on a fox body with IRS are 17X9 with a +45mm offset. They will be right out to the edge of the quarters. You will need to roll the lips of the quarters in also.

See...if you use your current 17X8 Cobra wheels (which have a +30mm offset) they will look silly. They will sit out at the quarter edge just like the other wheels I mentioned, but because the offset is only 30mm, there is NO meat under the car. By going with the 17X9 +45mm offset wheel, you get more meat under the car. Why?....because the extra inch in width is under the car AND you get the additional 15mm under the car also.

Don't even think about 17X10.5's because they will stick out past the fenders and it will look stupid.

 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards

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#13

• Sep 21, 2009

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^ the man knows his Fox/SN mods. Listen to him!

 

S

slp352

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Sep 21, 2009

#14

• Sep 21, 2009

• #14

I have plans to do this modification, however I have deciced to first buy a house then tear into the car. I already have the IRS it is just waiting to go in. I have included a few links for you to look into.

My Fox INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION project - Corral Forums
Full Tilt Boogie Racing Homepage

 

SVT32VDOHC

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#15

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I am shocked his 17X9 wheels with the +24mm offset don't stick out more than they do. He said he'd have to rol the fenders when he lowers it, but still...they are out too far then, there is no meat "tucked" under the car. Definatley go with a +45mm 17X9 wheel with this swap. Trust me.

 

67coupe

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Sep 21, 2009

#16

• Sep 21, 2009

• #16

In the first pics of the red coupe on the first page, the rear brake rotors are not on the car. This is why the wheels are tucked in the fenders.

Bullitt5253 on corral HAD some really good pics of 17 X 8 wheel fitment (no longer available). Looked like they just barely tucked under the fenders.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

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#17

• Sep 21, 2009

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Hmm...yeah if he didn't have rotors on there then those wheels are inward 1/4". I did the same thing mocking up my yellow notch. Oh these will fit....uh...wait a minute dummy....I don't have the rotors on...haha

 

BlackGT89

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Sep 21, 2009

#18

• Sep 21, 2009

• #18

Aaaaaah, great responses one and all ! The IRS I was watching on Ebay went a lot higher than I was wanting to pay, so I let it go this time. I'm about 90% sure I will do this one day. Until then I'll keep gathering information and parts so when the day comes I'll be ready ! Thanks guys !

 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards

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#19

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BlackGT89 said:

Aaaaaah, great responses one and all ! The IRS I was watching on Ebay went a lot higher than I was wanting to pay, so I let it go this time. I'm about 90% sure I will do this one day. Until then I'll keep gathering information and parts so when the day comes I'll be ready ! Thanks guys !

Click to expand...

IDK what your budget is but usually they are $750-$1200 on here, Corral and SVTP. There are a few ads on SVTP for guys offering a straight up trade for a SRA thats built (ie: Gearsand better axles) and they will give their 03/04 IRS.

You can even get a 99/01 IRS for a bit cheaper. The half shafts are weaker and they dont have the rear brace but the braces are available at SuperCoupePerformance for about $100 and the half shafts will handle 600ish RWHP if you dont run slicks.

 

BlackGT89

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Sep 23, 2009

#20

• Sep 23, 2009

• #20

"IDK what your budget is but usually they are $750-$1200 on here, Corral and SVTP. There are a few ads on SVTP for guys offering a straight up trade for a SRA thats built (ie: Gearsand better axles) and they will give their 03/04 IRS"

Yeah, this one was from an '03 Cobra and it went for close to $1400, but it did have a Flow Master cat-back that went with it. A reasonable price I guess, but I believe I can do a little better. I'll probably hold out for the '03-04 Cobra version, I figure if it can handle the horsepower of a Terminator it must be a pretty sturdy set up !