Solid Axles vs IRS

[Sick96Stang]

From what I understand Solid Axles are better for drag racing and IRS is better for road racing/auto x, is this true? If so why is that?

 

[tomustang]

Ah dude you gotta start this when i'm tired?

short version: you take a hard turn, you need the tires to grip the most, by having IRS each rear tire has it's own (independant) setup not having to fight with the other side for balance. it also give the opportunity of running a stiffer spring in the back for the same reason (not having to deal with the other side in a turn)

*Edit - You can have a fully built solid axle perform almost as good as a fully built IRS, just marginally below it at the track

 

[Sick96Stang]

Ah dude you gotta start this when i'm tired?

short version: you take a hard turn, you need the tires to grip the most, by having IRS each rear tire has it's own (independant) setup not having to fight with the other side for balance. it also give the opportunity of running a stiffer spring in the back for the same reason (not having to deal with the other side in a turn)

*Edit - You can have a fully built solid axle perform almost as good as a fully built IRS, just marginally below it at the track

Nice thanks Ok so why is a solid axle that much bettter for drag racing than an IRS?

 

[mity2]

I want IRS for the comfort of driving croppy road. i don't race car - thats how you fu@# 5hit up

 

[timeless2]

I've heard that wheel hop is harder to control with an IRS--true or false? Why?

 

[White Stang]

Nice thanks Ok so why is a solid axle that much bettter for drag racing than an IRS?

Weight and power transfer to the rear wheels. better 60' times and ET. IRS gives in where you would have to use such stiff springs that you would lose the handling that the IRS is good for.

 

[BennyBlown2v]

I'm puting an IRS in my car in a few weeks (waiting on MM to machine my rear shocks for coilover kit ). The reasons why I decided on an IRS is A) it was cheaper than buying a new solid rear end and building it up, B) it soaks up bumps and dips better on rough roads, and C) it's cool .

At the moment I have HORRIBLE wheel hop with my solid axle, but that could be from the bent housing and completely dead quad shocks...lol...so I'm not to worried about an IRS with the urethane bushings i'm puting in being worse than my current situation.

 

[PonyboyIsaac]

[
*Edit - You can have a fully built solid axle perform almost as good as a fully built IRS, just marginally below it at the track[/QUOTE]

Yeah proof of that is ford racings fr500 mustangs whooping up on the likes of bmw and others in road racing.

 

[timeless2]

Anyone want to tackle post #5, please?

 

[tomustang]

Anyone want to tackle post #5, please?

in drag races you want the most traction as possible and everything woreking together, an IRS stock is ment for smoother driveablity on roads (same with new GTO) it acts as a seperate wheel system were both tires don't react the same in situation of grip, in drag racing you need both tires to grip the same way at the same time via a solid axle with a differental both rotating them at the same time



(im drunk)

 

[timeless2]

in drag races you want the most traction as possible and everything woreking together, an IRS stock is ment for smoother driveablity on roads (same with new GTO) it acts as a seperate wheel system were both tires don't react the same in situation of grip, in drag racing you need both tires to grip the same way at the same time via a solid axle with a differental both rotating them at the same time.

Cool. But what about wheel hop on the IRS vs solid?

 

[TGJ]

The easiest way to explain why wheel hop is more prevalant in an IRS that the tires can move frontwards and backwards as well as up and down. A solid axle cannot move front and back. Hence it is easier to plant!

I am too lazy to go and find how to stiffen an IRS up and too lazy to find the pic of a 94 TBird SC launching at the drag strip showing that the rear wheels moving frontwards on the launch.

 

[timeless2]

The easiest way to explain why wheel hop is more prevalant in an IRS that the tires can move frontwards and backwards as well as up and down. A solid axle cannot move front and back. Hence it is easier to plant!

Thanks!