Those with experience - IRS swap worth it? (I like my current set-up!!)

[007]

A friend of mine has a low mileage '03 cobra. He wants to swap his IRS for my live axle. It would be free (no labor charge).

I already have H&Rs, 8 way adjust shocks, Magnaflow catback, and 4.10s back there.

I'd get 4.10s, Stock Cobra Bilsteins , Stock Catback and some other brand lowering springs that I havent heard of.

My question is, for those who have driven both a well lowered GT and a Cobra. Is it really worth it? I love the ride height of my car and it handles pretty well. I also love my current catback and adjustable shocks. I dont want to make drastic changes to my car unless it really is a huge improvement. And I could always just buy the Steeda 5 link or a panhard bar someday...

He's getting rid of it due to wheel hop. I plan on supercharging this car so I may have the same problems. I'm not into drag racing though. This is my summer daily driver, and I might try some casual road racing at some point.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 

[007]

Is the Cobra diff any better? Do I have to swap brakes too? Any better???

 

[urban96]

ive heard the cobra diff is better (used carbon fiber clutch packs), cant help you out much with the other questions tho

 

[tomustang]

IMO It is worth it for normal driving, under hard cornering it's better to upgrade the axle shafts, The difference of IRS and Live Axle is night and day. The only daily problem you'll have is watching the exhaust over bumps

Read here about the complete swap and what needs to be done http://www.stangpro.com/html/articles/irs.htm

 

[tomustang]

Is the Cobra diff any better? Do I have to swap brakes too? Any better???

When you do the swap everything is switched including brakes

 

[BennyBlown2v]

I'm puting mine in this week over the holiday I had to send my shocks out to maximum motorsports to have them milled for the coilover kit, but they are sched. to arrive monday and then the fun begins I've already put in poly subframe and diff bushings into the IRS to try to qualm some of the reported wheel hop. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[007]

bump.

 

[white99gt]

Is it worth it HELL YES.

I got a 03 cobra setup in mine with lots of mods.I LOVE it over the solid axle.
I went from tokico adjustables,sportlines(and drag springs),solid axle,flowmaster catback.
To a IRS,flowmaster catback,stock cobra shocks,stock cobra springs(cut 1/2 coil),a few bushing upgrades.It rides and handles awesome.

 

[007]

Any more input. I dont know what to do here. I dont really want to mess with my car... i dunno

 

[Mustang5L5]

If i was in that situation i would do the swap.

You however seem like you already decided against it. If you thought it was a good idea, you would have gone with it already.

You do lose out with the aftermarket parts, and i am not sure the IRS will make up for it. You also gain Cobra rear disks so you can just upgrade to front 13" disks and call it a day.

You also get to start fresh on an exhaust if you ever wanted to try something new.

Your buddy will need to pick up the FMS M-2300M disk kit in order to upgrade your live axle to Cobra disk brakes if he wants them. $190

 

[007]

If i was in that situation i would do the swap.

You however seem like you already decided against it. If you thought it was a good idea, you would have gone with it already.

You do lose out with the aftermarket parts, and i am not sure the IRS will make up for it. You also gain Cobra rear disks so you can just upgrade to front 13" disks and call it a day.

You also get to start fresh on an exhaust if you ever wanted to try something new.

Your buddy will need to pick up the FMS M-2300M disk kit in order to upgrade your live axle to Cobra disk brakes if he wants them. $190

Whats the difference in the rear brakes, GT vs Cobra? Thanks for your input. I'm not against it yet... I just really like my car right now, and dont want to screw with it without good reason...

 

[Mustang5L5]

Calpers are the same, but the Cobra has 11.65" vented rear disks while the GT has solid 10.5" disks. The Cobra disks will respond better against fade and in repeated stops.

If you take a look at the disks on your GT, you'll see te dust shield is larger than the disk. That's because it's designed for both GT's and Cobras. The rotor would be roughtly the size of that sheild.

 

[back_in_black]

I think the wheel hop is a bigger issue and problem and not worth the upgrade in handling. I've seen too many 03 04 cobras blow half shafts at the track. I had to run bfg drag radials on mine so I could get into it without the wheel hop. If you plan on suoercharging down the road stick with the live axle, jmo.

 

[white99gt]

I think the wheel hop is a bigger issue and problem and not worth the upgrade in handling. I've seen too many 03 04 cobras blow half shafts at the track. I had to run bfg drag radials on mine so I could get into it without the wheel hop. If you plan on suoercharging down the road stick with the live axle, jmo.

Wheel hop isnt a big issue.Esp if you upgrade the bushings and add the IRS brace it will be fine.I know a few 03/04 cobras in the low 11's and 10's with the IRS and they love it.

You lose exhaust,smaller rear brakes,and a few misc things.

You gain better handling esp if you upgrade the bushings,better brakes,better ride,room for a bigger exhaust compaired to a solid axle.

But if you wanted to do it.Like others have said you would have done it by now.I gave up a fully built 8.8 for the IRS.I havent thought about the solid since..