IRS or Live Axle?

[Shay]

Last week I had the opportunity to spend dinner one night chatting with a number of SVT engineers, writers from the automotive magazines, and Mustang magazine editors.

The subject came up about whether or not the Mustang should have an independent rear suspension or not, given today's $50,60,70 and 80,000 price tags on special edition Mustangs with 500+ horsepower.

It was an interesting conversation and one that did not conclude with an definitive consensus from anyone. It sparked my interest such that I wrote a Pro & Con article that has a poll at the end.

http://www.themustangnews.com/tech_08/st-0508irs102.htm

[DevilSun]

Interesting information, and I bet that conversation was very interesting to be involved in as well. Thanks for sharing Shay!

I'll have to say, I've changed my impression of the IRS since having the Cobra. I still really like a modified solid axle as my highest priority preference for all out performance, but the IRS has definitely climbed closer to equality because of the benefits all around of IRS. If I had an all out track only / non-streetable car, I'd prefer a modified solid axle...but I'll take the IRS for anything else

[Wharf Rat]

Nice article.

I personally detest IRS and wouldn't have bought the 2 new S197s that I did if they had IRS. The happeist day of my hot-rodding life was when I chucked the IRS out of my Cobra and put a built 8.8 under it.

[Mustanger]

I love the IRS for my style of driving, no banzai clutch popping starts, IRS feels better going around the curves & bumps..just a bit more comfortable with no sacrifice in performance.

[xzo6]

IMO, I prefer the 5 point rear independent suspension I had on my old 04 Zo6...
I know it is subjective opinion and it worked well with transverse springs.I think however GM needs to refine the 6 speed transaxle setup.Having a solid axle has it's benefits too.

[Frank3]

Good article Sam...

For me, the "retro" Mustang has to have a solid axle. That's just the way it is. In the future, if it is designed in from the start, IRS might be good...

[rheacerdave]

I had a '03 Cobra and hated the IRS. Kenny Brown was in Nashville a few years back and I mentioned the oversteer induced by soft bushing and they agreed it was awful.
I have a 9in in the race car with a Griggs Torque Arm and wouldn't mind one in the 428R.
What we have now is a Big improvement over the old 4 link, though. It was evil.

[360Rocket]

IRS owners, while a bit pricey for some, you can buy a bushing kit off SVTperformance that will give you the same feel and performance as a solid axle. I have owned a 360R and a Cobra and can tell you my first impressions of the IRS compared to the solid axle were this: With the solid axle 360R, you knew and felt that you were in a performance car and you paid that price in sacrifice of a civilized ride when you wern't pushing the envelope of performance. In the IRS Cobra, my first thoughts were "damn this thing rides like a luxury car" but when pushed you were rewarded with the performance aspects of a sports car. Bottom line is, If SVT wants to know how we really feel and since the SVT line tends to be more higher priced and limited production, give that niche consumer an "ala carte" menu to choose how the customer wants thier car set up. Its pretty much done that way with the Trak Pak cars, why not SVT? my .02

[Mr DayZee]

I hate IRS but just my opinion...Oh I'm sorry thought you were talking about those guys always wanting Cash for Uncle Sam...HEHE...Nah truthfully I like old style, not much of an IRS fan! But just my opinion.

[06Roush_st_3]

I think for a $50K car they should come with IRS. If done right it is better and the main reason I heard that the Cobra went away from the IRS was the drag racers complaining.

most of the other cars in this price range and higher have the independent. So why would they do it, if it's not better.

I can tell you that a M3 with IRS, yet stock, lower HP will run with my S3 as it sits now. Those cars are fast.