IRS bushings

[High_Ram]

First off, I’m not trying to make this a “Which is better Full Tilt Boogie, or Maximum Motorsports thread”, I’m just wondering which kits are equivalent to each other.

For example, if I were to get the FT5001 kit, is that the same as getting the MMRG-22?

And which one is better? Just kidding.

 

[Blkkbgt]

No the two kits are not equivalent. The FT5001 kit lacks toe links and sway bar end links when compared to the MMRG-22 kit. The MMRG-21 would be the most comparable to the FT5001.

The MMRG-21 kit is more expensive but also comes with a rear bump steer kit. With the FT5001 kit, adding toe links (which is also a bump steer kit BTW) and sway bar end links you would be at about $200 less then the MMRG-22 kit and only slightly more then the MMRG-21.5 which lacks a rear diff mount.

Which is better? FTBR all day every day. It's my belief that the only people who run the MM IRS kits are the ones who either didn't know about the FTBR kits or are brand loyalists. I'll spare you my views on brand loyalty and why I think it can be bad.

Why do I believe FTBR is better? I'll say it has nothing to do with the fact that it's slightly cheaper. Lets me honest here whey you get out around 1k for just about any mod 100-$200 isn't really that much of a concern. At that price point most people are of the mindset that they want what is best. For me it boils down to grease fittings for the control arm bushings and the materials used on those points and the fact that Bruce does not use crappy poly bushings for the IRS mounts. From my experience the ONLY place ploy is acceptable is in sway bar end links and even then you should keep an eye on it because it WILL deform over time and WILL need to be replaced. I steered away from MM's kits because of the poly IRS mount bushings due to my experience with poly. I also didn't want to chance having to tear apart my IRS if one of the bushings started to creek. With FTBR just grab a grease gun and be done with it.

Bruce also has some videos on his site that show radial play in the upper control arms of cars with MM's bushings installed. This was actually a complaint made by more then a few owners back in the day on forums. You may be able to still find them if you search. You won't have that issue with the FTBR kit. To date I have yet to hear of someone wanting to ditch the FTBR kit. The only complaints I've heard centered around the diff mounts but I think those had something to do with bad gear installs that resulted in some whine being transmitted into the cabin.

I'll finish by saying that the FTBR is one of the best mods I ever did to my IRS. If for some reason I build another mustang it will have an IRS with FTBR bushings installed. Everyone who sees the kits instantly think they will make the car ride harsh, that can't be further from the truth. You'll be amazed at how much smoother the car is going down the road and how well it handles.

Hope this helps.

 

[High_Ram]

Thanks!

So if I get the FT5001, I should add toe links FT1860 and sway bar end links FT1900? I wonder why they’re not included?

 

[High_Ram]

Double post

 

[Blkkbgt]

Thanks!

So if I get the FT5001, I should add toe links FT1860 and sway bar end links FT1900? I wonder why they’re not included?

I think you only need them if 1. Your car launches hard at the strip, the stock links have been known to bend. 2. You open track the car, you will need to correct the bump steer.

Also know that if your car is dumped (severe drop) you won't be able to fully correct the bump steer with either kit, there isn't enough adjustment to fully fix it.

 

[geoffmt]

No the two kits are not equivalent. The FT5001 kit lacks toe links and sway bar end links when compared to the MMRG-22 kit. The MMRG-21 would be the most comparable to the FT5001.

The MMRG-21 kit is more expensive but also comes with a rear bump steer kit. With the FT5001 kit, adding toe links (which is also a bump steer kit BTW) and sway bar end links you would be at about $200 less then the MMRG-22 kit and only slightly more then the MMRG-21.5 which lacks a rear diff mount.

Which is better? FTBR all day every day. It's my belief that the only people who run the MM IRS kits are the ones who either didn't know about the FTBR kits or are brand loyalists. I'll spare you my views on brand loyalty and why I think it can be bad.

Why do I believe FTBR is better? I'll say it has nothing to do with the fact that it's slightly cheaper. Lets me honest here whey you get out around 1k for just about any mod 100-$200 isn't really that much of a concern. At that price point most people are of the mindset that they want what is best. For me it boils down to grease fittings for the control arm bushings and the materials used on those points and the fact that Bruce does not use crappy poly bushings for the IRS mounts. From my experience the ONLY place ploy is acceptable is in sway bar end links and even then you should keep an eye on it because it WILL deform over time and WILL need to be replaced. I steered away from MM's kits because of the poly IRS mount bushings due to my experience with poly. I also didn't want to chance having to tear apart my IRS if one of the bushings started to creek. With FTBR just grab a grease gun and be done with it.

Bruce also has some videos on his site that show radial play in the upper control arms of cars with MM's bushings installed. This was actually a complaint made by more then a few owners back in the day on forums. You may be able to still find them if you search. You won't have that issue with the FTBR kit. To date I have yet to hear of someone wanting to ditch the FTBR kit. The only complaints I've heard centered around the diff mounts but I think those had something to do with bad gear installs that resulted in some whine being transmitted into the cabin.

I'll finish by saying that the FTBR is one of the best mods I ever did to my IRS. If for some reason I build another mustang it will have an IRS with FTBR bushings installed. Everyone who sees the kits instantly think they will make the car ride harsh, that can't be further from the truth. You'll be amazed at how much smoother the car is going down the road and how well it handles.

Hope this helps.

Great information! That has changed my mind on how I will do mine next winter. Thanks for the info!


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[94slowbra1]

I love everything MM has to offer. Have used them on front suspension, sold axle rears, irs reas and chassis stiffening. I'll follow up that with I went with FTBR for my irs in my 03. Great parts and great help along the way.
Car rides great, for what it is, and everything moves like it should. My car makes in the neighborhood if 800 and everything is holding together nicely.
Go with the full kit, get the diff cover milled and ready to go, get the deluxe to links (think thats what they are called) and get the adjustable sway bar end links. This will take car of your whole irs. If you are a corner carver get the eibach rear sway bar while you are back there