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The Terminator
Suspension Modifications
IRS Shortcomings?
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<blockquote data-quote="UncleSAm" data-source="post: 11039130" data-attributes="member: 119868"><p>from FTBR:</p><p></p><p>The more complicated answer is this: If you're a very sharp mechanical engineer, and you've spent many years researching, designing, developing, testing, racing and executing the production of motor vehicles and suspension systems, there is still a very slim chance you'd be more knowledgeable than a team of SVT engineers. SVT engineers came to the ultimate conclusion that the SVT product line would be better served with an IRS under it. It unfortunately came quite compromised due to NVH requirements which has led to many of it's issues and unpopularity, particularly as the rubber suspension bushings age and wear.</p><p></p><p>Numerous centuries ago when wagons were built to be pulled behind oxen and horses, the SRA was axle of choice. Roman's put SRA's on chariots. The first motor vehicle produced back in the late 1800's had solid axles on it as well. Both front and rear. As you may have guessed suspension systems, just like anything else have improved in design over the years. Almost every vehicle on the road now has an independent FRONT suspension on it with the exception of four wheel drive vehicles. Independent REAR suspension systems have become so popular due to improved ride and handling that they don't just come on high performance sports cars any more. They also come on pony cars, two and four door sedans, sport utility vehicles, mini vans and many other vehicles as well. There is a reason that every high performance sports car manufactured today, comes from the factory equipped with an IRS. The SVT Cobra Mustang, considered a pony car, is one of many high performance cars that came with an IRS. The Corvette, which is without a doubt one of America's most successful sports cars, came with an IRS starting in 1963. That's more than forty six years! These cars all came with an IRS for a reason. Their manufacturers decided these car would be better served with an IRS under them for improved ride quality and superior handling.</p><p></p><p>Yes, handling can be improved to a SRA adding things like a torque arm, panhard bar or a watts link. But they will never be an IRS. Some people like the idea of swapping to an SRA because they will reduce their vehicle's weight by about 150#. This is fine for drag racing but for street manners you are making a vehicle that already has a lopsided F/R weight distribution of 57/43 (for an '03-'04 Cobra Mustang for example) even MORE unbalanced. One other thing to keep in mind is a SRA will add a substantial amount of unsprung weight to the rear suspension. Some people run these GT axles with GT rear brakes. Brakes are a safety item and for people that are making their cars faster with aftermarket parts should not be downgrading their brakes. They should be upgrading them.</p><p></p><p>Cobras are more sophisticated vehicles than a Mustang GT for numerous reasons, making them considerably more expensive . They have a higher performance engine, sometimes equipped with a supercharger, better transmission, improved brakes, wheels and SUSPENSION including the IRS. These cars are already depreciating fast enough without downgrading the rear suspension to that of a Mustang GT. Be certain what you are deciding to do with your car.</p><p></p><p>In closing I'd like to say the ultimate decision is in your hands. It's your car, do with it what you want.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="UncleSAm, post: 11039130, member: 119868"] from FTBR: The more complicated answer is this: If you're a very sharp mechanical engineer, and you've spent many years researching, designing, developing, testing, racing and executing the production of motor vehicles and suspension systems, there is still a very slim chance you'd be more knowledgeable than a team of SVT engineers. SVT engineers came to the ultimate conclusion that the SVT product line would be better served with an IRS under it. It unfortunately came quite compromised due to NVH requirements which has led to many of it's issues and unpopularity, particularly as the rubber suspension bushings age and wear. Numerous centuries ago when wagons were built to be pulled behind oxen and horses, the SRA was axle of choice. Roman's put SRA's on chariots. The first motor vehicle produced back in the late 1800's had solid axles on it as well. Both front and rear. As you may have guessed suspension systems, just like anything else have improved in design over the years. Almost every vehicle on the road now has an independent FRONT suspension on it with the exception of four wheel drive vehicles. Independent REAR suspension systems have become so popular due to improved ride and handling that they don't just come on high performance sports cars any more. They also come on pony cars, two and four door sedans, sport utility vehicles, mini vans and many other vehicles as well. There is a reason that every high performance sports car manufactured today, comes from the factory equipped with an IRS. The SVT Cobra Mustang, considered a pony car, is one of many high performance cars that came with an IRS. The Corvette, which is without a doubt one of America's most successful sports cars, came with an IRS starting in 1963. That's more than forty six years! These cars all came with an IRS for a reason. Their manufacturers decided these car would be better served with an IRS under them for improved ride quality and superior handling. Yes, handling can be improved to a SRA adding things like a torque arm, panhard bar or a watts link. But they will never be an IRS. Some people like the idea of swapping to an SRA because they will reduce their vehicle's weight by about 150#. This is fine for drag racing but for street manners you are making a vehicle that already has a lopsided F/R weight distribution of 57/43 (for an '03-'04 Cobra Mustang for example) even MORE unbalanced. One other thing to keep in mind is a SRA will add a substantial amount of unsprung weight to the rear suspension. Some people run these GT axles with GT rear brakes. Brakes are a safety item and for people that are making their cars faster with aftermarket parts should not be downgrading their brakes. They should be upgrading them. Cobras are more sophisticated vehicles than a Mustang GT for numerous reasons, making them considerably more expensive . They have a higher performance engine, sometimes equipped with a supercharger, better transmission, improved brakes, wheels and SUSPENSION including the IRS. These cars are already depreciating fast enough without downgrading the rear suspension to that of a Mustang GT. Be certain what you are deciding to do with your car. In closing I'd like to say the ultimate decision is in your hands. It's your car, do with it what you want. [/QUOTE]
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