FFR IRS Questions

[Edward Tillema]

I must have done something wrong the first time I posted this so I will try again.

What extra parts are needed for the IRS, and what is included for the option cost?

What are the advantages, handling, ride, or what?

How hard is it to put in?

I am planning my second FFR and I wish to make this one handle much better than the first. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will be mostly autocrossing with it, with an occasional open track day thrown in.

Thanks in advance.

Ed.

[Dirt Cowboy]

Ed,
You will need a donor T-Bird Sooper Coop or Lincoln MK8 IRS donor rearend. This would include the center section, the inner and outer CV joints, the spindles (uprights), the hubs (need to be redrilled to 5x4.5, or buy new 99+ Cobra Mustang hubs)and the brakes. I would toss the T-Bird IRS brakes off of the tallest bridge, call Richard Oben or Mark Reynolds and buy the Cobra Mustang rear brake adapters. This way you can run the larger 11.65" rotors and the superior 'Stang brakes. Make sure you also use SN95 front suspension goodies, then you can run the 13" Cobra 'Stang rotors and calipers up front. FFR includes the upper and lower arms, new axle,(half), shafts, coil overs and all of the nuts and bolts you need to hook it up. The IRS "cage" is welded on at the factory, if you order the IRS with your kit.

Advantages? Pimp factor, way cool. Rides somewhat better, handles like crap unless you spring for some anti-sway bars. Adds 3K to re-sale, only costs 3K to put on the car.

I didn't think the install was any harder than a live axle 8.8. Different, but not hard. I believe you can have about the same handling if you use the 3 link 8.8 hookup and coilovers. Both of these are FFR options, about 1K total??

Lots to ponder, huh?
Later,

Greg A. Warwick, Dirt Cowboy, FFR 2372