03 cobra IRS

[silversvo]

Has anyone ever installed the IRS from a newer cobra into an SVO. I found an IRS here in town that is basically being given away. I was just curious if it is even worth the hassle of setting it up.

[SVOeric]

SEARCH!! --
you will find that several of us have done the swap.

[Philc]

yeah, its fun. I was the 1st to do it to a non-v8 car. took a total of 14 hours, from driving in to driving out. handling is awesome, no more "mustang shimmy" from the rear end. best for a street driven car. for a track car, the PHB/TA is still the best (or steeda 5-link- my next option)

[GAboySVO]

SEARCH!! --
you will find that several of us have done the swap.

Eric,

I've tried searching several different items today and I'm not getting any results.

[SVOeric]

heheh -- yea, Somehow durring the upgrade, the search was turned off on all the forums, (you can specify some forums aren't searchable) I just turned them all on, and the search index is rebuilding now.

[NavySVO]

I just turned them all on, and the search index is rebuilding now.

It's like SkyNet

[silversvo]

I did try the search feature first and it didnt work... I know to search first, but I figured if it wasnt working, then what do I do next??? Post it! So it took a total of 14 hours in and out? Was that doing it in a shop or shadetree style in the garage or driveway? What about the brake setup with the brake lines and the exhaust?

[Philc]

14 hours on my garage w/ 2 floor jack stands and a floor jack.

take out stock rear end, exhaust from cat back.

for the brakes, you'll need a brass distribution block and 2 hard lines- the brass block goes where the old rubber line used to go, and the hard lines go to each of the wheel wells. I can't remember the actual length of each, make a mock up w/ wire coat hangers 1st.

remove the bump stops

then the front of the IRS goes into the stock lower control arm holes

loosly bolt the rear brackets to the IRS, and lift up into place. mark where the holes meet up with the rear subframes and drill holes.

put bolts in holes (duh!) and tighten up the IRS. mount brake lines (I can't remember what I did for parking brake, I think I took the IRS cables and shortened them w/ cable clamp thingys)

for the exhaust, I used a stock '99 cobra exhaust w/ an SVO Y pipe- took 30 mins to make, and I suck at welding. if you want to go dual 3-inch bling bling exhaust (my goals), ford sells a DUAL mandrel IRS 3 inch for $300ish. tee hee hee. you'll need a custom Y pipe for that.

good 5.0L install article at http://www.mouthbreather.net/IRSSWAP.HTML

I used the stock driveshaft, and if you get the 28 spline IRS, Ford sold (dont know if they still do) a 3.73 complete center section for $600. thats about the price to install gears, and you still have the old one to sell!

try to avoid going w/ too stiff a spring- if you use a cobra spring (or a lowered aftermarket cobra spring), keep in mind these are for much heavier cars. too high a spring rate and you loose some of the benefits of the IRS. I've heard a good shock/spring to get is an afco unit (bill mathis (ghod of mustang handling) on www.corner-carvers.com reported this). note- dont go to corner-carvers asking stupid questions.

thats my $0.02. I was the 1st SVO guy to do it, but many have followed. remember it adds 80lbs to the car. IMHO, thats OK as long as it adds it to the BACK of the car. it also GREATLY reduces un-sprung weight.

the master cylinder is fine un-modified, I diddn't even change the dist block thingy.

[Mustang Matt]

Nice job on the description PhilC.... I have a few small details to throw in. You will need a bubbleflare ended brake line (not double flared) to match the Cobra rear brakes, Napa stocks them. Just cut and double flare the other side to match to the junction.

You can use the factory E-brake lines if you cut the retaining end out from under a 94 and newer car and bolt it up to the tunnel of you SVO.

The rear end does not slide in to the control arm mounting points, it slides UP in to them. Trying to slide it in rather than jack it up into doubled the installation time on my car and kept me up for a night staring at the ceiling trying to figure it out.

You might also want to evaluate the placement of your fuel filter especially on an 84-85. The cage for the IRS tends to limit the space above it in front of the tank.

Other than that....... it was butter.

[silversvo]

Well, from the sounds of it, I think I might have to do that... I am weighing my options as of right now.

[SVOeric]

the swap was pretty simple -- Matt- - I didn't use a bubbleflare, just a standard doubleflare -- everything bolted right in, and I haven't had any leaks yet

The brake lines are the hardest part of the swap, but not hard at all.

on the install, I bolted the control arms into the lower control arm brackets first, and just jacked the rear up into the brackets that mount on the frame rails

I have a alumnimum drive shaft to go in mine, but havn't got that far yet.. other projects got in the way (building a motorcycle for my kids for christmas)

The swap sounds intimidating, but once it was over and done with, I have to say it was easier than I thought it would be.

[Philc]

The swap sounds intimidating, but once it was over and done with, I have to say it was easier than I thought it would be.

yup- pretty easy in the end. I'm looking at the same conversion for the '67 stang.

and sorry about any mistakes in my post- I'm 6 beers down and counting.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

and sorry about any mistakes in my post- I'm 6 beers down and counting.

Rookies!

Should be 12 by now.

[silversvo]

so everything is a bolt on setup? I am not going to have to do any drilling or cutting of any sort am I? I thought this IRS was here in Houston, but it is in Kansas City and the car this guy is buying is here in Houston. I wonder if he needs that car delivered for the IRS???

[Philc]

Rookies!

Should be 12 by now.

pat- let me rephrase-

6 of my beers. my homebrew.
these are 22oz, and 7-8% alcohol

so this means 24 coors light/bud/miller, and I forget the calculations for guinness, but its probably 8-12.