So I was able to make progress on the IRS install tonight.
This is essentially the original write-up that I saw regarding the IRS install:
http://www.mouthbreather.net/IRSSWAP.HTML .
The write-up is very good and well detailed, however, I had one issue with some aspects of the install that I think may have been overlooked. My main concern was that the author made no mention of reinforcing the framerails that the upper subframe bolts to. The framerail is shaped like a "U" so the top portion is nothing but some 16ga sheet metal. Installing some oversized washers is not sufficient to prevent collapsing the framerail, in my opinion. I decided to use some 3/16 steel plate and tube to reinforce the framerails so there is no chance of any collapse.
Here's the 1/2" grade 8 bolts as well as the plates and tubes that I cut to size:
I oversized the holes in the floor to give me a little margin of error with lining up the reinforcements:
The spare tire well is so close to the driver side framerail that I had to cut a hole in it to drill through the inner side of the framerail:
I'll weld it back up and install a grommet in the tire well in case I ever need to access the subframe bolt
The passenger side needed a little bit of trimming so the subframe mounts would sit flush:
Here are the welded reinforcements. The notch in the one smaller plate is so it clears the welded nut inside the framerail for the old quad shock mount.
Mocked up in the car:
Removing the old axle snubber so the upper control arm will clear:
Mocked up the passenger side
control arms and hub:
And the moment of truth...tire clearance:
I'm honestly not sure how I feel about how far out the wheel sits. What do you guys think? If I didn't have rotors in the back, I think the spacing would be perfect. Who needs rear brakes anyway, right?
I may either a) explore other wheel options or b) see about possibly having the hub of the 01 Cobra's machined down a bit to allow the wheel to sit in more. I'm not sure if that is possible or not.