8.8 IRS rear in a classic

[RFMustangGT]

I just bought a complete drive train out of a 99 cobra. I was thinking about putting it all in my 95 gt but I've been toying with the idea of putting it in my 69 fastback shell or finding a 64-66. the idea would be to have eventually a road course car. I know the 95 would be a drop in but I was wondering how much work it would be or if someone makes a conversion kit? I love watching vintage race cars on the track and though a 64-66 or 69-70 mustang with some modern help would be a sweet little machine.

 

[latamud]

The 67-70 used a wider rear end than 65-66. The cobra irs is about 64" wide between wheel mounting surfaces, 65-66 is 58", 67-70 is 60". Do some searching on cobra irs and classics and you will find a kit. But there is some extra modification to get it under a 65-66.
I'm putting a 99 Cobra rear under my 66. To get things to fit and clear better I have to run a wheel with more back spacing or less dish in the rear. And, you can't run more dish up front than in the rear so front's need changing too. I'm going with 17x9 with 6.12" backspacing. I need 1.25 spacers up front to get the correct back spacing, and a 1" fender flare to account for the extra 1" in rim width. The rear, I'll have some ideas and hope to get away with flaring about 1.5" I'll get 275/40-17 all the way around.

 

[simplyJ]

DVS restorations makes a mounting kit to put the IRS in the classic mustang. Last time I looked into it, the pricing was a bit steep. I ended up putting it in a fox body I was toying with at the time (along with 03 cobra front control arms, brakes, sn95 steering rack, etc) and had myself a pretty decent little autoX beater. It was cakewalk installing it in a fox body, and I'm sure it'll be even easier just dropping it into the 95

 

[96 DOHC Cobra]

If you want to install the IRS in a classic Stang, DVS has what you need. Not cheap, but you'll be able to do it alot easier and Dave is a great help. I installed one from a 2001 Cobra in my 96 Cobra. It was basically a bolt-in. A 95 is almost as easy. The brake lines in the 95 are configured a little different and will require some adapter fittings and custom lines. Also, you'll need to push a fuel line out of the way because it's very close to one of the mounting brackets.

 

[Rusty67]

If you have a 95, I'd put the IRS in that bad boy.

To be honest... I'd put and EFI 351w in there as well =) I've been toying with the idea of geting a 95 for just that reason.

 

[RFMustangGT]

Thank for the info guys! Great stuff.

I had originally planned to make my 95 into my road course car. It would be MUCH easier than converting a 69 fastback but I was looking for something different with 69 fastback idea. I'm still way early in planning stages as I just graduated from college and cars are not super high on the priority. I just like to plan and research things very thoroughly before I jump into them. I'm just torn if I want something easy or different. Thanks again and keep the ideas coming!

 

[Rusty67]

If you want to do IRS in the classics, look into either the T5 IRS rear end setup or the Jaguar IRS conversion. I would think the T5 IRS gets the best results in the classic as it is actually the original design for IRS in the classics.

As far as the SN95 IRS, look into Maximum Motorsports for upgrades and if you are going to put a lot of power/torque through it, get Cobra R spec half shafts.

 

[latamud]

My vote is in the 69. Have fun with it.

 

[bnickel]

i vote for putting it in the 69 as well. swap in a TCP front suspension and rack kit or one of the AJE strut and rack conversion kits if you want to stay with all late model suspension parts and hit the track

 

[gonzothegreat]

If you want to do IRS in the classics, look into either the T5 IRS rear end setup or the Jaguar IRS conversion. I would think the T5 IRS gets the best results in the classic as it is actually the original design for IRS in the classics.

As far as the SN95 IRS, look into Maximum Motorsports for upgrades and if you are going to put a lot of power/torque through it, get Cobra R spec half shafts.

The only downside of it is the cost

 

[Rusty67]

The T5 rear end is a bit pricey, but the Jag IRS shouldn't be too expensive provided that you have some fabrication skills and know someone at a local shop.

 

[gonzothegreat]

The T5 rear end is a bit pricey, but the Jag IRS shouldn't be too expensive provided that you have some fabrication skills and know someone at a local shop.

I could get someone I know to do it. It might be a future upgrade for my 65

 

[Dazecars]

If you are looking for IRS information for a Mustang check out my web pages on the subject. the first page talks about the whys and gives some info on why the Jaguar IRS is a natural choice for a first generation Mustang from there you get in to my project

- Putting Independant Rear Susprnsion (IRS) in a Classic Mustang
Page I : Why make the upgrade and Fords original IRS design
Page II : Where to find a unit, and then taredown, and cleaning.
Page III, Narrowing of the LCAs and half shafts and converting the Jaguar bolt pattern to a Ford bolt pattern.