What became of the IRS for our cars?
12-11-2002, 06:46 AM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: NYC, NY
Posts: 776
Someone on here was building one, I don't remember if it was based of the C4 or not, but it was mentioned. There were pics of it and everything, the guy said he was building it as a potential kit to swap in, but that at the present time he had not built it in a fashion in which it could be put in without screwing it up.
This was over a year ago. I would really like to know what happened with it, someone here has to know........even info that the idea was scraped would be better than nothing.
This was over a year ago. I would really like to know what happened with it, someone here has to know........even info that the idea was scraped would be better than nothing.
12-12-2002, 04:07 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,148
Mark Montalvo, the man of mystery, haven't even seen him anywhere for a good long while, much less heard of the project 
Last I recall was simply that they were trying to figure out how it would work without requiring a plasma cutter.
Search for VPREATR and shoot him an email.
Last I recall was simply that they were trying to figure out how it would work without requiring a plasma cutter.
Search for VPREATR and shoot him an email.
12-14-2002, 05:15 PM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posts: 36
Probably heresy to say this, but it might be easier to get the Mustang IRS to fit. It was designed to work with the stock Mustang solid axle mounting points, so might be less rework to make it fit.
12-16-2002, 01:26 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: CA
Posts: 90
I've looked into installing an IRS for a long time, recently got some answers, so let me debunk some misconceptions. I recently e-mailed a thirdgen.org member whose brother put in a C4 IRS for his 3rd gen GTA. He sent me lots of photos that show the mounting points, and its amazing how well it fits. Also, the mounts correspond to strong portions of the chassis, requiring little to no re-inforcement (although I'll put in a roll-bar with cross brace behind the rear shock mounts to re-inforce the I-beam attachment). The dog bones attach near the lower control arm mount. The stock shock attachment is re-used. The I-beam support attaches where the panhard bar used to attach to. The results: his bro owns in addition a C4, handling is equivalent, no squeeks or rattles or noticeable flex. Cost was 5K including parts, biggest difficulty is correctly positioning the IRS. Once spring arrives, I'll be going to the same shop to do this install on my 4th gen. My '91 GTA will remain solid rear axle (although I've been upgrading the suspension for the Silver State Classic).
And as for stepping up to a C4/C5, for me that would be stepping down.
I don't mean to offend any 'Vette owners, but 'Vettes appearance is boring in my eyes. And I'm getting tired of the assumption that if we own a 4th gen, we just couldn't afford a C5. Let me debunk that as well. 
I'm 29, have a master's in EE, make enough money (and have enough saved) to buy a Viper for cash, let alone a C5. My second car was a 3rd gen (first was a diesel Rabbit), and I've been in love with these cars ever since. So when I bought my '01 WS6 T/A, I planned on finding a way to put in an IRS. Now, I can barely wait to do this mod.
Later, Dave '01 T/A, '91 GTA, '91 T/A (for sale, don't have time for 3 cars)
And as for stepping up to a C4/C5, for me that would be stepping down.
I don't mean to offend any 'Vette owners, but 'Vettes appearance is boring in my eyes. And I'm getting tired of the assumption that if we own a 4th gen, we just couldn't afford a C5. Let me debunk that as well. I'm 29, have a master's in EE, make enough money (and have enough saved) to buy a Viper for cash, let alone a C5. My second car was a 3rd gen (first was a diesel Rabbit), and I've been in love with these cars ever since. So when I bought my '01 WS6 T/A, I planned on finding a way to put in an IRS. Now, I can barely wait to do this mod.Later, Dave '01 T/A, '91 GTA, '91 T/A (for sale, don't have time for 3 cars)
Last edited by dnovotny; 12-16-2002 at 01:32 AM.
12-16-2002, 03:50 AM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Here
Posts: 239
Originally posted by dnovotny
I've looked into installing an IRS for a long time, recently got some answers, so let me debunk some misconceptions. I recently e-mailed a thirdgen.org member whose brother put in a C4 IRS for his 3rd gen GTA. He sent me lots of photos that show the mounting points, and its amazing how well it fits. Also, the mounts correspond to strong portions of the chassis, requiring little to no re-inforcement (although I'll put in a roll-bar with cross brace behind the rear shock mounts to re-inforce the I-beam attachment). The dog bones attach near the lower control arm mount. The stock shock attachment is re-used. The I-beam support attaches where the panhard bar used to attach to. The results: his bro owns in addition a C4, handling is equivalent, no squeeks or rattles or noticeable flex. Cost was 5K including parts, biggest difficulty is correctly positioning the IRS. Once spring arrives, I'll be going to the same shop to do this install on my 4th gen. My '91 GTA will remain solid rear axle (although I've been upgrading the suspension for the Silver State Classic).
And as for stepping up to a C4/C5, for me that would be stepping down. I don't mean to offend any 'Vette owners, but 'Vettes appearance is boring in my eyes. And I'm getting tired of the assumption that if we own a 4th gen, we just couldn't afford a C5. Let me debunk that as well. I'm 29, have a master's in EE, make enough money (and have enough saved) to buy a Viper for cash, let alone a C5. My second car was a 3rd gen (first was a diesel Rabbit), and I've been in love with these cars ever since. So when I bought my '01 WS6 T/A, I planned on finding a way to put in an IRS. Now, I can barely wait to do this mod.
Later, Dave '01 T/A, '91 GTA, '91 T/A (for sale, don't have time for 3 cars)
I've looked into installing an IRS for a long time, recently got some answers, so let me debunk some misconceptions. I recently e-mailed a thirdgen.org member whose brother put in a C4 IRS for his 3rd gen GTA. He sent me lots of photos that show the mounting points, and its amazing how well it fits. Also, the mounts correspond to strong portions of the chassis, requiring little to no re-inforcement (although I'll put in a roll-bar with cross brace behind the rear shock mounts to re-inforce the I-beam attachment). The dog bones attach near the lower control arm mount. The stock shock attachment is re-used. The I-beam support attaches where the panhard bar used to attach to. The results: his bro owns in addition a C4, handling is equivalent, no squeeks or rattles or noticeable flex. Cost was 5K including parts, biggest difficulty is correctly positioning the IRS. Once spring arrives, I'll be going to the same shop to do this install on my 4th gen. My '91 GTA will remain solid rear axle (although I've been upgrading the suspension for the Silver State Classic).
And as for stepping up to a C4/C5, for me that would be stepping down.
I don't mean to offend any 'Vette owners, but 'Vettes appearance is boring in my eyes. And I'm getting tired of the assumption that if we own a 4th gen, we just couldn't afford a C5. Let me debunk that as well. I'm 29, have a master's in EE, make enough money (and have enough saved) to buy a Viper for cash, let alone a C5. My second car was a 3rd gen (first was a diesel Rabbit), and I've been in love with these cars ever since. So when I bought my '01 WS6 T/A, I planned on finding a way to put in an IRS. Now, I can barely wait to do this mod.Later, Dave '01 T/A, '91 GTA, '91 T/A (for sale, don't have time for 3 cars)
Also, if switching from live to IRS isn't much better, why do vettes have IRS? This a newbie question I guess, just curious.