Sorry, but I might have to disagree with you there. Yes, in concept the idea of having a choice in SRA or IRS is a good one. However, the engineering and testing necessary would make it work in the real world is ridiculous. Plus, to make both work, you will have to make compromises in design for either (or both) systems.

The SN-95 IRS was a band-aid on a mid-70's architecture and could hardly be described as an ideal solution. But, since the chassis had been around so long (and Saleen did most of the IRS design work for their race cars), the engineering wasn't that expensive. To do it for the new Camaro, they would, in effect, have to create two different platforms. Test them both. Have two different sets of parts for the rear end, determine how many of each to make, reset the assembly line each time for the different rear end, etc. etc.

For a new car, that is too expensive, too time consuming and too many compromises for the small percentage that will actually take their cars drag racing hard enough to justify the SRA.

We would all love to tell manufacturers exactly how we want our specific car built, but, that just isn't going to happen. Besides, that is what the aftermarket is for.

 

Had to fix that for you

Naw, if the recent survey sent out by Ford is any indication (IRS, $200.00 option) its really not that bad, a few folks are thinking that something similar to the aussie control blade suspension might end up on the rear of the mustang (supposed to be a pretty good system) and then there is the plant where mustang is produced, somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but a FWD Mazda (6 IIRC) with IRS is produced along side the RWD Ford with SRA.

Ford said there is essentially 3 types of Mustang buyers (might hold true for Fbod buyers as well), one type didn't care what held up the rear, so long as it kept the gas tank from dragging on the ground, the second type prefered an IRS and the 3rd type wanted an SRA not only for drag racing, but among other things it was cheap to mod and very tough. Lucky for us SRA guys, the bean counters absolutely loved the 3rd type of mustang buyer. Hopefully Ford will get there collective crap together and offer some nice powerplants along with the SRA/IRS option, if they offered the TTV6 along with some nice V8 options in combination with the aforemention rear suspension choices, you could come up with some nice packages ranging from boulevard bruiser to an adept touring machine that is equally at home in the twisties (TTV6/IRS car).

 

I'm actually pretty optimistic about the Camaro having IRS. As long as it doesnt wheel hop like the 03/04 Cobras and GTO's, I'm fine with it. I have a feeling that the IRS will be stronger than the 7.5" 10 bolt we have, definitely an improvement. Remember, the 4th gen's are identical to the 3rd gens underneath. Back in 1982 a 7.5" 10 bolt and a tranny mounted torque arm were plenty to handle a 190hp 305.

There is another feature the 5th gens will have that's been absent for 30+ years: TRUE DUAL EXHAUST.

Jason

 

keep your fingers crossed for that one.

 

Oh Saleen, He built I believe 5 cars with IRS, none of which had any Mods for the IRS.The One I worked with was worse than factory. I hope he sticks to the dress ups and Transformers. I for one look forward to the potential the IRS give us. I know I'm the odd man but a 20 min. session on an open track at 130 mph plus tops a 12 second pass anyday. The new Zeta platform is going to open a lot of doors for the aftermarket. My biggest fear is the curb weight. Ford can't build a car without tacking on 3-4 hundred pounds. Case in point a 500 hp Mustang sounds great until you find it weighs 4000 lbs. Then the weight bias is nose heavy. I hope the boys with the bowties take que from that

 

Better pray for that LS7 option then, If all GM does is shove an S/C'd LS2 with no suspension mods or brake mods then your looking at probably looking at 100 to 150 pounds of extra weight with an air to water intercooler and supercharger rig, add in some nice brakes and that'll probably shoot to 150-200 lbs over the regular premium V8 car. You guys want a "mass neutral" car, its gonna cost you some bucks.

 

there will be no LS7 anymore when the Camaro is being built

 

Slow down. a big brake kit from Baer ships at 88 lbs minus the stock pieces, maybe adding 40lbs . Though the car is showing 15 inch rotors hopefully with PBR calipers. I want to see what stock yeilds first

I'll opt for upgrading the suspension over a Blower. In Open track Horsepower is secondary, give me N/A anyway. With the cost of a GT500 at $65,000 I'm banking on a much better package for less money.
Plus you can lose a couple hundred pounds by losing the "creature comforts "
That's cheaper than power adders

We'll see what the starting point is first

I'm looking forward to reviving The Unfair Adavantage Chevy once had ......

 

I don't really want to see the IRS mostly becasue I don't think it will retain that "muscle car" feel. I don't know about the rest of you, but I didn't buy my car because it rode like a Cadillac. Exactly the opposite to be honest. I like feeling everything the car is doing, even the car hopping over a bump under hard acceleration or the rattles that seem to transmit through EVERYTHING. I'm all for the idea of the IRS, but I just don't think it will "feel" like an F-Body if GM goes that route.

 

Ive Gotta Disagree with ya there I think that this car will diffinatively be a camaro Just with a Real 21st century touch unlike its counterpart the mustang the camaro remained on the same platform its whole life i welcome the changes and advancement that this new camaro brings

 

What if I loosen the bolts so it "feels" like its coming apart?

 

I'm just not getting it, conceptual plateform?

 

I'm sure it will drive very nicely, and it won't bounce so much in bumpy corners.

I just don't like the extra weight or cost.

 

I swear I read that somewhere; I think it was LS1tech... If the GTO platform is designed for duals, I would think the Camaro will be as it should be similar, if not the same.

Plus it goes in line with my point about the IRS being stronger than our 10 bolts. In 1982, the hot engine was a 305 making around 175hp. Performance in factory cars had hit rock bottom, and general sentiment was more towards mpg. A factory single exhaust was simply not much of an issue. Fast forward to 1993 when the 4th gens came out. GM was in financial shambles and in no shape to redesign the f-body platform. Restyling the body and adding the LT1 was about as much they could invest in the car. Now with GM on the upswing financially, performance cars at an all time high on popularity, and the aftermarket breaking into new levels of support, GM will at least fulfill the basics even if they are a small matter. One of these basics happens to be true dual exhaust.

This is why I'm convinced it will happen. My fingers are still crossed though.

Jason

 

That is the biggest concern I have for the IRS: strength. If you look at GM IRS cars like the CTS-V, GTO and C5/C6s many people are breaking them. I've seen a lot of people on ls1tech claim that a 10 bolt is stronger than them so many are breaking.