Well, it looks like things are finally coming together...and we might have a possible solution.

However, in order to justify the costs of further development, we'd like to, at the very least, gauge interest first.

So, with a show of hands... who'd be interested in an IRS conversion kit for your car... and how much would you be willing to pay? Please post.

Hope to hear some positive responses.

To the mods: this is non-profit right now, so please don't boot. If we do end up marketing the kit, we will become a supporting advertiser.

Daniel Keen

 

Some more information (as requested in other threads, and sorry for the cross-posting):

The diff at this time is the Ford 8.8, giving a wide range of posi options and more strength than the stock 10-bolt.

My intention is to have a unit comparable to the C5 in terms of performance.

The IRS will be designed by a Cornell University graduate with a Masters in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He has done several like projects - even pushrod actuated suspensions.

Thanks for the responses - right now we were just making sure we had some market. We're broke at the moment, so any development money is expensive to us Basically we wanted to make sure we could sell some before investing in some half-cars to work on this.

Thanks,
Dan
(Sorry about the website... Time Warner has decided to not work anymore...)

 

Here's how I would do it... design a complete frame, this way we can cut off the frame horns on the front, and have a well built and low weight front end coupled with an IRS system, I have designs and whatnot in my 400page+ sketchbook. It can bolt to the frame similar to a subframe connector, but it deletes a lot of the body parts in the front and allows for bigger tires, better header clearance and will still remain safe in a front impact with its carbon/aramid crashbox which also ties the two front frame rails together.

 

I'd be interested in a reasonably priced unit that could hold a bit of power and improved the handling. Would it be a lighter setup then a 12 bolt or 9" rear? That would be a big bonus too.

Chris

 

I don't imagine it would retain ABS?

 

Seriously, keep us or atleast me updated on the progress and possible price

 

Will do, but it's a slow process - don't hold your breath

Dan

 

Well a nice wish list would be

Readily availible replacement parts
ABS for both 3 and 4 channel cars
Detriot locker and Torsen options for a diff.
Strong half shafts or CV joints to hold 600-700hp
Keep it at least around the weight of the 10 bolt if not lighter
either a quailty coil over or something that can be gotten from one of the major manufacturers.

As far as tieing it in with the rest of the car I would imagine that its going to require a lot of bracing and welding anyway so that shouldn't be a problem to tie it in with the rest of the car. Hell at that point I would think most of the cars would also have some sort of cage in the car. Or it could be tied into the rear shock mounts.


but thats just me

 

I would be interested as I was looking at just dropping a C4 rear in mine in the future, If price is comparable to a 12 bolt, or slightly more expensive I'm sure it would sell like crazy, of course ease of installation, (I can't envision it being to easy) is an isue as well

 

I am also looking at the C4 rearend. I know it'll take a lot of fabbing, and I'm not in any hurry. I have to wait until my car is paid for.

 

This would be a great setup for people that could use the benefits of IRS. I look forward to the future developments.

 

This was a topic about 2-3 years ago. I inqiured here about it often. I KNOW for a fact its been done on 3rd gens. I have an article somewhere in one my hundreds of car magazines where they did testing on a bunch of 3rd gens and one was (I think) a Formula with an IRS from a vette that the guy did himself.

I tried to talk to these guys about doing it back then because they were close to me but they told me that the cost would be to high and at the time I was just trying to feel out the project myself. Then again they want $200,000+ for an R5.

Anyway there was someone that was trying to make a kit. But with cutting into the frame and all that would have to be done there was sceptisism on whether the average Joe could do it and the cost of having it done by someone.

But if something can be made thats a for sure kit made well and a reasonable price. I'm in.

Z~

 

It has been done on the 3rd gens a few times, GM did it on the firefox, that one co. did it, and then another individual did it as well, so three times that I know of for sure, given that our rear set up is the same it can be done on the 4th gen.

 

But the problem is making a kit. And thats been the problem in the past.

Z~

 

I think a kit idea is out of the question, there is a lot of weight that will be added to the car, now, unless you can use a transaxle at the rear and take the transmission weight off the front/middle of the car and move it towards the rear, then I think you have something. Otherwise like I said, its just a bunch of weight sitting there.

I'll do some plans, scan them and show you guys something I have in mind.