kcducttaper

I was just curious if anyone's swapped out the rear axle for a fully independent setup kinda like a vette.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Yup, been done; kinda ZACKLY LIKE a Vette.

Not quite zackly a "swap-out". Not for the faint of heart.

plum92_camaro

I've always been under the impression that IRS only gives you an advantage on rough surfaces. I doubt it would be worth the effort.

kcducttaper

It helps a bit getting the power on the ground from a dig and in hard corners. Basically, it's only worth it if you're trying to get every ounce of performance out of the car. I was just curious to see if anyone had done it - or ever better, a build thread about one.

penguinpanda0

But I've also heard that having the solid axle helps you corner better.... true?

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

I've heard solid axle corners better on flat roads, but independant suspension is better on rough surfaces (I have a 2008 charger and my 86 camaro.. The camaro is decent over bumps, but the charger is much much better/smoother and less "scary" lol)

kcducttaper

Have you done any mods to your rear end?

I'm ultimately looking for a suspension setup that is relatively comfy for normal every day driving, but can also put up a good fight with some of the foreign sports cars (S2000, Miata, Boxter, etc) in some track twisties on the weekend. I'll probably just go with an adjustable coilover or something (haven't looked into it too much really). An IRS was just a weird idea that popped into my head.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

My rear suspension is fully modded with Koni shocks, moog springs, adjustable tubular LCA with delsphere bushings, adjustable PHB with delsphere bushings, LCA relocation brackets, panhard bar relocation brackets to lower roll center, poly sway bar end links and bushings, rebuilt posi rear with 3.73's, relocated battery over rear, etc.. Rides a ton better than before the mods but still not like the IRS.

nomind

A well setup live axle in a thirdgen will definitely rival the cars that you've got listed. 1+g on street tires is possible in these cars. If you are really hell bound on the best setup for the rear, go for a watts link.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

That's debatable.. I installed UE's PHB relocation brackets (both on axle and body) and it lower the rear roll center by 4" (a bit too much for my taste.. now the car has slight wobbly rear handling, so I need to stiffen up the rear with stiffer springs) and the rear now grips equal to the front even under moderate to heavy throttle. It's HARD to spin out even if I try now, so, I can feel it about to understeer if I enter a corner TOO hard but mid corner and corner exit it grips phenominally. What I don't like is when I go from hard right to hard left the rear is slow to transition and I can feel the rear rolling whereas the front transitions immediately. A watts link setup looks good too and is bolt in, but is slightly heavier than my setup and I'm going for reduced weight as much as possible.

ws6transam

Many years ago, I too considered an IRS setup. Eventually I decided NOT to go that way because of all the extensive fabrication it would take to properly connect it to the chassis in order to keep everything solid and take advantage of the IRS.

I've seen prototypes by GM that were installed in 1994 4th-gen test mules at Pontiac World headquarters in 1996. GM was experimenting with them at the proving grounds, and it looked like some awesome fabrications. However, those dozen cars that I saw never made it out of the conceptual phase, as far as I know.

My experience is that unless you are really, really practicing at the track, you will not be able to drive well enough to note the advantage of an IRS and a well-tuned torque arm suspension. That's why I still run a Moser 12-bolt live axle... I only occasionally go to track days and can usually dice it with the M3's and the like. I do have some issues on really rough pavement, but I think it's really my 15 year-old shocks (and my lack of replacement of them).

Build a reliable axle, change the panhard and lower control arms; get some really good shocks, and tune them. Then spend the extra cash not on IRS fabrication, but on driving a thousand laps of your favorite raceway. That will probably be the most effective (and most fun) way of getting fast.

Of course, if it's mainly for the car show, then by all means, fire up the TIG and plasma cutter and grab your glory! I'd *love* to see a well-executed IRS retrofit.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

I think a member on here did one already pretty successfully.. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't "1meanZ" do one?

Flip 2

iTrader: (1)

He is the one.
Also, someone started putting a C5 irs in a 3rd Gen, and the project never was shown finished.... after LOTS of work, and many posts.
1meanz did a great job, but his thread shows mucho fabrication is involved. Get what you can out of your axle, and be happy. I put Viking shocks on the back.

IROCgiraffe

iTrader: (3)

Yup!

C4 Corvette rear suspension swap notes...