Corvette IRS Adaptation

So this is pretty cool: https://www.google.com/amp/www.hotrod.com/articles/bolt-corvette-irs-suspension-project/amp/

Looks like a much more cost effective solution for those who would love an IRS in the back of their car but can't afford Heidt's or Art Morrison's prices. I priced it out, and the IRS, Dobbertin's adapter kit, a used Camaro rear diff and Dobbertin mounting kit, upgraded C6 axles, and a custom one-piece driveshaft will cost around 5.5-6.5 grand altogether. Seems like a fairly good and effective deal to me, if you don't mind using GM parts in your old Mopar.

The guy who built the C6 Corvette chassis with the Duster body on it is gearing up to make something similar and hopefully cheaper than Dobbertins kit. C5/6 set ups are plentiful and relatively cheap with good brakes.

That'd be cool, I just wonder if it would be equal to or exceed the quality or make the setup easier. Did that Duster owner ever talk about how his setup performed compared to other options?

You would be happier, safer, and faster. just buying a new vette.

Sure but that isn't the point :P I want a resto mod E-body, and this is a good option for the rear suspension

Depends on the horsepower you will put in front of it. I just removed a C4 rear end from our 71 Barracuda because it just wouldn't hold up the 700 plus hp in front of it. The fit was good though

Not planning to go above 600 horsepower, most likely in the mid-500 range. I'm also led to believe that the ZO6 rear with an adapted 5th gen Camaro 12 bolt diff stands up to a lot more power than earlier generation Corvette IRS's.

Yeah...I have that realization every time I wake up in a cold sweat after dreaming about an ND Miata RF with an LS swap. Reality has a way of sucking the fun out of everything.

So yeah...the idea of swapping in a Vette rear suspension into a beloved Mopar is extremely intriguing. That said, what makes these old Mopars so great is that they are legitimately great performance platforms just as they are! Of course SRA suspension has significant disadvantages, especially over rough surfaces...but working around the weaknesses of your chosen platform is half the fun, no?

So my Dodge has been a loyal friend, a perpetual source of fun, the subject of 75% of my materialistic fantasies for more than half of my life...I guess my point is, I want my Dart Sport to be a great driving, solid handling backroads battler. I want my car, with its basic form (solid axle, torsion bars up front, Mopar small block V8) to be the best that it can be without becoming something entirely new. The Vette suspension swap is one step too far removed...this would no longer be MY Dart.

So yeah...the idea of a Mopar/Corvette chimera is really cool but it takes up a whole different place in my car fantasies and if I was going to build a freak of nature, I think I would rather put that effort into something that needs more help begin with and/or maybe something less precious and rare.

How about a first gen RX-7? Chrysler Conquest/Mitsu Starion? How about a 1997-2002 LS powered Trans Am? What about a Magnum powered Dakota?

I had two c4 IRS's on the shelf for the same expected upgrade, but reality set in all I would have is an old outdated vette IRS, that still would not handle the power. They got sold.

Today on the shelf is a Cad CTS V IRS, that If I proceed, will get the center changed out for something beefier. Does that make sense, only to me.

High Performance Mopar magazine (remember them) did a Conquest small block conversion way back in the '90s that was uber cool. I think I saved all the articles on it as I entertained a Stealth-V8 conversion fantasy for a time.

My take on all these conversions are that they are cool and provide a lot of wow. However, IMO, the original AAR/TA race suspensions were stock based capable of handling that exceeds the driving ability of the vast majority of us. Adapting their formulas can create a very capable car.

Here is the facebook link to their webpage. No, they are not the works of art that Dobbertin's are and they are a generic bolt in, not mopar specific.
https://www.facebook.com/niterestorationsllc/

You bring up a good point. Forgoing the IRS wouldn't only be less costly, it'd be more classic. But the cool factor and increased performance still really intrigues me...gaahhh, too many cool performance options out there today

What car do you have? Would a CTS V rear end possibly work better than a C6 rear in an E-body?

The rear upgrade I favor with the CTS is a QC, that will have to be my first step, and they take up a lot of space. I have three cars that are in the running when I make my final decision, a wide body 62 Lancer, a 72 dart, or a 72 E body, E is currently the most likely, depending how satisfied I am with the QC install.

The C6 install is not ground breaking enough for me.

What do you mean by QC? And you have fun with trying to make this work :P I'll stick to the simpler solution

http://1speedway.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=65

That sounds like a neat idea until you remember that this is the 2009+ CAMARO IRS too!

Just kidding. I have no problem with Camaros. It might be a good option.

Is anyone contemplating the mass delta here? While a Dana60 or Mopar 8.75" are not light weight pieces, the CV joints, suspension arms, etc. from an IRS will likely will add some mass and introduce additional failure points...and almost certainly wouldn't be as strong.

Just a thought.

But ultimate strength with an IRS, in a non strip car, is usually not a primary concern, handling, ride, reduction of unsprung mass, improved kinematics, etc move a lot higher on the list of advantages.

I would be inclined for a set of 7050t7451 billet upper and lower control arms that bolt in...to the front to start with...

man oh man a bolt in C5/C6 suspension? sign me up! New mod just got added to my want list lol

This sounds good to me also

there is always the jaguar xj6 option---center section dana 44----every performance option available thanks to the jeep crowd---stronger than a 9" or any other gm rear end.....cheaper too.....

Im currently building my custom IRS using a new aluminum Ford 8.8" IRS center from 99-04 Mustang cobras with 31 spline inner billet stub axles, shafts, and 33 spline outer billet stub axles for 09+ Corvette ZR1 SKF hubs, from the driveshaft shop rated at 1800rwhp.

Lots of aftermarket gear and carrier selections for the 8.8" and its more than strong enough for any amount of power u can possibly put to the pavement in a road racing setup!

When why do the Cobra types end up swapping back to the regular live axle 8.8 setup? Because the IRS one can't handle the power without serious upgrades and even then.

All the info you care to read

https://www.svtperformance.com/forums/threads/the-irs-tech-article.213384/

Thats all based on the factory cobra IRS stuff...the only thing I am using is the 8.8" differential itself. There isnt any issues with that, all the problems the cobra guys had dont pertain to my setup. Solid mounted 8.8", in a full tube chassis with custom control arms mounted with spherical bearing ends & heim ends, custom spindles, penske shocks, splined sway bars, oil cooler, etc...

What I was meaning was the 8.8" ring and pinion itself is a very stout design. All the rubber and flex that was in the stock cobras was half their issues. Also IRS will never be as effective in drag racing environments where alot of issues arise too. My setup is for road racing...no straight line crap, hence why were in corners are best forums!

I'm parting out a 2004 Z06 if anyone is interested?

Damon