Thoughts on Ford Mustang going to an IRS?

june82000 · june82000's Garage

I know they had a prototype 2015 with an IRS setup; however I don't know if it will be produced. Probably not this time. What are your thoughts on this car having an IRS? Does it take away from the heritage of the car? Or would it be a step in the right direction? My personal opinion is that it would be a step in the right direction.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

There was a few years of SVT Mustang Cobra's (1999-2004 with the exception I think being the 2000 Cobra R) with an IRS. It was fairly easy to swap out and into a non IRS GT, since the mounting points were all the same.

They new Mustang does have an IRS and I think it is a step in the right direction.

As a side note I have two Mustangs in the garage, a 1966 I have owned since I was 17 and a 1992 LX 5.0 that is my daily driver.

Bill

gsxrken · gsxrken's Garage

I think its a mistake only in the sense that it'll push up the price for a market that could probably care less. Sure it'll probably be more compliant in the bumps but Kids can't afford a $40k-plus mustang GT.

june82000 · june82000's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSiple

There was a few years of SVT Mustang Cobra's (1999-2004 with the exception I think being the 2000 Cobra R) with an IRS. It was fairly easy to swap out and into a non IRS GT, since the mounting points were all the same.

They new Mustang does have an IRS and I think it is a step in the right direction.

As a side note I have two Mustangs in the garage, a 1966 I have owned since I was 17 and a 1992 LX 5.0 that is my daily driver.

Bill

Oh, so they are putting them in. BTW, I also have a 66 in the garage - fastback. I've had it for 13 years.

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june82000 · june82000's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxrken

I think its a mistake only in the sense that it'll push up the price for a market that could probably care less. Sure it'll probably be more compliant in the bumps but Kids can't afford a $40k-plus mustang GT.

From what I've read its about a $5k increase which isn't too bad...

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Nice June! Mines a pretty plain jane I6 coupe but I am the second owner. The little 20o I6 has been worked over pretty well. Is yours a K code 289?

Have they released the prices yet gsxr? I looked at new Shelby but it wasn't the cost that turned me off but the insurance. It was insane....

Bill

HardDrive · 04-14-2014, 03:41 PM

A friends brother is an engineer at Ford who works on drivetrains. He's somewhat senior. 2 weeks ago we were standing in my garage looking at my 997S, and he encouraged me to drive the 15 Mustang. He's flogged it already, and said the IRS is great.

june82000 · june82000's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSiple

Nice June! Mines a pretty plain jane I6 coupe but I am the second owner. The little 20o I6 has been worked over pretty well. Is yours a K code 289?

Have they released the prices yet gsxr? I looked at new Shelby but it wasn't the cost that turned me off but the insurance. It was insane....

Bill

Bill, mine is an A-code. I'm slowly doing an EFI/T5 swap but holding onto the original engine in case I ever sell, which is pointless because I won't lol...

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mattdavis11 · 04-14-2014, 05:08 PM

I can't imagine it becoming a production standard. Isn't the solid axle what holds the Rustang together after a few years anyway?

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

There's always a trade off with stuff like this.

On the minus side: price, and IRS is not as durable for hard launches that are so common in drag race scenarios. I am not into the 1/4 mile, but I believe the current setup of the 'stang is more desireable in that venue.

On the plus side: for racetracks that are not glass smooth, and for roads that are also not glass smooth, the IRS is more desireable and not only keeps the tires in better contact with the road surface, it also has a more complaint ride.

For the Northeast and me, an IRS Mustang makes more sense.

My $0.42,
-Z-man

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Look like I'll be the dissenter.
I'm really surprised Ford went with an IRS. The only reason I can fathom is it must not cost Ford any more to use the IRS. Think about it. A $5,000 IRS adds 15% to the price of a base Mustang GT. That's a lot. Does the IRS make the car perform better on a race track? Not really. Racetracks are smooth. Plus, how many people take their Mustang to the track anyway? Maybe the IRS is better on a highway? Again, not really, they're pretty smooth too. Secondary roads? Well, perhaps if it's a lumpy bumpy secondary road. But that argument falls apart easily. If around town ride is your criteria, would you be looking at Mustang GT, or a Fusion?

greglepore · 04-14-2014, 05:43 PM

Who cares how it handles on a racetrack...we spend 99% of our time on the road.

Overdue.

cockerpunk · 04-14-2014, 06:39 PM

it was long long long long overdue for it.

the last two generations of mustang were designed for it initially, before the bean counters had there way with it.

pavulon · 04-14-2014, 06:49 PM

Unless drag racing is the only concern, IRS done well is better than live axle done well. It seems not hugely different than recognizing an IFS is mucho better than a front live axle...but I'm not an (arrogant) engineer so there's that.

ted · ted's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

Who cares how it handles on a racetrack...we spend 99% of our time on the road.
Overdue.

track testing a sports car seem normal to me?

the lighter 305hp 4cyl turbo and irs is worth a look.
I'll take it for a test drive.
Gas 2 | Bridging the gap between green heads and gear heads.

onewhippedpuppy · 04-14-2014, 07:17 PM

Overdue. And I strongly doubt that it adds $5k to the cost of a new Mustang. Many RWD IRS cars have and do sell for less than the Mustang. A loaded 2014 5.0 is already a $40k car, so it's not exactly an econobox. I look forward to seeing how much better it makes the Mustang, which was already the sports car of the domestic muscle cars.

71scgc · 04-15-2014, 04:26 AM

Loooonnnnggg overdue!!!

The guy that built my 'vette's diff can build one that can handle 1000+ hp. Many on drag strips around the country.
An IRS can be built to take a very hard launch.

They had to do something to compete with the Camaro. Solid axle 'stangs just won't do it.

Daddy will pay for it....

Carter

Sarc · 04-15-2014, 05:35 AM

Looking forward to the new model. I've been starting to see them around here and there. Real nice proportions in person.

DanielDudley · 04-15-2014, 05:48 AM

I'm thinking this will make this generation of Mustangs more affordable, so have at it.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Does the IRS make the car perform better on a race track? Not really. Racetracks are smooth. Plus, how many people take their Mustang to the track anyway? Maybe the IRS is better on a highway? Again, not really, they're pretty smooth too. Secondary roads? Well, perhaps if it's a lumpy bumpy secondary road. But that argument falls apart easily. If around town ride is your criteria, would you be looking at Mustang GT, or a Fusion?

Hmm - I take it you haven't been to Lime Rock (pre-repave from a couple of years ago), Watkins Glen, Pocono, Summit Point...etc. Except for VIR, Mid-Ohio, and perhaps Monticello, there is no such thing as a smooth track in the northeast! I haven't been, but from what I recall, Sebring is pretty bumpy too.

Have you been to the Northeast lately? I take Rt. 80 to work every day here in North NJ - and let me tell you -- people have developed a new skill - driving at 75MPH and negociating a slalom-like course of pot holes that are placed across the four-lane highway!

There are some areas of our country where the highways and racetrack are not glass smooth, and where the hero doesn't always ride off into the sunset with his gal...

-Z-man.