Anybody dragging IRS 8.8's

[beertestr]

I am considering running my own version of an 8.8" based IRS on my 53. I know some guys are running mid90's MKVIII's and the later Cobra's with IRS. My big concern is upgradeablility of the halfshafts. I have Supercoupe halfshafts, so I have what used to be considered the beefier CV joints.

Anybody know what the good setup is these days? I am open on the outer wheel bearing if that helps, I am building my own hubs.

I am not looking for 9's in the truck, 11.51 is the fastest I plan to push the truck.. FWIW, the truck currently weighs 3300#..

 

[TWISTED]

I think the 03/04 cobras have the strongest half shafts. Check out SVT performance for the "red pill" upgrades for the IRS.

 

[beertestr]

I think the 03/04 cobras have the strongest half shafts. Check out SVT performance for the "red pill" upgrades for the IRS.

I'll look into it. I actually have shorter half shafts to accomodate the track width on my truck. I used Factory Five Halfshafts, and reused the CV joints. I'll have to see if the spline count is the same, or if FFR has upgraded shafts now..

Thanks.

 

[soap]

It all depends on what tire you plan to run. If you are going to race on slicks you can leave everything stock and run mid 11's forever. If you plan to run drag radials, I have seen bone stock cars snapping them at the line.

You need a tire to absorb the shock no matter how many upgrades you do. Case in point, guy from MI just posted this on Modular Fords tonight after putting in a set of DSS Level 5 half shafts ($1750) in his Terminator.......

Second gear burnout was a success... Staging was a success.... missed the tree and had a .178 reaction time on at 2000 rpm launch....driverside level 5 with chromoly inners snapped at the line..fail. Pics to come when I pull the shaft! I guess I learn the hard way or maybe I didn't spend enough money and should have got the pro level ones for $1999...yeah right!

--Joe

 

[beertestr]

I'm okay with running a tire with some give. The street tires are 15" smoothies, so any brake package will have to accomodate a 15" tire.

It'll be a while until I get to those speeds/e.t.'s anyway.

Little background on the truck:

53 F-100
M-II IFS, All steel body.
With the narrowed 9" and Centerline wheels (15x12 in back 15x6 up front), a 5.0 carb'd with GT40 (not P) heads, F303 cam, MAC equal length shorties/T5 drivetrain, and not much interior the truck weighed 3260 without my fat ass in it.
Motor is the quintessential late-90's street 5.0 build. Add an Explorer or GT40 intake and bigger TB and I am there Makes sense since I built the motor in 1998. 12 years later it might have 1500 miles on it.. likely less.

I started to build an IRS setup for it, based on a T-bird/Cougar/MkViii rear suspension, but put the truck aside to work on other projects... 8 years ago.
I am thinking I want to do something a little more different, and want a beam axle, but I still want to use some of my IRS parts. The answer is a DeDion setup. I have it sketched up, but want to make sure I pick wheel bearings and hubs that can accomodate a decent CV joint for future power upgrades.

I plan to put an LS motor into the truck, not sure if it'll stay manual trans (t5 will have to go) or if I will go with a carb and 700R4 setup.. we'll see. If an LS goes in, it'll be a 450-500HP setup, hence the 11.50's kinda e.t. questions.

If the DeDion setup goes horribly awry with busted halfshafts, I can go to an Explorer rear, the width is spot on for what I need.

Good links for Cobra driveline info?