IRS for a 71 Camaro

[Flush 71]

Has anyone tried putting an independent rear suspension from another car into their second gen? I would really like to do this for coilovers adjustabilty in the rear!

[srh3trinity]

Heidts makes a bolt in IRS. Haven't seen a complete second Gen build with IRS.

[Flush 71]

Thanks, its a really cool design but 8k seems a bit steep, Ive been looking into some modern muscle rear ends from a terminator cobra and a gto for this idea but haven't actually done any measurements yet!

[exwestracer]

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...35-2nd-Gen-IRS

350Z

[solarguy09]

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...35-2nd-Gen-IRS

350Z

Seriously, you can put that much power with a 350Z rear end ?? 400HP plus ?

I just wanna know, because then i will beat the wife's 350Z some more...I have been Gentle..

My 71 Z/28, I went with coil over fronts, and some of the best parts for a leaf spring set up..

But good to know about the 350Z..

[srh3trinity]

I forgot about the 350z build. I haven't heard of the GTO rears getting high marks.

[exwestracer]

If you're into the engineering, you can always take an older Vette center and scratch build the rest.

[BMR Sales]

Brandon, I searched for some details on your car and I abbreviated some of a post you had.......

Hi my name is Brandon I have a 1971 SS Camaro, but to be exact it's a 1970 and a 1/2 being that it's an SS with a solid bumper.


As the years went on she became a garage queen only driven once every couple of weeks. I lost interest in muscle and got into the drifting/hellaflush scene. The only real ideas I have so far are to make a pro-touring stlyed car with a twist of the hellaflush design hence the name of the project and about 800whp.

First of all, nice car and it is great that it was your moms 1st car too! Anyway are you set on going with IRS for a specific reason? Do you plan to drift this car once you get the LS motor in it?

[overZealous1]

i'm doing a 350z rear in my 67. i used to own a built motor, tt, nitroused 350z. yes, they will hold tons of power!! up to 1000hp axles available and more brake and link options out there than you can shake a stick at!! auto's had a 3.3, while 6spd's were 3.5 ratio. whole thing is modular and bolts in with 4 bolts. if you use coilovers you will not need to worry about making upper spring cups, just mount coilovers to a roll bar or do a pushrod set up and lay them flat. excellant option for a independant swap. geometry is awesome. if you are going over 500hp i would only worry about changing the wheel studs. i snapped a few.
btw- there are 350z guys running low 8 1/4's on the rear with just upgraded axles, they are not weak!!!

you can find complete rears for as low as $400!!!!

[Protour_Pinto]

If you are on areal tight budget you can always go the Jag route. Cheap at your local pick a part, easy to adapt to a simple subframe. lots of parts around.

[exwestracer]

If you are on areal tight budget you can always go the Jag route. Cheap at your local pick a part, easy to adapt to a simple subframe. lots of parts around.

The Jag has some inherent power and handling issues that may become painfully apparent in a modern PT type car. Yes it was the standard in IRS for years, but time has kind of passed it by...

[Protour_Pinto]

exwestracer, What would be considered inherent power and handling issues? Maybe my car was light enough or I didnt have the chance to push it to its limits but I felt it met my expectations.

I built a similar car a long time ago with a corvette suspension. That one turned out ok also but the cost between the two when I built the Pinto was too great to justify the vette over the jag.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Is the 350Z rear strong enough as is? Makes me question why this guy went to so much trouble (unless just for the quick gear change capability).

[exwestracer]

exwestracer, What would be considered inherent power and handling issues? Maybe my car was light enough or I didnt have the chance to push it to its limits but I felt it met my expectations.

I built a similar car a long time ago with a corvette suspension. That one turned out ok also but the cost between the two when I built the Pinto was too great to justify the vette over the jag.

Never said it won't still work... The design has inherent limits in brake size, caster control, and tire capacity. There is a REASON mfrs have stopped building suspensions with no UCA...

These days it's no big deal to see 700+ hp and 300+ rear tire section. IMO, that's more than the Jag is reliably up to...and breaking a U-joint coming off a corner is disastrous.

[exwestracer]

Is the 350Z rear strong enough as is? Makes me question why this guy went to so much trouble (unless just for the quick gear change capability).

THAT is just weird... The quick change is FAR from the best choice for shock load. Maybe it was the only "big" housing that would fit...or he's going to Bonneville.

[overZealous1]

ya, no reason he would need to swap the center. judging by the cage though, it's definately going to have a "special" purpose. the rear links i can see are stock. rear floor pan and rear panel all cut out also.
i ran mine constantly at 550rwhp and 305 rears and it never had probs. look up vids on youtube. guys were running 8's on them with just upgraded axles and drag coilovers. never heard of anything break other than an axle. but those were guys who side stepped the clutch, and stock axles.

[MonzaRacer]

I personally like the 89 up Tbird/cougar set up with 8.8 center works well AND you can get parts to swap in a modded 9 in center section if your smart enough,,forget who makes the stubs for a 9 in but pretty sure Moser could do something.
and the Ford set up is pretty cool as it has toe and camber adjustment and mods can give you more,,and a 8.8 CAN take some real power,,only weak link are CV axles.

[SLO_Z28]

I really dont get why people do this swap. Tell me how this is better than a proper floater setup?

[BMR Sales]

Paging Brandon......... Are you out there Brandon?

[Bryce]

I really dont get why people do this swap. Tell me how this is better than a proper floater setup?

Becasue its different and cool??

James, I know you know this....There are always compromises in suspension design, an IRS can be a little softer sprung with the same handling as a solid axle. Just like going from leafs to links and coilovers. IRS can have static camber and camber gain, but the benefits would only be seen if you were driving the car at the 100% of its ability.