SN95 rear suspension stuff

I've got a 95 GT Conv. and I'd like a suspension setup for the street that locates the axle decently, includes about 1.25 inches of lowered ride height from stock, and gives a decent ride. I don't have a high opinion of the Cobra IRS for track use, is it "good enough" for street? I've also looked at a panhard & torque arm setup and they sound nice but they're costly.

I don't know what it would cost me to acquire a complete IRS and have it delivered to my door. Should I consider that route or just consign myself to the panhard? I've got some time, would like to start into this maybe in August or September. At the same time I'd like to lower the front of the car about the same amount so spring rates to get this all accomplished need to be considered as well.

Unless you can get a complete "take-off" Cobra suspension (which would give you the desired F&R drop + IRS), I wouldn't bother with it.

I'd look into the bolt-on Panhard bar setups and do the poor-man's 3-link (new LCA's, take 1 UCA off, dump quad shocks). You should be able to do that and get a set of springs (I'd recommend Mach 1 or Bullitt take-offs) for around $1000 (less if you shop used).

Surf on over to corner carvers and use the search function and start reading. There is a wealth of info over there on this. Just mind the "rules" when / if you post. There is a very low tolerance for those that think they do not apply to them. Sea-bass recipes will ensue.

In reply to Javelin:

Bullit rear springs with a 3 link? Seems like the rate won't be high enough with the bind removed to match the front. And everything I read about the poor-man's seemed negative; bushings getting torn up from halving the number of bushing up top carrying loads and suspension moving through an odd arch with the panhard & triangulated upper control arms both installed at once.

You sure about all this? I'm wondering what a junk yard would want for a complete take off Cobra IRS...

In reply to pres589:

Not sure, I've never done the 3-link myself, just heard good things about it (but that was awhile ago). My last fox car had aftermarket UCA's and LCA's, no quads, and no panhard but did have a RSB (it was a drag car though).

What seems like a great cheap way to go would be something like the Evolution Motorsports third link that basically gives a single UCA in place of the pair using a transverse bridge between stock mounting points, only with bushings instead of heim joints for NVH issues. But it seems like Evo Motorsports has been dead for a while and no one else has tried to market something like what I'm talking about. But that kind of piece plus a panhard should be a good way to go, I think, if it were available.

So can anyone else weigh in on the poor man's 3rd link? I know there are a couple guys around here running Fox/SN95 cars.

The Cobra IRS pretty much bolts right in. IIRC you have to drill 2 holes and that's about it. I have a friend who put one in his SVO with complete Maximum Motorsports suspension throughout on the front and all the improvement bits for the IRS. Friggin thing was in the weeds and handled like it was on rails. A Vette killed it, but now the suspension is living in a '78 Fairmont Wagon. LOL

Maximum Motorsports has the stuff you need, it's not crazy expensive, but it's not dirt cheap either. It does bolt right in though.

We have two fox LeMons cars. Our 84 Turbo Coupe has the stock rear suspension set up with cut springs, and a better sway bar. It's drivable, and reasonably predictable. Our Fairmont Wagon has a pm3l with quad shocks and cut down fairmont front springs in the rear (400lb before cutting). It's stiff as hell, but handles beautifully. It has the equivalent parts to a 2004 Cobra in the front.

I'd lean towards the Maximum torque arm or the Steeda 5-link.