IRS limitations.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 797
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IRS limitations.
Hey gang. I got into a discussion tonight with a local Corvette Club member and now seek your guidance. I told him of my plans to build a 500 hp motor with a 150-200 shot of nitrous for the track. He said that the IRS will not hold up to that kind of power. Is there any way to beef it up so that it will? I know Tom's Differrentials does some pretty serious stuff, but I just had the rear axle completely rebuilt. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: philly pa
Re: IRS limitations. (Last Ride)
hey hey
well heres my list of thing that are in the works for me--- i have a '75. some may be obvious and already considered.
i read something over the weekend about someone blowing their u-joints cause they used the ones with zerk fittings. i have solid ones on mine and never had a problem with them-- guess i'll find out for sure when i finish my engine.
definitley run half shaft loops. also upgrade the drive shaft to a larger diamter with the larger u-joints. (at least mine came with a small diameter driveshaft with tiny u-joiints).
weld up the entire seam on the T/A's if you're running stock ones.
use polyurethane, or even better nylon bushings (if it's race only).
the obvious-- HD rear cover. did you rebuild your rear with all new grade 8 bolts?
run HD yokes instead of the u-bolt ones.
6 link rear set-up.
1/2" wheel studs.
welded in rear frame supports
hope those are some help. :chevy
well heres my list of thing that are in the works for me--- i have a '75. some may be obvious and already considered.
i read something over the weekend about someone blowing their u-joints cause they used the ones with zerk fittings. i have solid ones on mine and never had a problem with them-- guess i'll find out for sure when i finish my engine.
definitley run half shaft loops. also upgrade the drive shaft to a larger diamter with the larger u-joints. (at least mine came with a small diameter driveshaft with tiny u-joiints).
weld up the entire seam on the T/A's if you're running stock ones.
use polyurethane, or even better nylon bushings (if it's race only).
the obvious-- HD rear cover. did you rebuild your rear with all new grade 8 bolts?
run HD yokes instead of the u-bolt ones.
6 link rear set-up.
1/2" wheel studs.
welded in rear frame supports
hope those are some help. :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,448
Likes: 664
From: Republic of Texas
Re: IRS limitations. (Last Ride)
I would consult Tom's differential. The guy in this photo is running a IRS, look close and you'll see the mono spring under the rear. He's making a heck of a lot more than 500hp. :yesnod:
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: philly pa
Re: IRS limitations. (blue_stingray)
almost forgot...
check the alignment of the halfshafts in relation to the rear.. anything more than 5 degrees towards front or back puts a lot of strain on the u-joints. it takes a little time to set-up, but it'll help. little hard to explain right now, sorry if it doen't make sence.
also, i machined alumnum discs with a step for the upper rear crossmember mounts. i think the discs that are sold in aftermarket catalogs are flat, i machined mine to fit real snug INSIDE of the rubber bushings on the crossmember. my next step is to fabricate a crossmember without the rubber bushings to eliminate play in the rear suspension.
check the alignment of the halfshafts in relation to the rear.. anything more than 5 degrees towards front or back puts a lot of strain on the u-joints. it takes a little time to set-up, but it'll help. little hard to explain right now, sorry if it doen't make sence.
also, i machined alumnum discs with a step for the upper rear crossmember mounts. i think the discs that are sold in aftermarket catalogs are flat, i machined mine to fit real snug INSIDE of the rubber bushings on the crossmember. my next step is to fabricate a crossmember without the rubber bushings to eliminate play in the rear suspension.
