IRS conversion in LS1 Camaro
IRS conversion in LS1 Camaro I am looking to get some information on what is needed as well as costs involved in swapping in an IRS rear end in my 02 Camaro. I tried doing a search but i found little that helped. I know there have been threads on this before, but maybe im just not trying the right keywords. Can anyone shed some light on this with some pics, personal experience, or write-ups to get me in the right direction.
I dont have a budget or a time table for this project. Im just doing a little homework for now. I know that IRS is less power than solid rear, but my car isnt going to be a track queen. Im really just trying to get the Camaro to handle better and perhaps have a smoother ride quality.
I dont have a budget or a time table for this project. Im just doing a little homework for now. I know that IRS is less power than solid rear, but my car isnt going to be a track queen. Im really just trying to get the Camaro to handle better and perhaps have a smoother ride quality.
For the work involved the difference in handling will be negligible. Lets keep in mind that I am not on here to talk you out of the swap, you asked a question and I'm going to help you in your quest. There are threads on here about a guy who put a C4 Corvette IRS assembly into his LT1 style Formula. There was a TON of welding and fabrication involved, and the quality of the project turned out great! Keep in mind that this guy also re-routed his exhaust to go around the IRS components (I think it went under them if I am not mistaken). Do a search and look for those pictures, I know I am fine with my solid rear. Good luck on your project.
For the work involved the difference in handling will be negligible. Lets keep in mind that I am not on here to talk you out of the swap, you asked a question and I'm going to help you in your quest. There are threads on here about a guy who put a C4 Corvette IRS assembly into his LT1 style Formula. There was a TON of welding and fabrication involved, and the quality of the project turned out great! Keep in mind that this guy also re-routed his exhaust to go around the IRS components (I think it went under them if I am not mistaken). Do a search and look for those pictures, I know I am fine with my solid rear. Good luck on your project.
these were the pics
You're right quite a bit of work was involved in the C4 IRS in Jay's 94 Formula. Someday I will put one in my car, until then here are some more pictures:
Last edited by tbird31; Mar 4, 2009 at 07:51 PM.
Do you know if he had abs/tcs in that car? Did he keep it working? Also do I see a rear sway bar in there? Looks like one running right behind the top of the cross member above the diff.
It's a great install, I wonder much different that car feels now.
It's a great install, I wonder much different that car feels now.
The car did not come with traction control and we yanked the ABS during the build.
Yes that is a rear sway bar above the rear diff, custom brackets were fabricated to mount the swaybar. The car handles like an absolute dream.
Yes that is a rear sway bar above the rear diff, custom brackets were fabricated to mount the swaybar. The car handles like an absolute dream.
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Just an FYI, and I went into great detail in one of the other threads, I doubt that IRS will handle better than a well set up live-axle in our cars. I road race mine against Vipers, C4s, C5s, and RX-7s with V8s. Although I've cursed my shocks and torque arm before, I've never wanted to do a conversion.
About the most extreme you should want is to throw away the torque arm and try a 3-link.
About the most extreme you should want is to throw away the torque arm and try a 3-link.
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Verdad Gallardo What all do you have done to your car in order ot make it handle? I have just about everything except shocks/ springs and struts. I know tires are a big issue too and right now mine are only fairly good.
After that, wheels and tires are big parts of the handling equation.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
List your suspension mods, I have a feeling you probably have some parts that are hurting more than helping.
As stated, the shocks matter--LOTS. And now having accrued more time with a Watts link installed, it's amazing how much more stuck the back of the car feels, particularly on the road.... In all honesty, the difference in the way the car tracks is nothing short of an amazing change.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
Yes, here is a list of all my parts. All are from summit racing.
EDL-5204 -Edelbrock LCA's
EDL-5280 -Edelbrock Trq Arm
GRN-500001 -PHB non adjustable
HSS-2006 -Shock tower brace
PTP-7-1604-BL -Poly urithane tranny mount
SLE-70801 -SLP bolt in subframe connectors
STQ-52080 -Front 1 3/8 in. /Rear 1 in. sway bars.
EDL-5204 -Edelbrock LCA's
EDL-5280 -Edelbrock Trq Arm
GRN-500001 -PHB non adjustable
HSS-2006 -Shock tower brace
PTP-7-1604-BL -Poly urithane tranny mount
SLE-70801 -SLP bolt in subframe connectors
STQ-52080 -Front 1 3/8 in. /Rear 1 in. sway bars.
Last edited by Black02LS1; Apr 10, 2009 at 01:10 PM.
Quoting part numbers isn't very helpful, it just means anyone willing to help has to chase down the specifics about what you have.....
All poly LCA's bind the axle in roll, they are best for drag only, we do not use them for the best handling. If you're rear swaybar is a 1" unit (and yours is), it's too much IMO and makes the rear of the car stiffer, and worse over bumps too. Lousy shocks makes the car bad over bumps.
I've seen enough to know why you think you need an IRS, because from what I see you've done about everything right to make a solid axle car act like an empty 1-ton pick-up truck.
All poly LCA's bind the axle in roll, they are best for drag only, we do not use them for the best handling. If you're rear swaybar is a 1" unit (and yours is), it's too much IMO and makes the rear of the car stiffer, and worse over bumps too. Lousy shocks makes the car bad over bumps.
I've seen enough to know why you think you need an IRS, because from what I see you've done about everything right to make a solid axle car act like an empty 1-ton pick-up truck.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
LCA's with poly bushings at both ends are hurting you.
Also, just adding aftermarket sways is not necessarily helping much. Different isn't always better. (I'm not looking up all those part numbers to see what they are)
But as was said, by far, the BIGGEST improvement will come from shocks.
When you're ready to buy, you'll be well served to call Strano. He won't sell you something you don't need, and his prices are very fair.
Also, just adding aftermarket sways is not necessarily helping much. Different isn't always better. (I'm not looking up all those part numbers to see what they are)
But as was said, by far, the BIGGEST improvement will come from shocks.
When you're ready to buy, you'll be well served to call Strano. He won't sell you something you don't need, and his prices are very fair.
Quoting part numbers isn't very helpful, it just means anyone willing to help has to chase down the specifics about what you have.....
All poly LCA's bind the axle in roll, they are best for drag only, we do not use them for the best handling. If you're rear swaybar is a 1" unit (and yours is), it's too much IMO and makes the rear of the car stiffer, and worse over bumps too. Lousy shocks makes the car bad over bumps.
I've seen enough to know why you think you need an IRS, because from what I see you've done about everything right to make a solid axle car act like an empty 1-ton pick-up truck.
All poly LCA's bind the axle in roll, they are best for drag only, we do not use them for the best handling. If you're rear swaybar is a 1" unit (and yours is), it's too much IMO and makes the rear of the car stiffer, and worse over bumps too. Lousy shocks makes the car bad over bumps.
I've seen enough to know why you think you need an IRS, because from what I see you've done about everything right to make a solid axle car act like an empty 1-ton pick-up truck.
I just watched your SCCA wins on youtube. Damn thats nice.
Last edited by Black02LS1; Apr 10, 2009 at 01:17 PM.
