Smitty's Build (Paint, IRS swap, etc.)

WildWillyWalker · Jun 28, 2011

As long as it allows, I will update the purchase list to give everyone an idea of what an IRS swap costs. Also, we plan to post a lot of pictures to try and document everything.

Used 03/04 Cobra IRS with 70k miles - $375
Precision U-Joint #448 (Fisher at cost) - $35
03/04 Cobra Yoke #F65Z-4782-AA (Ford at cost) - $25.08

I'm going to throw up some pictures of my buddy's car. He'll be along with details. At the moment it's being painted and he just got an 04/05 Cobra IRS to install. That won't be until after some possible powder coating, bushing, and coilover upgrades though!

Roof, rear sail panels, and left rear quarter done:

Yeah, I sanded that sail panel. Get some:

The mustang crew pitching in. Left: the owner himself. Right: owner of a 95 that is totally ripped apart and doing a ton of body work. Back: owner of a 97 Cobra with a Vortech. Mmm.

Now for the sexy part. After seeing this with my own eyes... I plan on getting one too! Hope I can find one for a good price as well. It's currently in pieces.

CoD_50callongshotz · Jun 28, 2011

shoot wonder how we are gonna get all these pics in order? plus i just realized i have no idea how to post a pic! dang it :wave:

19mustang95 · Jun 28, 2011

$375 is a steal for an IRS, was anything wrong with it?

CoD_50callongshotz · Jun 28, 2011

no nothing so far. guy just wanted to go with a solid rear. and from how i heard him drive it was polly a good idea for him!

WildWillyWalker · Jun 28, 2011

Mega fail LOL. Make sure you copy the IMG Code

CoD_50callongshotz · Jun 29, 2011

so i just failed hard 3 times with pics. i had about 40 pics ready to go and closed the damn window!!! so im just gonna do acouple at a time maybe i can handle that.

PPG NCP250 prime its purple!! excellent prime. stuffs expensive though 55 dollars a quart!

my chrome was pitting soooo

custome red paint!

thats all for now. i have a sinking feeling this piece of computer is about to explode!

WildWillyWalker · Jun 29, 2011

As you can see, the IRS is totally stripped apart.

Monsterous axles:

Might get rebuilt, might not?:

These are getting rebuilt:

Some random pieces tucked away:

Stock Bilsteins for sale:

Here's some pictures regarding the special u-joint. The IRS didn't come with the yoke so this is a new Cobra yoke:

Here's just the u-joint:

The u-joint has two different sizes. One fits the stock GT driveshaft and the other fits the Cobra yoke. You can see how much smaller the gt is:

Steven · Jun 29, 2011

Sweet. I may find my way to an IRS eventually.

CoD_50callongshotz · Jun 30, 2011

so heres a couple more pics

roof after the first buff. notice the reflection! looks nice

Willy starting with the IRS tear down

parts that need powder coated/ painted

removing the crappy stock upper control arm bushings

hopefully no wheel hop after this. planning on the maximum motorsports kit.gonna be doing some clear coating later tonight and got a big work day saturday so wildWillyWalker or i will have some new pics up

Blind · Jun 30, 2011

I'd recommend the FTB kit instead of the MM, it's better and cheaper.

CoD_50callongshotz · Jun 30, 2011

im not familiar with FTB what is this?

Blind · Jun 30, 2011

CoD_50callongshotz said:
im not familiar with FTB what is this?

http://www.fulltiltboogieracing.com/

dutch · Jun 30, 2011

That?s a dirt cheap IRS, good score sir! And yes, fit all the FTBR bushings while it?s out!

Willis_98GT · Jul 3, 2011

Totally awesome build man, i want to irs my car eventually.

CoD_50callongshotz · Jul 3, 2011

thanks guys. yeah the IRS was a great price grabbed it off of craiglist. did a good bit of work yesterday. relatively sure WWW got some good pics hopefully he can throw them up later

WildWillyWalker · Jul 5, 2011

I'm behind... I forgot as usual. I'm currently uploading a bunch of pictures from our sanding day.
It looks like Smitty will be going with the FTB package. All the bushings will get done a while. Tie rods and/or sway bar links will come later if need be.

Blind · Jul 6, 2011

WildWillyWalker said:
I'm behind... I forgot as usual. I'm currently uploading a bunch of pictures from our sanding day.
It looks like Smitty will be going with the FTB package. All the bushings will get done a while. Tie rods and/or sway bar links will come later if need be.

sway bar links aren't critical, but I did this to my right rear tie-rod the first time I took my car on the track with IRS, just running hard using sticky tires, I didn't go off track or hit anything.

stock is bent, the new arms I put in are MM, they looked stronger than the FTB tie-rods to me when I bought them.

it's a really common problem with IRS cars driven at road course tracks with sticky tires...

CoD_50callongshotz · Jul 6, 2011

wow thats amazing. i wasnt planning on getting the tie rods right away but i am a spirited driver. so i think i might as well get those right off the bat after seeing those pics! thank you for that insight.

WildWillyWalker · Jul 6, 2011

Spirited driver, lol. You'll be on the street with non sticky Nittos sliding around everywhere. You'll be fine.

About to come out and play:

Slowmotion Motorsports work area...lol:

The quarter is totally done and buffed but the door needs buffed. Quite a difference:

Smitty ran out of paint so a paint shop took a picture of the sail panel but they didn't do such a great job. The darker panel was their attempt. Not even close:

It is a sick black though. I believe it's Tuxedo black from Ford?:

Close up of the finished product:

Light covers to match: