Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Coupes
Maximum Motorsports shows off IRS suspension for Mustang
Our prayers have been answered! Maximum Motorsports, a company that specializes in performance suspension components
for Ford Mustangs, is showing two new suspension systems for the 2005+ Ford Mustang. The front suspension system is a
double A-arm independent setup to replace the stock strut configuration. The big news is in the rear, where Maximum has
created an independent rear suspension system to replace the stock Mustang's solid rear axle. The vehicle concept also
includes Bilstein coil-overs with Eibach springs at all four corners. We've been waiting for the aftermarket to respond
to the new Mustang in this way, with competition quality aftermarket suspension components. Thanks to Eric Bryant for
snatching up these pics in his coverage of the SEMA show in Las Vegas.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kumar 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
I thought Ford gave the Mustang and old-school solid truck-like rear axle for the hard core types, and let the majority of the buying public deal with it becuase it's a Mustang.
Why would a hard-core racer type with a Mustang want an independant rear suspension then, if Mustang already decided they didn't want it?
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Shifty 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
i believe irs has the advantage in road racing and ride quality.... although the solid axle design is proving it has no problem passing the competition in the FR500 mustangs, some people may want the best that you can get.
its nice to have options, the more i read about the 05's the more i want one.
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Loseit 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
Hmmm....i might have to reconsider buying a Mustang. This is great news!!
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serpentor 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
I've been a long time customer of Maximum motorsports. MM is the best mustang suspension supplier our there bar none. Steeda, Saleen, and Kenny Brown are all posueurs and marketing compared to these guys. Their Customer service is excellent too with extreamly knowledgeble and helpful staff.
Kumar, the hard core DRAG racers want solid axle for strength, the autocrossers and open track racers want IRS and double A-arm front suspension.
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serpentor 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
I've been a long time customer of Maximum motorsports. MM is the best mustang suspension supplier our there bar none. Steeda, Saleen, and Kenny Brown are all posueurs and marketing compared to these guys. Their Customer service is excellent too with extreamly knowledgeble and helpful staff.
Kumar, the hard core DRAG racers want solid axle for strength, the autocrossers and open track racers want IRS and double A-arm front suspension.
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JIm 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
There has been lots of talk about IRS vs. solid. The drag racers tend to prefer the solid, those that like lateral "g's" like IRS.
Most reading this forum know the arguments. One point I do not normally see in these discussions is the benefits of IRS is day in, day out driving; unsprung weight, comfort, and the lack of the tendency to "hop" sideways when a pot hole or bump is encountered, particularly in a curve.
I consider the lack of IRS on the new model Mustang - at least as an option - to be a major drawback. Yes, I understand the price point thng. Anyone know what this aftermarket unit is going to cost?
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Chris 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
I have an '06 Mustang GT and the solid rear axle is no problem for anything I will do with it. I have no desire to take it into competition or anything but for the people that do should have no problem pay a little extra to swap out the solid axle.
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Justin Bell 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
Holy crap. I didn't even realise that the new Mustang even had a solid rear. Drag racers aside (because surely they must only be a small group), I guess they really are just giving in to the clueless "hardcore" fans. I mean, when was the last time you saw a high-performance car with a solid rear axle?
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Shifty 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
jim, i wouldnt consider a solid rear a major drawback, you should at least drive a new mustang before you deside that the rear axle is crap.
i drive a 01 mustang with the older design rear axle, (4 link, no panhard bar, soft rubber bushings), the "hop" you hear about is only during hard turns on bumpy curves, it does not hop sideways driving straight or during minor turns. now the 05 has a panhard bar which greatly reduces the "hop" by keeping the axle squarely in its place side to side. as far as unsprung weight and comfort, yes irs is nicer. but i would strongly recommend you at least drive a 05+ mustang, this is not the same rear end as the boats of yesteryear were equipped with. all the reviews i have read dont mention anything about the solid axle becoming a drawback.
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JayP 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
I would have expected the SVT/CS version at least offer an IRS. Make it possible for the drag wanna-be to go with the live axle.
One selling point of the new Mustang was the live rear end worked well. But I wonder if an IRS was at least 'looked at' by Ford and was deemed too weak?
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BP 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
IRS was in fact looked at for the new model but dropped due to cost and weight. The IRS from previous gen cobras will in fact bolt right up to your '05 or '06 pony. Remember they needed this car to sticker in the mid 20's so that the stealerships could rape you for 3 grand over sticker and still come in at under 30k.
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Jason Jacques 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
The IRS from previous gen cobras WILL NOT bolt into an '05+. Are you joking!
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Mavrick 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
Knowing Maximum Motorsports, these products should be AWESOME! They do indeed have the very best customer service that i have ever encountered, and their products are always MINT. If i had an 05 or 06, i'd be saving for both their front and rear setup.
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Lee Gibson 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
"One selling point of the new Mustang was the live rear end worked well. But I wonder if an IRS was at least 'looked at' by Ford and was deemed too weak?"
Well, it's a selling point that it works almost as well as an independent suspension, yeah.
Too weak? Come on. Too EXPENSIVE? Now you're talkin'.
Ford made a profit margin decision that, in my opinion as a prospective customer, is the only wart on that car. Sure I'd like better fuel economy too, but if I'm in the market for high-powered sports cars, that's not my prime consideration.
Maybe I can look past the solid axle. Maybe I'll buy a different car. I'll have to see.
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Kevin 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
Solid rear axle is beneficial in Road Racing. Check out the guys in the Grand-Am cup. They prefer the solid rear because of both durability and setup. The solid rear is more likely to survive a bump than the IRS. It's also easier to consistently set up the suspension with a solid rear. Go to the pits and talk to the Mustang racers, and you'll see.
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SB 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
I love how Roadracers only see themselves and no one else. Small crowed of drag racers? Go to a test and tune night which happens once or twice every week and the attentance will blow away an auto x race. And Justin Bell : I mean, when was the last time you saw a high-performance car with a solid rear axle?
I hope you were kidding otherwise you are clueless.
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Justin Bell 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
To say that a solid rear axle is beneficial in road racing is a bit of a misnomer. Sure it may have benifits, but like most other things, it also has drawbacks. And while some teams might prefer a solid rear axle, I think the dominance of IRS in motor racing and normal cars shows that IRS is usually a better choice. I'm not familiar with the US Grand-Am, so it could very well a good choice for that class.
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Tao Seti 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
Do we have a time or price for the release of these products? I would love to see a comparison review between the performance numbers between a stock 2005 Mustang before and after the installation of these products. Hey, I would even volunteer my own 2005 Mustang GT.
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JJ Simcox 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
This is great news. I may even sell my 2003 Cobra to get a newer Stang with this MM setup. Many believe the FR500C in Grand Am Cup is proof-positive that a solid axle is all that's needed. I don't agree for two reasons. First, the FR500C was a superstar this season due to horsepower/torque superiority and not handling superiority. Two, the FR500C is a track car, and is not on the more "unprepared" roads of America where this MM IRS setup is needed. Sure, the solid axle is a cost-saving measure. It sure isn't used because it's better. If that were the case, then we'd see a lot more solid axles out there on true sports cars; fact is, we don't. Way to go MM!!!
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CV 10:46PM (12/18/2005)
IRS is better for bumpy surfaces. But autocross and most road racing in the US is done on smooth surfaces where what the suspension does in bumps is not that impotant. A LOT of autocrossers and road racers have no problems with solid axles in cars like the Alfa Spyder and GTV, first gen RX7s, RX3s, Toyota Corolla GTS (the RWD ones) as well as Mustangs and Camaros. Even in classes that are primarily tube frame cars, check out a GT1 Mustang or Camaro sometime.
I've had no problems winning events with solid axle cars over the years. IRS is nice, but not necessary. On the street, there will be a nominal difference, most notably at speeds you should be on a racetrack to be enjoying.
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