Independent Rear Suspension install in FFR#48
Part of the 2015/2016 off-season upgrades along with ABS and bigger front brakes was installation of Factory Five Racing’s new independent rear suspension based on the brand new 2015 Ford Mustang parts (pumpkin, spindles, brakes.) I was lucky enough to be part of the early 2015 IRS development and was impressed by it so much that I wanted to convert my car to it. Factory Five was kind enough to let me come down and work with Jon Dean and Jim Schenck to retrofit my car with the goal of putting a ton miles on the system continuing the testing already done, but this time in the harshest possible scenarios – endurance road racing. Testing will start at NJMP Lightning (NASA-NorthEast’s first event) mid-April, then followed by a 12hr SCCA Devil in the Dark endurance race end of April at NJMP Thunderbolt.
I arrived Friday with FFR#48 and quickly removed fuel cell, and axle out of the car (having fork lift makes things so much easier!)
Jon, Jim and I started removing the 3-link ‘tree’ and started to grind the powder coat to bare metal so we can weld new stuff.
Saturday starts with more grinding and mock-up. It isn’t possible to do this retrofit without the FFR jigs (they are actually same one they use when fabricating new frames) luckily Jon has done this before and was a pro at how all things get placed and in what order.
Tack-welded all new parts in place, double checked measurements, and expertly Jon welded it all in.
We added additional bracing as FFR#48 needs extra weight to meet its minimum 2600lb based on the ST2 class rules. Once all was welded a quick coat of spray paint made it look all pretty.
The install of new center section, lower control arms, spindles, upper control arms and tow link were installed with ease.
The axles and rear calipers were on back-order so we had to push it onto the trailer to get me back home.
I cannot thank Factory Five enough for all their support! Dave Smith, Jim Schenck, Jon Dean and all of the employees are super helpful and a class act.
More pictures here: http://www.johngeorgeracing.com/gallery/index.php?/category/84