Way back in October 2017, we published an article outlining Heidts’ new independent rear suspension (IRS) install in a fourth-gen Camaro. In the article, we noted, that for decades, the straight-line sprint seemed to be the only performance metric that really registered for muscle car enthusiasts. But in recent years, that story has begun to change. These days modern muscle cars can go toe-to-toe with the most capable sports cars in the world not only at the drag strip but also on the road course as well.

That article was developed with help from Heidts Suspension Systems, and the install is a great upgrade for Camaro owners. For that reason, I thought we would focus this week’s Throwback Thursday on the article titled, Get Your Fourth-Gen F-Body’s Handling Up To Speed With A Heidts IRS.

Upgrading to Heidts’ fourth-generation IRS offers not only potential improvements in road holding and ride quality, but also, stopping power as well. For folks who’ve already upgraded their rear brakes before doing this IRS swap, Heidts says those components should be able to be paired up with the system without any issues.

While a solid axle is great for those wanting to tackle straight-line racing, an IRS really is a better option for those looking to add an increase in handling while making corners scream for mercy. F-body can switch to a fully independent setup, easily, because Heidts removed the guesswork from the equation with the new independent rear suspension kit for 1993-2002 F-body cars. The kit not only includes all the components needed to make the swap, but it also offers customers a number of choices in terms of a brake system, third member, and CV shaft components. This, in turn, allows enthusiasts to tailor the kit to their specific needs.

Heidts’ standard IRS system is designed for cars making roughly 500hp, while the high-horsepower variant is suitable for vehicles making up to 800hp. One of the key differences between the two can be found in the CV shafts – the standard kit comes with 27-spline hubs while the high-horsepower version utilizes 33-spline hubs. Either version can be optionally outfitted with traction control sensors.

In the original article, Scott Diedrich of Heidts states, “There are benefits to an IRS system which simply cannot be duplicated in a solid axle setup. For instance, rear camber and toe-in cannot be changed in a solid axle setup, but an IRS can offer this adjustability. That allows for a significant improvement in handling and road-holding capability for autocross sessions and track driving. IRS systems also provide independent camber gain as each wheel is compressed or extends. This can reduce unsprung weight versus the factory setup and afford the ability for each wheel to remain in contact through hard cornering or uneven track surfaces.”

There’s a lot more in-depth information in the original article — including some installation tips — and for that reason, I selected, Get Your Fourth-Gen F-Body’s Handling Up To Speed With A Heidts IRS as this week’s Throwback Thursday showcase article.