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As a long-time RX7 owner of 1985 GSL-SE I have pretty much accomplished all the things I hoped to in respects to the way she looks, and the way she handles. However, one sore spot has “always” been the OEM steering box play. There have been other options in the past but cutting into my car has “never” been an option for me. Recently I was intrigued by the new posts on the “rack and pinion” thread and did some Googling and found the eBay listing for the M Theory’s SA/FB Rack & Pinion kit. I was blown away by the simplicity of the design and put it on my “wish list.” I also contacted the seller (unknown to me at the time) to thank him for designing and building a kit that addresses this long-standing issue. As luck would have it, I figure out a way to purchase this kit sooner than I expected but, I had one major concern and that was installation. I no longer have access to a base auto shop and my friend who has helped me with my projects since I retired doesn’t have the access to the shop for off-book projects anymore and in all honesty at my age my skills aren’t what they used to be. A friend recommended a Frame and Alignment shop that might do it for me and I spoke to the owner and he said he would be willing to do the work. I discussed this with Scott at M Theory Inc and he spoke to the installer. We both had a good feeling about this individual and I booked the work. I picked up my car on August 31st and when I drove home it was quite an experience, after having to muscle my 330mm steering wheel around the steering was very responsive and I realized I would have to “un-learn” my old style of driving. I did notice a that something just didn’t feel right but figured it was my inputs, not the kit. I drove my RX7 for about thirty minutes on three successive days to get a feel for the handling so I could give Scott (who, over the six weeks we spoke, has become a friend) some feedback on his kit. In those three days my steering went from crisp and tight to developing a lag in response in transition from left to right on “S” curves and developed 3” to 4” of play in the steering wheel. I felt lucky to have gotten my car home and in my garage in one piece, and facing the fact that with a “significant” amount of money invested in this project I had a car that was “undriveable.” I called Scott and explained what was happening, and with texts, photos, videos, and a phone call were able to diagnose just what the problem was. I told him it would be weeks before I would be able to get it back to the shop who did the install, and would have to have it towed because I couldn’t drive it there. Then Scott said something that blew me away, he said he was getting his tools, floor jack, jack stands and any parts he may need in his car and would come and fix my car. He drove overnight from Georgia to Indy and arrived at 09:30 to fix a problem that wasn’t his fault. He pulled the steering shaft and kit linkage back out and the problem was readily identifiable. The installer “DID NOT” follow the instructions when installing the it. He did not drill the “required” three divots where the u-joints set screws attach to the shafts, and “NO” Loctite was applied to the set screws once they were tightened. After re-installing everything Scott offered to replace the OEM transmission mount with the one I purchased from him while he was here. Four hours later I was cruising around Indy enjoying a car with “responsive” steering and “crisp” shifts. We had dinner and he headed back to Georgia that night leaving behind I very grateful RX7 owner. I will be posting photos and my thoughts and impressions on this upgrade on the Rack and Pinion thread. In the twenty plus years as a member of this forum I have never started a thread, but I felt this experience deserved a thread of its own.
Similar experience with Scott. Had issues with a rack and pinion install that were all of my own causing and nothing to do with the kit. Basic lack of experience made getting the steering lock off and removing the steerer box challenging. Scott texted multiple times with photos and advice, even calling me in person late on a Friday night taking me through a problem that had me totally stuck, (how to remove the outer steerer shaft for the box? Answer…. Just pull!) and texting me on a holiday Monday when anyone else would have not responded.
And yup the result is a car that is an absolute delight to drive.
First I want to say thank you for the kind words without guys like seniorchief and slow_seven this whole project would not be possible. You don't just get a steering kit you get 110% commitment from me that I will do everything I possibly can do to make sure we all have the same experience and to get there installation is 90% of the equation.
For me that experience is a smile knowing when I drive my FB that it feels like the legitimate sports car it truly is. This steering kit is not for everyone but it is for every SA/FB Rx7.
Hi Ray!
It's a shame those springs aren't produced anymore they are night and day difference over the racing beat springs available. Not to mention they give the proper stance for a tastefully modded 1st gen without going coilover.
You wouldn't be disappointed the rack kit pairs like a fine wine with the 13 inch wheels and a Nikki carburetor provided it has the proper blue air cleaner.
When the rotary gods came to me in a dream they said build it in the essence that would make Matasaburo Maeda proud. I feel I've accomplished that task by producing something that doesn't detract from the intrinsic nature of the SA/FB. They need to be preserved not drilled, hacked, or chopped.
" Then Scott said something that blew me away, he said he was getting his tools, floor jack, jack stands and any parts he may need in his car and would come and fix my car. He drove overnight from Georgia to Indy and arrived at 09:30 to fix a problem that wasn’t his fault. He pulled the steering shaft and kit linkage back out and the problem was readily identifiable. The installer “DID NOT” follow the instructions when installing the it. He did not drill the “required” three divots where the u-joints set screws attach to the shafts, and “NO” Loctite was applied to the set screws once they were tightened. After re-installing everything Scott offered to replace the OEM transmission mount with the one I purchased from him while he was here. Four hours later I was cruising around Indy enjoying a car with “responsive” steering and “crisp” shifts. We had dinner and he headed back to Georgia that night leaving behind I very grateful RX7 owner. "
I know the above will sound unbelievable to people that do not know Scott, but it does not surprise me at all. He is not the typical business man who is just in it for the money. Being a long time first gen guy, he really cares for these cars and the people who own them, and he knows more about them than anyone I have run across, and I have had mine since '78. He is striving to help the community keep these cars on the road into the future, and is honest and sincere, and we are lucky to have him.
" Then Scott said something that blew me away, he said he was getting his tools, floor jack, jack stands and any parts he may need in his car and would come and fix my car. He drove overnight from Georgia to Indy and arrived at 09:30 to fix a problem that wasn’t his fault. He pulled the steering shaft and kit linkage back out and the problem was readily identifiable. The installer “DID NOT” follow the instructions when installing the it. He did not drill the “required” three divots where the u-joints set screws attach to the shafts, and “NO” Loctite was applied to the set screws once they were tightened. After re-installing everything Scott offered to replace the OEM transmission mount with the one I purchased from him while he was here. Four hours later I was cruising around Indy enjoying a car with “responsive” steering and “crisp” shifts. We had dinner and he headed back to Georgia that night leaving behind I very grateful RX7 owner. "
I know the above will sound unbelievable to people that do not know Scott, but it does not surprise me at all. He is not the typical business man who is just in it for the money. Being a long time first gen guy, he really cares for these cars and the people who own them, and he knows more about them than anyone I have run across, and I have had mine since '78. He is striving to help the community keep these cars on the road into the future, and is honest and sincere, and we are lucky to have him.
Robert Watson
This thread and the other one from before got me so hyped up I ordered a kit last night. Scott's already reached out and gathered details, answered my questions. Can't wait to install.
As most of us have seen producers come and go this is a very niche market if your trying to make money this isn't it. You can always spot the cash grabs like the last kit that was available the poor and unsafe interpretation of respeed kit which also as a kit left a lot to be desired. For me this is a way as Robert said to give back to the rx7 which has been part of my life since I was 17 going on 43 years old now. There's definitely greener pastures for me and nothing last forever but I want to do my part not only in preserving the rx7 but a way to ensure longevity for future generations to actually drive this car. In the classic car world everyone thinks the want it stock till they drive 1969 they quickly realize how scary that feels when you jump out of your modern car into that. This will happen to our car especially as younger generations take our place.
I don't consider this a restomod thing, this is a retrofit for longevity and safety that's why it's designed to seamlessly integrate into any combination from stock to wildly modified and is 100% reversible that would show zero signs of modification if reversed.
I believe Mazda intended the SA/FB to have a rack and pinion which is why I did it in a way that doesn't diminish the integrity of a beautiful stock rx7.
Believe it or not but I still test fit every single subframe on a rx7 when it comes off the jig for quality excellence, not because it needs it but because that's the true test that the guy installing it will have.
Anyway thank y'all for the support of this project, It's a labor of love.
It's amazing being able to interact with so many people that share the love of the 1st gen rx7.
For me it's the only rx7 that exists.
+1 to everything in this thread. I had an excellent conversation with @MTheoryInc shooting the bull about all things RX7 for more than an hour. Just a great guy and he was, not surprisingly, super helpful.
For reference I have an 83 GSL 39K, 13" OEM wheels, 205/60 Federal SS595 tires, RB springs and Tokico Blues front and back, poly bushes in the front LCA, tension rods, both sway bar ends, and Watts link, factory rubber in the rear control arms, factory top strut mounts and ball joints that are in great shape.
I finalized my installation today. The kit has everything you need and is incredibly well designed and fabricated. The carrier frame is perfectly accurate and bolted in with just the right amount of friction, complementing the original structure of the frame, certainly strengthening the body as well as carrying the rack. Everything lands exactly where it should. I had a lot of fun installing this myself, mostly because of the excellent threads here. @Slow_sevens 's experience with the lock mechanism was especially helpful.
The driving experience is transformed! Absolutely no slop in the system. It tracks beautifully, turn in is excellent and the feedback from the chassis - not just the steering but the entire chassis - is amazing. The car feels solid, confident at speed. It reminds me of my MK7 GTI.
I ran into some self inflicted errors. I mis-drilled the pilot hole in the OEM shaft end. This caused the new lower shaft's U-joint to compress against the Delrin bushing and bind, causing memory steer. I have to thank @rwatson5651 for his excellent suggestion to look in that area. Once I fixed my error, everything came into play beautifully.
So all in all, excellent experience and outcome. The SA/FB should have had a rack and pinion from the very start. If you're on the fence, I encourage you to go ahead. And I'm happy to answer any questions about my installation.
Got the oem strut rod bushings replaced with urethane bushings and got the final tweak on the caster alignment for the M Theory rack and pinion install and it handles great.
Got the oem strut rod bushings replaced with urethane bushings and got the final tweak on the caster alignment for the M Theory rack and pinion install and it handles great.
Perfect alignment, I wouldn't expect anything less from such a detailed owner. I'm truly honored to have my rack and pinion kit on such an immaculate FB Rx7 that yours is, thank you.
Got the oem strut rod bushings replaced with urethane bushings and got the final tweak on the caster alignment for the M Theory rack and pinion install and it handles great.
How harsh is the ride with those bushings ? I'm 27 and could not stand how harsh it was on my friends who had them on his car , he also had coil overs but they were only a bit above the stock spring rate . Every bump was a blast 😁.
The replacing of the strut rod bushings does not affect the ride quality, only the ability to get, and maintain, the caster settings needed for the rack and pinion kit. While many folks love them and swear by them (and rightfully so) I'm not a fan of urethane bushings for suspension parts due to the harsh ride characteristics, and stick with rubber bushing on my car. I recently removed my rear Racing Beat springs with OEM rear springs as a favor to my old back, and it's now a lot easier, and more fun to drive around on the the crappy roads around here,
09-11-22, 12:43 PM
