Anyone every consider or use a Flaming River quick-ratio steering box as a replacement for the original box? A forum search turned up nothing.

The redesigned Vega quick-ratio box first caught my eye, but they offer a few options for other vehicle applications, as well. Pros/cons?

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cf...=cat/cat73.htm

Thanks!

 

For the price, you are better off getting a rack and pinion conversion kit from respeed with flaming rivers 15:1 quick ratio rack.

 

Definitely. For that much money, you might as well get the benefits of a nice R&P system. Respeed has already done all of the R&D work, and came up with another great product. I'd grab one in a heartbeat if it wasn't for classing restrictions in SCCA Autocross.



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As much as I'd like to have the ReSpeed conversion kit (it's been on the WANT list for a while), I don't NEED it if I can find an alternative. A few hundred dollars saved could be put into another fix/upgrade on my resto project. That's why I'm looking for options.

 

That kit changes so much on the car that it completely outweighs the want/need/save/spend money on other stuff side of the equation. The side effects alone of that kit are awesome perks in themselves, ie. "Woah lookit that, no more bump steer!", or "God damn, the steering on this thing feels better than the Porsche now." Not to mention that the fact that the car becomes front-steer and is a million times easier to align.

 

Hey, I didn't notice before that you are also from Michigan. Have we met yet?

Boxman has it nailed. Save your money for the R&P. In the mean time, have you tried adjusting the steering box to tighten things up yet? It can actually help a lot. I did it a couple of years ago, and did a writeup on it, and it made one hell of a difference. I've got the link saved on my work computer, so I'll post it up when I go back in on Monday. It might improve things enough that you can wait and save up some cash for the R&P. Also, make sure your front end pieces (tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm) are all in good shape.

Do you have any interest at all in getting into Autocross (or any other type of racing)?

 

Pretty sure that we haven't met. Last RX-7 event I attended was one in the Lansing area with the apparently defunct mirotary club a few years ago. I've spent a little time at Grattan in previous summers. Potentially, I'd like to get into more serious road course events, but most likely not for another year or two - I have young kids and the car is in pieces.

I've exceeded the adjustability of the power steering box over the past several years - it's shot. It still works, but has 2-3" of play.

The car is stripped and I'm slowly going through it. Engine, rear end, and drive shaft are done. Transmission is next, then stripping/repairing the body, followed by the steering, suspension, and brakes in the spring. To keep things on track, I'm sorting through my steering options, now.

It's not a matter of saving up money for the ReSpeed setup, just a matter of managing the overall budget.

Maybe we can get together somewhere this next year.

Project pics below...

 

Interesting how you have the body supported on jackstands. Never would have thought of that one myself. Do you find it more stable than using the jackstands alone?

 

15:1 isn't very quick. That's about what the stock power steering box is.

Early FC rack with a 2:1 quickener, that's quick

 

Yes, more stable, but also 4" higher than without the 4x4's and I can more easily shift them forward and backward to get better access to different areas. Just a temporary setup to allow me to drop the engine/suspension out until I figure out a better approach. I keep trying to justify putting $$$ into some form of rotisserie, which would be ideal.

 

Looks like a good project. I don't know if you would be interested, but I do have a complete spare steering box sitting out in the garage. Came with a parts car that I bought a few years ago, and I never had a need for it. Seems to be in good shape, no detectable slop.

Was that meet in Lansing the one at Buffalo Wild Wings?

 

I looked into rotisseries until I saw the prices they wanted for prefabbed ones. Then Concept is simple and any competent welder can make one. I started researching on how to make them, not that hard but I didn't really have the space to store one when it would be out of use.

If you decide to go with the Flaming River box and are putting wide tires on the 7, consider going with the powered unit. Once I installed the Epsilons on the widebody, I had to install power steering. I've heard members say only weaklings and pussies use PS, but parking was a bitch and the PS has already saved me from wrecking the WB doing a burnout in the driveway. Missed hitting the side of the house 'by that much' as Maxwell Smart used say, lol.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I'm really wanting to get away from the stock unit if I can. I'll probably come begging for it in a few months...

Nope, I didn't make that one. I probably understated the amount of time since I last attended anything. It was at Hawk Hollow Park several years ago. We cooked out and had a pretty nice cruise. Time flies.



Ditto on the storage. I also haven't picked up a welder, yet, to make one myself. I'll probably end up with a version of the attached stand that I can disassemble and store or scavenge for other projects.


Well, if anyone has any info about FR boxes or other options, please let me know. I'll post anything useful that I come up with.

 

Nothing ever became of this thread. Anyone have experience replacing worm gear and the cross shaft sector gear with Mustang or other make/model parts?

https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/x7-productions-steering-trick-666183/

 

He signed up with the military and (last I heard) was getting out of rotaries altogether.
He came over to my place, and disassembled one of my spare boxes with the intention of putting a writeup together. That box is still in pieces, and he never got me part numbers or anything so that I could complete it myself. Could be a complete myth, or maybe he'll turn up again someday to finish what we started.

 

An idea I saw the other day for a alternative cheap rotisserie:

 

I had forgotten about this, having seen it a couple of months ago. Worth consideration. Thanks.

 

trochoid, which p/s do you use?

 

Stock S3. Works great with no play.

That wood rotisserie is sweet. All it needs are some wheels.

 

Scott

i agree that if you are not ready to use muscle when parking a widebody that p/s is very helpful. My wife does not like trying to park our widebody and I am always esp careful when we take her to car meets where things tend to get a little tight.

 

Dave, it's not that I'm not ready to use muscles, I grew up with manual steering and bus sized steering wheels. I've found the ps unit to be just as accurate/precise as the manual, maybe even more so. And the unit does depower some after a certain speed. I just can't see fighting with manual steering in critical situations. The power steering gives me a much faster response time.

And to dispel the rumor that race car drivers don't use power steering, NASCAR runs ps just to make left hand turns and Formula 1 does also.

I built the widebody not only to handle well, but also to be enjoyable driving. With stock wheels/tires, I can do w/o ps, but with 9" wide rims in the front, manual steering takes all the fun out of it.

 

Please Scott not disagreeing.... rather I completely agree with you for the street custom widebody we are building it will have power steering.

 

Didn't think you were Dave. Most of the post is for the other members who want argue about the merits of PS. If they want to call me a ***** for installing PS or think it takes away from the true sports car nature of a 1st gen, so be it. I really don't care. The PS suits me fine and I'm glad I installed it.

Btw, when your wife and daughters stopped by to pick up the parts I sold you, I was very impressed. They were very charming and you're a lucky man to have have such wonderful family. Please give them my regards, talking to them brightened my day.

 

Back to the original post...

I took the easy way out and ordered the Re-Speed R&P conversion. Was looking to save $200-$300, overall, but I'm probably saving that much in Motrin and time by going this direction.

Would still like to see this idea fleshed out, but not by me on this project...

 

Glad to hear it. You won't be disappointed in your decision, and I'll be green with envy.