Well I've just been going threw ideas in my head on how to do a steering conversion to rack and pinion. It "seems"" to be kinda simple. If no one has done this by the time I get out the military and/or get a yard of my own (~3 years) look foward to a how to.

 

I wish I could. I know this fabricator guy who could help me make it work. Any ideas for a donor car? Did they make 2nd gens with no power steering?

 

What I've been looking at are the Ford racks, with no assist.

 

Hmm. I'm thinking as long as it's the proper width we can weld on some brakets on the frame where the idler arm usually is, then just bolt it on.

 

That's what I was thinking, only thing I see being a issue is the conection the the steering wheel. One thing I came up with on that is to cut the box off, and modify the shaft to accept the UV joints to conect with the rack. And of course make a bracket to sucure the shaft.

 

the pinto rack seems to be popular:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=2687


it says drag racing rack...is it really light or something? what type of ratio should we look for?

 

Ya, the pinto rack is the one I've been looking at too, I just didn't want to trun anyone off by using the word "pinto".

 

lol, if I did'nt know and saw it on someones mod list....I'd be like WTF?

 

Isn't manntis doing this as we speak? i think hes putting miata stuff in.

 

I'm working on it.

Best suggestion I got from a car guy I trust is to rotate and swap the front hubs, making the car front-steer instead of rear-steer, which would allow my idea of placing the rack in front of, not underneath, the engine.

 

hmm, miata. That would be a good donor.
did all miatas come without power steering?

 

I was thinking of moving the rack...but I'm not sure of the gains. it would transfer more weight to the front which is'nt good.
is there not enough room behind the engine or something?

 

I belive he's trying a complet suspension/steering swap. What I want to do is just replace the steering for cost and ease of install. Everyone wants better steering not everyone wants to do a complete suspension swap. When I do this, I want it to be cost effective. A new box from mazda is $600+ (crazy for such a piece of crap) A new rack is under $300, so even after fabercation cost you'll have a less costly New set up, and more important better steering.

 

Yeah, they made non power steering FC's. Saw one at the junk yard the other month.

 

Some say that a front steer car has better road feel than the same car with rear steer. I'm sure there are more factors that simply the rack placement.

 

I'm with you....just want better steering with minimal cost

are FC's front or rear steer?

 

If I remember right, they're front steer.

 

what about suspension travel? if it's mounted too high the arms will hit the frame. If it's too low, the rack will hit **** while you drive.

 

It should be mounted so it's on the same plane as the end of the steerong hub arm when the suspension is at midpoint. That way the tie rods can follow on equidistant paths as the suspension goes to its limits.

 

Um ya, what he said. I plan on mounting the rack in the same area the center link is. I have added proplem that you guys don't have tho.

 

what added problem?

 

I have a V8 in my beauty

 

Pinto doesn't turn me off... Ford does.

Being that it's a Ford product, it'll probably only work with the rack mounted upside down and backwards, what way you have to belt drive it from the steering column to the passenger side of the car, with the belt hanging down under the crossmember.

But then, you've gotta put a whole buncha **** in the way so you can't change the belt.

On a more serious note, I think it'd be a great idea and I too wondered why there aren't more of these types of conversions.

I've heard of people using the whole 2nd gen crossmember and rack/pinion when they upgrade to 5 lug suspension, along with a Ford ( ) rear end.

 

looking aroung the internet, I've noticed mention of the dodge omni rack for use with a rear steer setup like our 1st gens. Check it:

http://www.flaming-river.com/racks1.htm

http://www.artmorrison.com/F_SteerRack.htm

http://www.wankel.net/rx7-fb-q4-2001/msg00845.html

 

i hate power steering.... but then again PS great for 4x4's i dont think it would be very easy without it turning those giant tires hahahaha


peace