I heard from a Mazda tech that the RX8 steering rack/column can be swapped right into the FC3s. Has anyone heard about this and does anyone know if this is possible? If it is what would something like this cost with labor of course?

 

I've got to ask why? Seriously, I'm curious.

The only think I can think is if you swapped the whole electric power steering over, but I'd imagine that wouldn't be worth the hassle

 

The RX-8 system is electric/hydraulic assist.
This swap has all the earmarks of a money pit.

 

I would think that there would be a lot more involved than just swapping steering racks. There are a lot of eletronics involved with the RX-8 steering system.

 

You might be able to swap it right in, but it wont work withough a ton of other stuff.

 

alright just wondering this is what a mazda tech said... I honestly just dont want to deal with manual steering anymore I have been working with it for 6 years straight now on all my cars and I want power steering.

 

I'll buy you're rack. Or I'll trade you my power one

 

if you have a manual rack, dude you dont know how lucky you are.

all these "would a FD/FB/rx8/ect part fit on my car" threads are getting annoying. Chances are if there are no threads about it then it hasnt been done here. If it hasnt been done here then how is anyone going to give you an answer?

 

How am I lucky with a manual rack... lol I have been driving with a manual rack forever yes I like a manual rack more when I am driving the **** out of the car but when this is my daily driver manual steering can be a bit annoying... The only reason I brought it up is because a mazda tech brought it to my attention obviously he isnt the most intelligent I was just curious thats all

 

well, u`ll get props from us if u will try and find out if and how RX-8 rack could work in our cars

 

sorry i was bein abit of a ******* lol .. if it works out for you then let us know...

btw if you wanna ship the rack to canada i'll buy it if the price is decent lol. hardly any rx7's in my area.

 

First rule of hot rodding is to see if a part from a similar model car fits and is an improvement.

Though I agree that it would be very difficult to swap the RX-8 rack into the FC and anyone serious about doing the swap would have already checked the service manuals for both cars as a first step. Also this electronic rack requires vehicle speed, engine speed and various other inputs as well as likely requiring communication with the RX-8s ECU...

 

Wow this would be very hard but cool as hell. Personally I think the FE's stance is much wider. I will go measure the racks length for you after dinner and see if the assembly is even close to fitting inside the car.

 

Ok the rack housing itself on the FE is 6in longer then the FC one this does not include the pitmen arms and tierods.

 

The easiest thing would be to retrofit a engine speed sensing power steering system like the one that came on my car.

 

way more work then it would be worth man... now thers so many electronics involved you wouldnt know if it would work till you try it, or seen a working one.

 

First, I question do you know what you're doing?
Swapping in steering racks has a lot more to do that just swapping components.
Do you know what bump steer is?
Steering dynamics is a pretty complex subject, and tweaking it involves a lot of time and effort.
The stock steering systems work - why **** with it?

Second, yes, the manual steering had better road feel.
The power steering is too overboosted for my tastes.
The only advantage you get is a quicker ratio with the PS - 15:1 versus 20:1.
What sized front tires are you running?
What is the inflation pressures in your front tires?
Both have major consequences on steering effort.
If you want to experiement, run a little more tire pressure up front to see if you like it.
Underinflated (front) tires greatly increases steering effort - make sure they are at least 35psi.

Third, if the SE3P (NOT "FE"), has the same kinda geometry like the FD, then it's a major project to do the swap.
The FC runs the steering rack in front of the engine cradle (in front of front wheel centerline?)
The FD runs is *behind* the engine cradle.
If the SE3P is like the FD, whoa nellie...
This affect Ackermann geometry.
It's a royal pain in the *** to mess with Ackermann.


-Ted

 

^ basically what i said !! LOL jk

i dont know why you would do the swap in the first place... im able to turn a unpowered p.s rack with one hand. if your really having a tough time, im sure a local would swap his p.s. with you.

 

yeah dude. I have manual and sometimes have wished for power steering and then one day I actually put the right amount of air in the tires and "wow". I never knew tire pressure could make that much difference. Since then I never cared for power steering. If it makes you feel better not even Mclarens come with power steering.

 

Not to rain on your parade but it is FE, if you like I will go take a pic of my VIN number

 

Yo lucky what tires are you running? In all honesty I work out 5 days a week and by no means would be considered weak but, there is no way I could turn my wheel with one hand. If it makes a difference I have a quick release hub and momo style wheel.

Well I am running 235's up front I will check the tire pressure soon... 235's can be a pain in the *** to turn with manual steering. I will adjust my tire pressure and see if that helps at all. I mean in all honesty its not a huge deal but it would be nice to have some sort of power steering or power assisted steering. My dad drives a pintiac grand prix gtp and it has power assisted steering which is amazing it is harder at higher speeds and def not too easy to turn at low speeds. It is fairly stiff and I like that a lot about it.

Either way thanks guys for the info... yea when I heard about switching racks I was def curious. But I wasnt sure so again thanks for your help guys I will adjust tire pressure and see if that helps any... I should prob get 225's to be honest but the tires are pretty new so it seems like a waste right now although they do rub a little on the splash guards with spacers.

 

*sniff-sniff* Whats that smell? a challenge? LOL

 

Yes, the VIN does include "FE", but Mazda calls it officially an "SE3P".


-Ted

 

i kinda like the idea of carrying on the F'x'

 

Looks to me like Mazda calls it a FE right smack on the car, oh well.