Hi,

I've got a 1988 SE that I wanted to switch over to a manual steering rack . The SE came with a ratio of 15.2:1. What would be a good rack to swap in? Can the Miata rack be used?

Thanks,

Cid

 

The s4 manual rack is suppose to have the best ratio. Can't remember the ratio's of the different racks though.

 

there are 3 racks for the FC.

the "FB01" is the manual rack, its like 20:1 ratio

the FC01, which is the 89-91 engine speed assist power rack is 17:1

and then the s4/s5 dual line variable assist rack is 15:1.

the 15:1 rack is the fastest, 20:1 is the slowest.

 

Alright. The rack in the car has two oil lines going into it. This would give me the quickest turning manual rack, correct?

 

"Fastest ratio", definitely.
"Best" is far too subjective to be applicable.

I tried all three racks (the two power racks were properly "manualized" by me, including quill welding) and preferred the slower "real" manual rack ratio for street use.
TBH, it's really hard to tell any difference between the true manual ratio and the S5 17:1 power ratio, the 15:1 rack was very different and I didn't much care for it.
(Your wheel/tire choice will make a big impact on the steering feel, so your results may vary).

 

I'm building it for drift and SCCA. I'm going to the darkside with an LS swap. In my defense I picked up a gutted roller not a perfectly good donor. Any way, that's what I'm looking for. More time on the track than the street.

 

I'm also running a FC manual rack (20:1) on my swapped (LT1) FD and think it's fine.

I'd start with a manual/slow rack to begin with and then change if necessary.
With all your newfound torque, you should be able to steer quite a bit with the gas pedal and not rely so much on the rack.

That said, my main objection to the 15:1 rack was twitchiness on bad pavement...if you're mainly on groomed pavement the faster ratio may be advantageous.

 

2 oil lines = 17:1

3 oil lines = 15:1 (this is the fastest stock rack)

I am using a 15:1 depowered rack on my race car, it so far has worked flawlessly.

 

I have a 17:1 rack depowered by black91n/a in my car,
it took a little to get used to, but I love it. Particularly in contrast to the 20 year old power rack that was in the car.

 

stuff that, I have a depowered 3 oil line rack and Im now going to a PS back on.

I'm running 245's on the front (285's rear) and there is no way my GF would be able to park it in a shopping centre. I'm a strong guy and its a bloody hard even with the fronts overinflated a bit.

while driving and at speed its fine. But low speeds its a ***** !!

If you have smaller wheels yeh its probably ok, but if you plan o decent rubber its a bitch of a thing

Im now going to go a EHPS system to keep my engine bay clean.

 

Yeah, I've got R32 wheels upfront with 225's
it's not a picnic by anymeans

 

Um, you may want to ask drifters what they think of not running power steering.

 

I have run for years with the 15.2 rack and no power steering without any problems. I detested the power steering when it was in the car, so any future RX7's for me will all get the depower treatment.

 

I went from power rack to manual rack a week ago. I like it just a bit more...

 

I recently bought an 87 TII and didn't even realize it didn't have power steering until I got it home (guess I didn't look for the pump), I couldn't even really tell. I love the manual rack, it has a much better feeling.