Rack and pinion conversion
This is why Mazda made the FC front-steer, which also required moving the engine mounts further back. Even then, they had to shorten up the control arms considerably in order to make the rack wide enough to clear the engine, which is a good chunk of why FC handling isn't so hot, the roll center moves around a lot unless you stiffen the suspension so much it barely moves.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 749
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From: Clemmons, NC
It has a better roll center. The FC needs super stiff shocks and springs to work good in a racing situation.
Old [Sch|F]ool
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,848
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From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Yes, much better geometry and also an inch or so more travel. More travel means the suspension can be softer, which means grip.
The steering is also faster than FC, especially the power versions of each.
The steering is also faster than FC, especially the power versions of each.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 7
From: Worcester, UK. Ex-NZ
I'd forgotten about Arrans thread over there. A Corsa rack would be easy for me to obtain since I'm in the UK these days haha. Don't think I'm smart or skilled enough to do it myself though :P
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
These videos might be helpful. I used a RHD Miata rack (just bought it from Rock Auto, in stock item, arrived a few days later) to convert my Cosmo to rack and pinion. The subframe of the Cosmo is somewhat similar to the 1st gen, as is the oil pan and engine mounting. Might be worth looking into.
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Andrew7dg
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
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Mar 2, 2016 05:33 PM