BeaterRacer

Will a power steering rack from a 2nd gen RX7 bolt into a first gen? I want the quickness of the power steering rack ratio but won't be using the power assist. It will be used on a rally car so steering effort isn't much of an issue (pretty easy on dirt / gravel). I know I could use a PS rack from a 1st gen but they're a little hard to find.

Thanks,
Dan

tims

with better than average fabrication skills anything will "fit", but it is no where near a bolt in. I thought the old first gens used a standard steering box/idler arm system and not a rack and pinion(could be wrong memory is totally gone).

BeaterRacer

Thanks. That's a good point; the 2nd gen has a rack and pinion while the 1st gen has an old-style recirculating ball. So, lots of fabbing or stick w/ 1st gen stuff.

peejay

It's been done.

You need the 2nd-gen crossmember, control arms, knuckles, and struts. You use the 2nd-gen steering column, and you're on your own for adapting the motor mounts to the FC crossmember.

The FC is a "front steer" system, while the 1st-gen is "rear steer". If you were somehow able to just bolt in the FC rack (the engine would be in the way, which is why it uses a recirc-ball setup in the first place) turning left would make the car go right. So, you pretty much swap EVERYTHING.

One advantage is that you can use FC 11" rotors and 4-pot calipers (GXL/Turbo II), but the downside to that is that you then have different lug patterns front vs. rear.

Base model FCs use GSL-SE sized front rotors and calipers (actually, they use the same exact basic caliper) as well as the GSL-SE bolt pattern.

I have the power steering. I don't like it very much, it's too disconnected feeling. However, at least it's not as bad as my early 70's Ford was... the only steering "feel" was how loud the front tires were howling

abeomid

You guys know what parts beside the steering box I need to put the PS box in a non-PS car. I don't care about the pump, I just need the lower ratio? Can I use my column or do I need a PS Column?

peejay

Yep, need column.

cach22

mmm very interesting i dont sapose you have any pics heheh

so do you know if you have to make up mounts for the steering column, also with the struts do they bolt into the 1st gen tower, also with the crossmemeber i don't sapose that bolts in either. I would love to do this conversion if i can find a bit more info i would give it a shot

cheers

Lance

Adsy01

Hey Lance,

I looked into this a few months ago it "could" be done, but it would be hard work..

the stud patten in the strut towers is different and would need some moding if either the tower or the bearing plates...
the crossmember is a matter of redrilling so it algins too the 1st gen bolts...

Also you would have to revert to the s2/4 engine mounts

the rack & steering coulmn would be a BIG pain in the **** IMO, you could do it and keep the std 1st gen steering if you were really just after the s4 struts....


I also worked out a way to install s4 struts in a 1st gen keeping the std crossmember, which would invole a fair bit less work PM me if you wanna know more

cach22

Adam you have a PM