Just wanted to ask, those who track their cars with a manual rack, is there a large difference in steering difficulty when running larger tires? And in addition to that question, what size tires are you guys running, or recommendations? Right now my FD is sitting on 18x9.5 wheels with 255/35r18s all around. Considering getting new wheels and sizing up the rubber, but just want to know what others are doing in that department with a manual rack. Ive had CCWs on my FD in the past with the common 285/30r18 on all 4 corners, but that was back when I still had power steering. Only cars Ive had alot of seat time before with manual racks were smaller cars running considerably smaller tires.

 

IMO the wheel offset is an important factor that will affect the steering difficulity.



However, I think it is best to keep power steering, for a long time I wanted to delete it then I drove around with it disconnected and also drove a car with a converted rack and was not impressed.

 

I guess it is a personal preference. I know if my FD was a car I used as a DD, or even transportation in general I would most likely keep it. Low speeds is a pain, even in my old civic hatch with 185s and manual steering it sucked as a DD. But, for a track/toy car only I do like the response and feel of a manual rack. But anyway, thats open for debate. I was just wondering what some of the others were running as far as sizes/offsets and open to recommendations based off that. Thanks

 

Well my car has 255 up front and without the powersteering hooked up, it was definately manageable.

I just did not like it because I practically daily drive the car and having to expend increased effort was not worth it to me. And fwiw I did not "feel" the road better so for me there was no gain.

 

I've run 285/30-18 up front with the Maval manual rack. Definitely gives great steering feel, and on the street it's not bad once you learn how to gain extra leverage on the steering wheel. On track, it was a bit of a workout on long sweepers. This was back when I had my old S-R seats with minimal bolstering, once I picked up some proper trackday seats (Recaro SPA) it was much better.

 

Just need one of these.

Actually there was a very cool machine Nico Rosberg was using in one of the F1 pre-show featurettes last year for the BBC. I can't find a picture, but it was a cable/pulley type machine with a wheel attached.

I run 255s with a 15:1 manualized rack, 235 BFG R1 at the track, 6.5 deg caster. I can still give point-bys while cornering, though I'm also not that fast (what gave it away? That I have to give point-bys?). I'm also 6ft 230.

I still may switch to a power 15:1 with a different, low assist pump, but what I have now is way better than the S5 na 17:1 system.

 

I always hated the numb steering feel of the FD.

But, I have a high ratio manual rack in my FC and it is just too slow and hard to steer for auto-x and even corrections when getting drifty with 255 DOT-Rs on 30 offset (40 stock). It slows me down.

I recently put the wrong offset wheels (18x10.5 +38) on my FD because it is hard to find wide wheels with more offset and I have to say the increased scrub radius helped increase the steering feel and effort in a good way.

 

I ran a full converted manual rack for 3 yrs and this year i went back to PS and i can 100%honestly tell you that i will never go back to manual steering in any vehicle ever in my life!!

 

i can agree to this increasing the scrub radius and rack ratio will get you the "feel" you are looking for.

 

Manual racks take some muscle to tame in long sweepers. Doing back to back sessions on the Roval at Cal Speedway gave me the same arm pump I get from riding dirtbikes!

 

I have a manual rack sitting in my garage that im putting on this weekend. (old on busted when i hit a curb to avoid accident) ive drove mine with ps pump disconnected and liked it. Most my other cars get manual racks so maybe its just a personal thing

 

Anyone have a manual rack F/S or no where i could try to get one? also need the intermediate shaft and clamps that hold rack in place.Thanks Carl