rack and pinion conversions
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: LB9 5.0L TPI
Transmission: T-56 6spd manual
rack and pinion conversions
Does anyone know if there are either a rack and pinion conversion kit or if an existing rack and pinion will fit a third gen? Recirculating ball steering is just not quite tight enough for my taste and it is so heavy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
#2
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Bow, WA
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 3.27
Yeah, I'm wondering that too! The stock system is outdated and frankly, it's my least favorite mechanical part of my car.
#3
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Salem, NH
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1999 Z28
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 6 Speed
Axle/Gears: 9" 4.11 Truetrac
spohn is supposed to be making tubular K members with provisions for a 4th gen power rack conversion. this is on my wish list
#6
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Bow, WA
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 3.27
Are you serious D M N? Steve Spohn is the moderator of this board for one. Number two, Spohn makes and sells great aftermarket parts for our cars for extremely reasonable prices. Scroll to the top of your screen and click on Spohn Performance to check out his site. By the way, the k member is the part of your car that the engine sits on and the lower a arms attach to.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: LB9 5.0L TPI
Transmission: T-56 6spd manual
Any ideas on when the K-member is supposed to become available? I wasn't considering a K-member swap, but now I just might consider it.
#12
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Originally posted by D M N
89-up f-bodies that didnt have FE41 package had rack and pinion
89-up f-bodies that didnt have FE41 package had rack and pinion
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Right now 93 Lumina
Engine: 3.4 DOHC
Transmission: 4T60-E
are you sure?? This website tells me diffrent but most sites lie anyways so i could be wrong
http://store.meridianautoparts.com/M...ry_Code=CHECAM
Read the bottom part
http://store.meridianautoparts.com/M...ry_Code=CHECAM
Read the bottom part
Last edited by D M N; 11-28-2003 at 04:26 PM.
#16
Supreme Member
Re: rack and pinion conversions
Spohn does now offer a rack and pinion set up on their tubular cross member. Is anyone on here using it and if so what do you like , not like about it.
#17
Junior Member
iTrader: (4)
Re: rack and pinion conversions
All of the off-the-shelf racks that I've found are manual racks intended for drag race applications. They may or may not have bump-steer issues but they definitely have turning radius issues because they don't have enough travel. My recirculating ball box has just under 8" of travel. I called Flaming River and Unisteer to ask about a custom rack and the both said that they max out at 6". This would require the steering knuckles to be shortened in order to turn the wheel the same amount.
The bump steer results from most or all racks being too wide. A center take off rack with custom bracketry would solve this.
A few of us have been trying really hard to come up with a good rack and pinion solution but I'm not aware of anyone who's found one yet without significant compromise. Here's another thread with some good info:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...ion-right.html
The bump steer results from most or all racks being too wide. A center take off rack with custom bracketry would solve this.
A few of us have been trying really hard to come up with a good rack and pinion solution but I'm not aware of anyone who's found one yet without significant compromise. Here's another thread with some good info:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...ion-right.html
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 565ci 900 hp
Transmission: T56 Magnum by RPM Transmissions
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" w/4:56 Detroit Locker
Re: rack and pinion conversions
I have Racecraft K-member with unisteer pinto rack with 2" drop spindles with shorten arms. I have a bump steer kit on the car and have never experienced bump steer, turning radius is not a lot different than factory steering was.
I noticed a big difference when I put on a smaller steering wheel, but I went to one the same size a factory and it was easy to turn again. I had the pinto racks on all my drag race cars, this is the first street car I converted to a rack and so far have enjoyed it.
The reason why I converted was just to reduce weight on the front end of the car to make up the difference in the Big Block motor. With all the changes on the front of the car I was able to get rid of a couple hundred pounds
I noticed a big difference when I put on a smaller steering wheel, but I went to one the same size a factory and it was easy to turn again. I had the pinto racks on all my drag race cars, this is the first street car I converted to a rack and so far have enjoyed it.
The reason why I converted was just to reduce weight on the front end of the car to make up the difference in the Big Block motor. With all the changes on the front of the car I was able to get rid of a couple hundred pounds
#19
Re: rack and pinion conversions
{Ill post the same thing here as I just did on the Fabrication rack thread}
THis is such a simple install. you guys have to throw out everything you are imagining mounting one to a kemember up to this point, Just throw out that thought.
You hang this assembly from frame rail to frame rail more forward where the OEM steering box exists in front of the motor. This give you distance for the steering linkage, gives height adjustment for geometry, the custom bracket draglink allows for use of what ever distance take off points you need, and it duplicates the OEM drag link basics in tie rod configuration.
Keep the OEM Kmember.vYou can thank me later
Ps, you would not even need a wonderbar anymore...lol (trivial point, thought I'd throw that in for humor)
THis is such a simple install. you guys have to throw out everything you are imagining mounting one to a kemember up to this point, Just throw out that thought.
You hang this assembly from frame rail to frame rail more forward where the OEM steering box exists in front of the motor. This give you distance for the steering linkage, gives height adjustment for geometry, the custom bracket draglink allows for use of what ever distance take off points you need, and it duplicates the OEM drag link basics in tie rod configuration.
Keep the OEM Kmember.vYou can thank me later
Ps, you would not even need a wonderbar anymore...lol (trivial point, thought I'd throw that in for humor)
#20
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Georgetown TX
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Base 91 'bird
Engine: 3.1 v6
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.27 & PBR
Re: rack and pinion conversions
Looks great. Very clever. One off? Someone going to make them? A particular rack? what's the link made from and are the tie rod ends heim joints?
#21
#22
Re: rack and pinion conversions
Boy did this start some drama over on the fabrication board post.
I guess Im not as well known over there and took some mud slinging. So much for giving them my idea. TGO''s loss again.
I gave my idea to the one member that asked politely. I;ve also asked he respect my wishes to keep it close to his cuffs and not share it. He will confirm though I do have a design and it is not bullsh*t as those on the fabrication forum think I am lieing
Another sad day for TGO when the internet high chair crowd chimes in like they know all and ruin innovative intellect around here.
I guess Im not as well known over there and took some mud slinging. So much for giving them my idea. TGO''s loss again.
I gave my idea to the one member that asked politely. I;ve also asked he respect my wishes to keep it close to his cuffs and not share it. He will confirm though I do have a design and it is not bullsh*t as those on the fabrication forum think I am lieing
Another sad day for TGO when the internet high chair crowd chimes in like they know all and ruin innovative intellect around here.
#23
Member
iTrader: (6)
Re: rack and pinion conversions
Have you considered teaming up with UMI to make this R&P set up? You could make a $hit ton of money; hell I would buy one. UMI has some great fab skills; they just need a little direction... You could provide them direction. Just throwing an idea out there to you.
Last edited by Alice89; 09-19-2014 at 05:57 PM.
#24
Supreme Member
Re: rack and pinion conversions
{Ill post the same thing here as I just did on the Fabrication rack thread}
THis is such a simple install. you guys have to throw out everything you are imagining mounting one to a kemember up to this point, Just throw out that thought.
You hang this assembly from frame rail to frame rail more forward where the OEM steering box exists in front of the motor. This give you distance for the steering linkage, gives height adjustment for geometry, the custom bracket draglink allows for use of what ever distance take off points you need, and it duplicates the OEM drag link basics in tie rod configuration.
Keep the OEM Kmember.vYou can thank me later
Ps, you would not even need a wonderbar anymore...lol (trivial point, thought I'd throw that in for humor)
THis is such a simple install. you guys have to throw out everything you are imagining mounting one to a kemember up to this point, Just throw out that thought.
You hang this assembly from frame rail to frame rail more forward where the OEM steering box exists in front of the motor. This give you distance for the steering linkage, gives height adjustment for geometry, the custom bracket draglink allows for use of what ever distance take off points you need, and it duplicates the OEM drag link basics in tie rod configuration.
Keep the OEM Kmember.vYou can thank me later
Ps, you would not even need a wonderbar anymore...lol (trivial point, thought I'd throw that in for humor)
What rack did you use?
That almost looks like a "production" pic, or did you fab everything else up as well?
#25
Re: rack and pinion conversions
That is not my picture, It is a picture I took off Flaming Rivers site just to give people some thought and another idea to play with. I am not giving my idea (see my next post for better explination to NoShow)
#26
Re: rack and pinion conversions
LOL DAMN. I just went and read that whole mess. You know how to make friends on the internet man. I say that with a smile btw.
Have you considered teaming up with UMI to make this R&P set up? You could make a $hit ton of money; hell I would buy one. UMI has some great fab skills; they just need a little direction... You could provide them direction. Just throwing an idea out there to you.
Have you considered teaming up with UMI to make this R&P set up? You could make a $hit ton of money; hell I would buy one. UMI has some great fab skills; they just need a little direction... You could provide them direction. Just throwing an idea out there to you.
About 10 years ago I put up a "Mumford Link" design that was about 80% rendering of what my actual idea was. I keep some things secret, as well as I mix some things up so no one has the whole picture of my idea.
With this Mumford design (which I reversed the mount location to the bracket, not the axle) Good ol Sam Strano come into here and stole my renderings and produced a "reverse Watts link with the same exact crossbar link setup as what I show in that drawings- you can check the archieves for dates. His design however witht he reverse watts does not work, nor would the reverse Mumford, yet he produced the idea I assume but the dates do not lie with my drawings sparking the idea.
Noiw jump forward a little to Steve Spohn. I GAVE him a simple liittle idea of the rear upper coilover plate for starters, as well as I posted how I used BMR Bolt-on LCARB fro the added strength of the lower shock mount holding the weight of the car. I then was on the phone many times as well as messaging and drawings with developing his front coilover package- which I asked for a prototype as payment to help test- He basically ****ed me and shut the door on me after he developed it and gave the first to his employee KAT to test since I was clear out on the west coast- Yes I got fukked for being mr trusting and assuming he would do the right thing and give me a prototype free for helping with the development.
I gaurd my ideas. I willlay ideas out there, but I never truely give my renderings anymore nor do I give all the info. I will give ideas to put people on path, but will also give false info so they pursue a slightly different road to see what others come up with- but no, I do nopt give out any more info unless I am gauranteeds something in return.
As for helping? Ask how many people around me locally that I help for free. Also ask how a few of them have turned out ungrateful either towards me OR by not passing it along to helkp others- I drop them like a bad habit and they only screw themselves for being selfish. I help those grateful and those that will also pass things along and help others. I do NOT like seing anyone make a buck off someone else, and certainly not me.
#27
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Upland Pa
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Camaro Vert
Engine: 355 HSR
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 S60
Re: rack and pinion conversions
Noiw jump forward a little to Steve Spohn. I GAVE him a simple liittle idea of the rear upper coilover plate for starters, as well as I posted how I used BMR Bolt-on LCARB fro the added strength of the lower shock mount holding the weight of the car. I then was on the phone many times as well as messaging and drawings with developing his front coilover package- which I asked for a prototype as payment to help test- He basically ****ed me and shut the door on me after he developed it and gave the first to his employee KAT to test since I was clear out on the west coast- Yes I got fukked for being mr trusting and assuming he would do the right thing and give me a prototype free for helping with the development.
The coil over kit was yet my idea also. Back when HMS was making the aluminum strut mounts, I said to Steve, make them it of steel and put a locator in there for the upper spring mount. The adjusting sleeve was a knock off of a Afco sleeve the was made to work with a thirdgen strut and was designed by a local machinist. Same with the Torrington bearings...
And for getting fukked? I paid for all of that, after I moved on from working there. I spent a nice chunk of change there.
Oh and why I bring this up now, came across this post looking for something else.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post