blakecharles

Hello,
I have done a bit of searching and and find no clear answer. I want to know if the LS1 steering rack can be used with the Racekraft drop spinals without effecting the cars steering radius.

If so, has anyone done this?
If not, is a power rack available that can be used (not interested in manual)?

fast377

iTrader: (4)

You can use whatever rack you want with those spindles. All you have to do is figure out how to mount the rack. I'm using a rack from a mid 90s thunderbird (same as a fox mustang with a little more travel).

blakecharles

noob question...
Looking on the PA racing website. thinking of using PA k-member and a-arms then later down the line (when my funds allow it) adding the drop spindals w/ LS1 brakes. Just at a glance, I don't see an upper a-arm on there site. Is one needed?

My car is a shell and has nothing in it.

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

There's a whole lot more to it than just putting a rack in place w/ some brackets. Is it a center take off or end take off rack? A center take off is easiest to fabricate a bracket on to get the tie rod geometry correct, with an end take off you need to pick the right pivot to pivot length rack and mount it so that it's on correspondence w/ the susp. geometry. if you want a horribly handling car with funky bump steer go for it, otherwise better do some reasearch first

blakecharles

Thanx for both of your responses,
I only ask because my friend has a steering rack from a 2000 Camaro laying around. I was going to by it from him, but not if it's going to compromise my steering radius or add a VARY nasty bump steer. I'm not going to have too much trouble mounting the rack. Has anyone used the drop spindals w/ a power rack? I'm building a daily driver (DD). I have no real use for all the manual racks everyone seems to offer.

Can't seem to get a clear answer on this.
not a fan of the appleton racks (price and quality not that great)

radical82

Dropped spindles should have no effect on whether or not you use a rack as long as the length of the steering arm is the same. Not knowing your experience level on front suspension and steering I would caution you on making sure the geometry is correct, not just the bump steer but also need to give some consideration to the Ackerman angle... When converting to rack and pinion from a box, it's best done with some turnplates, caster/camber gauge, and a fixture and dial indicators to check your bump steer.... Done properly this will greatly improve your steering, but done wrong the car will be an ill handling monster!

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

A corvette rack is end take off. You need to measure how wide it is from tie rod pivot to pivot and check if that can be aligned with the lower control arm geometry.

What's wrong with appleton racks? They are compact and easily adjustable/customizable if you have the proper rack ends you can fine tune the geometry too if you want without resorting to tie rod end spacers. The fact that they are very narrow means you can use them in just about any chassis. Sweet, woodward have similar racks. Woodward is high end quality for sure.

If there is one car w/ a narrow front end geometry it's a C2/3 corvette, this is mine w/ an appleton R&P

blakecharles

I realize the drop spindal has nothing to do with providing proper geometry for steering, but I am going to be lowering my car. These spindals are made to use with r&p. I'm just looking to find out if the LS1 steering rack can be used with these spinals (because there is one laying around and I really like R&P)? will it cause more problems then it's worth? Are we simply meant to use the box the 3rd gen comes with? There seems to be no simple solution to this sort of swap.

haha! No I suppose your right Twin_turbo... I have never worked with them. I have been hearing stories. But like most products, there are more ppl satisfied then ppl that are not. I can get the LS1 rack from my friend for less then $100 and for diff in price don't see a big diff in quality. This car may never see a track.

blakecharles

Okay, I think I might give up on this swap... been doing a lot of reading that seems to go in circles and I don't have the equipment to fab my own stuff. Seems like these spindles are not enough to make this work properly.

I have to pick one of the following
- mount the rack as is and F'up my steering radius
- mod a steering rack to fit and probably still have some bump steer

blakecharles

Is there a way to not have as much "assist" while steering the car to get the "feel" that I'm looking to get?

radical82

It's no bolt on deal, for sure. If you don't have the correct equipment to set up the front end geometry then it would be best to stay away from the swap...

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

yes, use an adjustable valve to reduce flow to the servo, however reduce it too much and you get pump catch and lag.

DeanJ

You can swap in a manual box from a S-10 pickup. It'll bolt right in with no fab work. That's what I'm going to do on my land speed car.