anyone running a setup like this on their thirdgen....a version much like the 4thgens for example?

any ideas where i can learn more about this setup and the advantages or disadvantages overall?

 

Contact PA Racing. They do make a Rack&Pinion steering conversion for our cars, but its a manual Rack&Pinion so no power assist. Real PITA to drive that around I bet. There has been some talk about retrofitting the power assisted Rack&Pinion setup from a 4th gen mixing parts from the 4th gen and the PA racing kit, but I've never seen any results. Someone also mentioned using parts from a S10 but I dont know much about it to tell you the truth. Try a search? Good luck!

 

The type of rack you use all depends on the point of rotation of the tierods and the rack itself. If that isn't right you can get some real bad bump steer. The key is to get the tierod and the suspension traveling on parallel/concentric arcs. If not then as the suspension moves then the effective length of the tierod changes causing the wheel to turn in and out.

 

i appreciate the reply but have no idea what you just said!!

sounds good though....

crazy... i've been thinking about that very same idea adapting a 4thgen setup. i don't want a manual steering setup on my car.


no one has done anything like this here huh?

 

I am actualling planning on making the converion to rake and pinion this summer. I am going to try a few rack anmd pinion setups. I have access to pretty much everything.

 

guys, what exactly is the advantage to rack and pinion?
Oh common, manual steering ain't so bad. I used to own a 67 chevy stepside with a 3 on the tree, manual 4 wheel drums AND manual steering. I tell you what, driving that truck was all the exercise i ever needed. Believe it or not, I prefer manual steering. Power steering really only helps when going below 5 mph. I will say, though, that parallel parking that truck was a major, major PITA.

 

I have an oem 4th gen rack that the ends have been cut down and re-threaded so it's the right width for our cars. It's practically brand new with the exception of 15-20 miles. Inludes matching lines that fit it and our PS pump, and a couple brand new universals for a custom steering shaft, and 2 tie rod ends. I've abandoned the idea, I need a McLeod Street Twin worse, so I'll take $300 plus shipping for it.

 

ttt

 

Bruce Hawkins (Hawks Third Gen) is working on a 4th gen rack/tubular k-member converison. I spoke to him about it last week, and its still in the development stage, but it shouldn't be too much longer. You can call him at 864-855-2694.

 

3rd gens use a parallelogram steering setup. this compared to a 4th gen rack a pin setup is inferior in steering(stock setup mind you) but IMO much easier to work on. youd have to convert the modified spring/strut setup to an ISO spring setup like on the 4th gens to create room for the rack. rack and pin will also have more feel for the road which inturn will handle bumps much harder and will need to be aligned more often. not to mention if you destroy the spline on the rack youll need a whole new rack instead of an easy to install center link. it would be a cool mod for a show or to go circle track racing but as for me id take a parallelogram setup over a rack anyday. they still use the P system in cars today so it cant be all that bad

didnt you see what superchevy did with the suspension on the 92 rs a few months back? a little love and the P system can hang and/or out perform a rack

 

Kontrax, My 2001 WS6 certainly did NOT handle bumps harder, I noticed the steering felt much smoother than any of my 5 thirdgens.
I agree fully on the PITA factor of converting. Nor do I deny that a steering box system cannot be made to handle, just look at Nascar's on a roadcourse for proof.
My reasons for consideration of this mod aside from the preferance of the rack feel are the weight advantage and the cool factor it gives.

 

because your 2001 ws6 is a 2001... give it time and it will be just the same. i mean what do you expect, your comparing a 2001 to a 3rd gen thats has wear and tear on it. not to mention the vibrations knock everything loose on the 3rd gens so they rattle too. lets say you rebuilt the whole chassy of a 3rd gen with brand spankin new parts and stopped all the rattles inside the car, i promise you it would handle bumps a lot better but not outhandle a rack and pin