Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 29, 2014 | 11:50 PM
  #1  
Roc89's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Canada
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 6.0L Twin GTK450
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

I am curious if anyone has done this swap in their 3rd gen. I am currently working on my 89 IROC with a LS sway, I have a UMI K-member. I've heard a lot people talk about the Mustang and 4th gen racks, would any of these work with fabrication?
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2014 | 11:59 PM
  #2  
TTOP350's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

Been done. Do a quick search, many topics about it and the limits it brings.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 01:21 PM
  #3  
Roc89's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Canada
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 6.0L Twin GTK450
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

I've searched but all I find is manual rack conversion, not power
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 02:55 PM
  #4  
TTOP350's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

Most just go manual for drag racing. Power rack would be the same but you have to hook up the psi and return line.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 04:27 PM
  #5  
Roc89's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Canada
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 6.0L Twin GTK450
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

Gotya, is there any way that i would be able to use the 4th gen camaro rack?
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 04:32 PM
  #6  
TTOP350's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

I think the info is in the threads.
maybe if you have it narrowed and rethreaded
Remember, your turning radius will not be as good
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 04:34 PM
  #7  
Roc89's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Canada
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 6.0L Twin GTK450
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

appreciate the info man!!
might have to leave this one for the shop though!
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 06:28 PM
  #8  
TTOP350's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

I don't think anyone has found a good solution to fix the reduced turning radius yet.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 10:15 PM
  #9  
Roc89's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Canada
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 6.0L Twin GTK450
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

I've heard guys saying that a 6" radius would be good, whats your take
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 02:07 PM
  #10  
Roostmeyer's Avatar
Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS
Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.1L Gen III
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.70
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

Available travel is the first issue with a lot of racks, reducing your turning radius. Our steering arms are ~7" long compared to ~5" in a lot of other cars so it takes more steering travel to move the wheels.

The next issue is bump-steer issues caused by center to center width on most racks. The stock center link is like 15.5" between tie rod centers. You want the tie rods to be close to the same length as the LCA. The greater the discrepancy, the more severe bump-steer issues you'll have. For this I'd suggest using circle track rack racing rack and pinions. For drag racing you can get manual versions as well.

I've been looking into this, but I'll probably run out of time/funds this winter to complete it. I've got an ebay used 18.25" center to center rack I'd like to try.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2015 | 09:14 AM
  #11  
tomsaddy's Avatar
Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 54
From: Savannah, GA
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: TT LC9
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.50
Re: rack and pinion conversion in 89 camaro

This topic has caused some very dramatic conversation on these boards. There are some that say it can be done (but haven't done it) and other's that say it's impossible to do it right.

I've researched it pretty heavily before giving up and rebuilding my recirculating ball setup with all new hardware.

The issues, as stated earlier, are turning radius and bump steer. You need a rack that has 7 to 8 inches of travel, but is narrow enough that you can have tie rods as long as your current setup. A center takeoff rack solves the second problem, but I haven't found anyone that makes a rack with that much travel. A modified spindle could solve the travel problem by reducing the length of the steering arm, but no too many people are willing to mess with this.

When looking at other racks to try, make sure you get a front steer (the steering knuckle is forward of the spindle) instead of a rear steer (the steering knuckle if aft of the spindle).

If you solve both problems, let us know because there is a lot of interes.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Terrell351
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
5
Jun 13, 2021 01:13 PM
armybyrd
Electronics
9
Dec 5, 2015 09:22 AM
Thomas
Exterior Parts for Sale
21
Oct 7, 2015 05:33 PM
Thomas
Interior Parts for Sale
12
Oct 3, 2015 05:34 PM
hectre13
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
7
Aug 26, 2015 08:17 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:09 PM.