Anyone tried putting a 4th gen rack and pinion steering system on a 3rd gen?

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Jan 21, 2001 | 10:51 PM
  #1  
I was thinking of doing it, looks like it would work but wanted to know if anyone had tried it.

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1987 Trans Am GTA WS6
-5.7L SuperRam
-TFS Twisted Wedge Heads
-LT4 HOTCAM
-LT1 PM Rods
-4L60-E Transmission
-LS1 Aluminum Driveshaft
-4.10 SRD

1988 Pontiac Grand Am
-3800 SFI V6
-125-C Trans
-Stock 2.5L converter (stalls at about 3000)
-Stock emissions equipment
Domestic Terrors Car Club Online
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Jan 22, 2001 | 03:02 AM
  #2  
the whole front suspension is different.

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6
[soon to be Torch Red with black hood and headlights =) ]

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

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Jan 22, 2001 | 12:34 PM
  #3  
I know the whole front suspension is different. But based on the measurements I have already taken, it looks like it would work.
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Jan 22, 2001 | 03:58 PM
  #4  
Just curious, & no offense meant, but.. why do this?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
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Jan 22, 2001 | 11:52 PM
  #5  
well, a lot of reasons, have you ever driven a rack and pinion car? the steering feel is so much more responsive and positive. another good reason, how much do you think an aluminum rack and pinion weighs compared to all the steel and cast iron of the factory 3rd gen? big difference, probably looking at at least 50 lb difference off the front!
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Jan 23, 2001 | 06:20 AM
  #6  
am not 100%sure of the measurements (am in aus and we dont get to many 4th gens to look at )
i have read on these boards that the 4th gen tracks around 3 to 4 inches wider than our 3rd gens ..if that is the case i would imagine that shortening the stering arms onto our cars would introduce unwanted bump steer ...will be great when/if someone adapts rack and pinion for 3rd gen i hate the feel of a steering box compared to the rack
maybe the steeroids (sp) people will develop one in time
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Jan 23, 2001 | 09:31 PM
  #7  
I wish I could offer more information on this subject but I've heard of a rack and pinion being done to a 3rd gen before. However, I don't know were the source of the parts came from possibily not even a 4th gen but plenty of other cars have come stock with rack and pinion.

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1984 WS6 Trans Am Hartop
Former L69 Car under restoration
1984 Trans Am T-tops
4-bolt main 350, headers, Holley 650, T-5, dual elec. fans and 3.23's.
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Jan 23, 2001 | 09:44 PM
  #8  
Probably get shorter tie rods, hard part would be mounting it.

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Jan 23, 2001 | 10:16 PM
  #9  
Somewhere i think I saw a kit for a 3rd gen to put a Pinto rack & pinion on it. Anyone know where to get this?

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1991 Z28 - 350 TPI, T56, McLeod street clutch, ported plenum & runners, AFPR, Holley Annihilator ignition box and wires, Hooker shorty headers w/o AIR, Flowmaster muffler, homeade ram-air, SSM subframe connectors, Kenny Brown STB, Global West steering box brace, Steve Spohn adjustable torque arm and T56 crossmember
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Jan 27, 2001 | 11:54 AM
  #10  
I've seen conversions done using pinto racks on an aftermarket tubular crossmember/A-arm kit. It was for the drag racing crowd. I don't think it would improve the steering. Since I'm learning to weld and have to sold my 89 IROC, I have to start from scratch; I'm thinking of attempting to graft a complete 88-96 vette front suspension under a third gen if possible along with the IRS which has already been done. It's just an idea, I may just go with a 99-up WS6 or Firehawk since they have a good SLA fornt suspension from the factory. Later, Draino
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Jan 28, 2001 | 04:12 PM
  #11  
http://www.paracing.com

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1982 Camaro Z28

should be running 11's this spring...we'll see
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Jan 14, 2005 | 12:58 PM
  #12  
has anyone triied to do this swap from a 4th gen?
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Jan 18, 2005 | 10:28 AM
  #13  
ive seen the paracing kit good stuff and not that expensive.but if it works let us know
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Jan 19, 2005 | 08:32 AM
  #14  
I have a front rack from a 4th gen F-body that's like new AND already been narrowed to fit a 3rd gen. It also includes the lines to go to your ps pump and a universal joint adapter that replaces the rag joint. All you need to do is get a bump steer kit and have a mounting bracket welded on your front crossmember.
$375 shipped takes it.
Alot cheaper than the setup Hawk's has!
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Jan 19, 2005 | 12:56 PM
  #15  
I have a used 93 k member I'll let go of for dirt in Michigan.

If you need anything related let me know... I've got nothing to do with the stuff and only need the motor and trans.
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Jan 21, 2005 | 05:52 AM
  #16  
http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/in...?v=1&pid=16988
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Jan 21, 2005 | 06:41 AM
  #17  
Thats awesome.
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Feb 3, 2005 | 05:55 PM
  #18  
WOW, that pricey! I barely have that invested into my whole car. Looks pretty trick though. I think if I had to make a choice, I would put that kind of money into my engine, or a real good brake system.
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Feb 4, 2005 | 10:07 PM
  #19  
Looks familiar
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Oct 10, 2011 | 11:16 PM
  #20  
Re: Anyone tried putting a 4th gen rack and pinion steering system on a 3rd gen?
has anyone done this?
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Oct 10, 2011 | 11:27 PM
  #21  
Re: Anyone tried putting a 4th gen rack and pinion steering system on a 3rd gen?
Its been done many times.
the problem is the turning radius sucks because of the spindle arm length difference. 3rd gens are longer than 4th gen, which means the car wont turn as tight..
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Oct 11, 2011 | 06:06 AM
  #22  
Re: Anyone tried putting a 4th gen rack and pinion steering system on a 3rd gen?
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.ph...005/FR40022PLN
check out this rack it will fit pinto rack mounts which all manufactures of k-members for our cars have!
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