Flaming River quick-ratio boxes
12-25-09, 01:09 PM
#1
Flaming River quick-ratio boxes
Anyone every consider or use a Flaming River quick-ratio steering box as a replacement for the original box? A forum search turned up nothing.
The redesigned Vega quick-ratio box first caught my eye, but they offer a few options for other vehicle applications, as well. Pros/cons?
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cf...=cat/cat73.htm
Thanks!
The redesigned Vega quick-ratio box first caught my eye, but they offer a few options for other vehicle applications, as well. Pros/cons?
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cf...=cat/cat73.htm
Thanks!
12-25-09, 11:04 PM
#3
Lives on the Forum
Definitely. For that much money, you might as well get the benefits of a nice R&P system. Respeed has already done all of the R&D work, and came up with another great product. I'd grab one in a heartbeat if it wasn't for classing restrictions in SCCA Autocross. 
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12-26-09, 09:21 PM
#4
As much as I'd like to have the ReSpeed conversion kit (it's been on the WANT list for a while), I don't NEED it if I can find an alternative. A few hundred dollars saved could be put into another fix/upgrade on my resto project. That's why I'm looking for options.
12-26-09, 10:04 PM
#5
I hate drum brakes
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That kit changes so much on the car that it completely outweighs the want/need/save/spend money on other stuff side of the equation. The side effects alone of that kit are awesome perks in themselves, ie. "Woah lookit that, no more bump steer!", or "God damn, the steering on this thing feels better than the Porsche now." Not to mention that the fact that the car becomes front-steer and is a million times easier to align.
12-26-09, 10:55 PM
#6
Lives on the Forum
Hey, I didn't notice before that you are also from Michigan. Have we met yet?
Boxman has it nailed. Save your money for the R&P. In the mean time, have you tried adjusting the steering box to tighten things up yet? It can actually help a lot. I did it a couple of years ago, and did a writeup on it, and it made one hell of a difference. I've got the link saved on my work computer, so I'll post it up when I go back in on Monday. It might improve things enough that you can wait and save up some cash for the R&P. Also, make sure your front end pieces (tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm) are all in good shape.
Do you have any interest at all in getting into Autocross (or any other type of racing)?
Boxman has it nailed. Save your money for the R&P. In the mean time, have you tried adjusting the steering box to tighten things up yet? It can actually help a lot. I did it a couple of years ago, and did a writeup on it, and it made one hell of a difference. I've got the link saved on my work computer, so I'll post it up when I go back in on Monday. It might improve things enough that you can wait and save up some cash for the R&P. Also, make sure your front end pieces (tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm) are all in good shape.
Do you have any interest at all in getting into Autocross (or any other type of racing)?
12-27-09, 01:49 PM
#7
Hey, I didn't notice before that you are also from Michigan. Have we met yet?
Boxman has it nailed. Save your money for the R&P. In the mean time, have you tried adjusting the steering box to tighten things up yet? It can actually help a lot. I did it a couple of years ago, and did a writeup on it, and it made one hell of a difference. I've got the link saved on my work computer, so I'll post it up when I go back in on Monday. It might improve things enough that you can wait and save up some cash for the R&P. Also, make sure your front end pieces (tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm) are all in good shape.
Do you have any interest at all in getting into Autocross (or any other type of racing)?
Boxman has it nailed. Save your money for the R&P. In the mean time, have you tried adjusting the steering box to tighten things up yet? It can actually help a lot. I did it a couple of years ago, and did a writeup on it, and it made one hell of a difference. I've got the link saved on my work computer, so I'll post it up when I go back in on Monday. It might improve things enough that you can wait and save up some cash for the R&P. Also, make sure your front end pieces (tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm) are all in good shape.
Do you have any interest at all in getting into Autocross (or any other type of racing)?
I've exceeded the adjustability of the power steering box over the past several years - it's shot. It still works, but has 2-3" of play.
The car is stripped and I'm slowly going through it. Engine, rear end, and drive shaft are done. Transmission is next, then stripping/repairing the body, followed by the steering, suspension, and brakes in the spring. To keep things on track, I'm sorting through my steering options, now.
It's not a matter of saving up money for the ReSpeed setup, just a matter of managing the overall budget.
Maybe we can get together somewhere this next year.
Project pics below...
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12-27-09, 06:14 PM
#10
Yes, more stable, but also 4" higher than without the 4x4's and I can more easily shift them forward and backward to get better access to different areas. Just a temporary setup to allow me to drop the engine/suspension out until I figure out a better approach. I keep trying to justify putting $$$ into some form of rotisserie, which would be ideal.
12-27-09, 10:06 PM
#11
Lives on the Forum
Looks like a good project. I don't know if you would be interested, but I do have a complete spare steering box sitting out in the garage. Came with a parts car that I bought a few years ago, and I never had a need for it. Seems to be in good shape, no detectable slop.
Was that meet in Lansing the one at Buffalo Wild Wings?
Was that meet in Lansing the one at Buffalo Wild Wings?
12-27-09, 10:25 PM
#12
I looked into rotisseries until I saw the prices they wanted for prefabbed ones. Then Concept is simple and any competent welder can make one. I started researching on how to make them, not that hard but I didn't really have the space to store one when it would be out of use.
If you decide to go with the Flaming River box and are putting wide tires on the 7, consider going with the powered unit. Once I installed the Epsilons on the widebody, I had to install power steering. I've heard members say only weaklings and pussies use PS, but parking was a bitch and the PS has already saved me from wrecking the WB doing a burnout in the driveway. Missed hitting the side of the house 'by that much' as Maxwell Smart used say, lol.
If you decide to go with the Flaming River box and are putting wide tires on the 7, consider going with the powered unit. Once I installed the Epsilons on the widebody, I had to install power steering. I've heard members say only weaklings and pussies use PS, but parking was a bitch and the PS has already saved me from wrecking the WB doing a burnout in the driveway. Missed hitting the side of the house 'by that much' as Maxwell Smart used say, lol.
12-27-09, 11:22 PM
#13
Was that meet in Lansing the one at Buffalo Wild Wings?
I looked into rotisseries until I saw the prices they wanted for prefabbed ones. Then Concept is simple and any competent welder can make one. I started researching on how to make them, not that hard but I didn't really have the space to store one when it would be out of use.
Well, if anyone has any info about FR boxes or other options, please let me know. I'll post anything useful that I come up with.
12-28-09, 08:45 AM
#14
(STEERING) Steering Box Modification
Nothing ever became of this thread. Anyone have experience replacing worm gear and the cross shaft sector gear with Mustang or other make/model parts?
https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/x7-productions-steering-trick-666183/
https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/x7-productions-steering-trick-666183/
12-28-09, 10:58 AM
#15
Lives on the Forum
He signed up with the military and (last I heard) was getting out of rotaries altogether.
He came over to my place, and disassembled one of my spare boxes with the intention of putting a writeup together. That box is still in pieces, and he never got me part numbers or anything so that I could complete it myself. Could be a complete myth, or maybe he'll turn up again someday to finish what we started.
He came over to my place, and disassembled one of my spare boxes with the intention of putting a writeup together. That box is still in pieces, and he never got me part numbers or anything so that I could complete it myself. Could be a complete myth, or maybe he'll turn up again someday to finish what we started.
12-28-09, 07:15 PM
#20
Scott
i agree that if you are not ready to use muscle when parking a widebody that p/s is very helpful. My wife does not like trying to park our widebody and I am always esp careful when we take her to car meets where things tend to get a little tight.
i agree that if you are not ready to use muscle when parking a widebody that p/s is very helpful. My wife does not like trying to park our widebody and I am always esp careful when we take her to car meets where things tend to get a little tight.
12-28-09, 07:30 PM
#21
Dave, it's not that I'm not ready to use muscles, I grew up with manual steering and bus sized steering wheels. I've found the ps unit to be just as accurate/precise as the manual, maybe even more so. And the unit does depower some after a certain speed. I just can't see fighting with manual steering in critical situations. The power steering gives me a much faster response time.
And to dispel the rumor that race car drivers don't use power steering, NASCAR runs ps just to make left hand turns and Formula 1 does also.
I built the widebody not only to handle well, but also to be enjoyable driving. With stock wheels/tires, I can do w/o ps, but with 9" wide rims in the front, manual steering takes all the fun out of it.
And to dispel the rumor that race car drivers don't use power steering, NASCAR runs ps just to make left hand turns and Formula 1 does also.
I built the widebody not only to handle well, but also to be enjoyable driving. With stock wheels/tires, I can do w/o ps, but with 9" wide rims in the front, manual steering takes all the fun out of it.
12-28-09, 10:25 PM
#23
Didn't think you were Dave. Most of the post is for the other members who want argue about the merits of PS. If they want to call me a ***** for installing PS or think it takes away from the true sports car nature of a 1st gen, so be it. I really don't care. The PS suits me fine and I'm glad I installed it.
Btw, when your wife and daughters stopped by to pick up the parts I sold you, I was very impressed. They were very charming and you're a lucky man to have have such wonderful family. Please give them my regards, talking to them brightened my day.
Btw, when your wife and daughters stopped by to pick up the parts I sold you, I was very impressed. They were very charming and you're a lucky man to have have such wonderful family. Please give them my regards, talking to them brightened my day.
02-04-10, 09:59 AM
#24
Back to the original post...
I took the easy way out and ordered the Re-Speed R&P conversion. Was looking to save $200-$300, overall, but I'm probably saving that much in Motrin and time by going this direction.
Would still like to see this idea fleshed out, but not by me on this project...
I took the easy way out and ordered the Re-Speed R&P conversion. Was looking to save $200-$300, overall, but I'm probably saving that much in Motrin and time by going this direction.
Would still like to see this idea fleshed out, but not by me on this project...