mooseknuckle

has anybody put rack and pinion steering kit in there cars. i think im going to buy a kit for 600$ i heard its not that hard to install and should be a big improvement.

toxic_d

There are two real options for an R&P swap... One is the CP Racing kit from Canada, They seem to get easily overwhelmed as a company and tend to have a reputation for shipping later than expected. From what I hear there is a bit of binding in the setup to start out with that eventually breaks in.

The second option is a second gen subframe swap... If you have an 84 or 85 GSL-SE then make sure and get the 4 lug version as the bolt pattern matches up. Other wise you will have to run different rims front and back until you can get the rear hubs drilled to a matching pattern. There are a few writeups on this swap one here and Mazspeed site and a second different writeup at the BCrx7 site.

With the second gen subframe swap you get the added benefit of a brake upgrade at the same time. You can do so without changing the brake master cylinder.

Toxic_d

smnc

I got the CP Kit and loved it. Unfotunatly it's about the same turning radius lock-to-lock, but there is no slop or play in the wheel, it's easy to turn even at low speeds, and much better feedback too!

Here's the write-up from mazspeed...
http://www.mazspeed.com/forum/thread...215&boardid=44

The CP option is a lot less work imo...
And since the 2nd gen brakes are a peice of cake using the REspeed or CP kits...

The 2nd gen subframe way would probably be cheaper, but a helluva lotta work...

Rx Seven

iTrader: (12)

Do you have the original Rack and Pinion Kit from CP or the upated one's that came out?

mooseknuckle

yea the cp kit was what i was planning on getting. my steering is really loose right now and i want r and p anyways. how hard was the cp kit to install it looks fairly easy.

smnc

I have the latest... Version 2.1
The original was pretty good. I got to play with the prototype quite a bit

Version 2 was better, but had a slight clearance issue with the oil-drain plug.

Version 2.1 has no bugs that I was able to determine.

I did have one tiny problem, but it was my car, not the kit that caused it.
Basically my engine mounts were COMPLETELY shot, so when I stomped the gas hard in my ported out engine, it would shift a bit and touch one of the u-joints on the steering.

Basically it caused a bit of binding in the steering when accelerating hard.
Drove me NUTS trying to figure it out, too!

Once I found the problem, new mounts fixed it right up.

After talking to Chris, I was apprently the only one to report a problem, so it was likely a combination of my ported 13B and NO rubber left in the engine mount.

smnc

Unfortunatly, at the time I was working 60+ hour weeks, so I had to get the guys at CP to do the install for me.

I have watched/helped them install them before, and it is pretty simple. The steering column modification is the hardest part, and it's not too bad.

RustyRotary

iTrader: (2)

I don't remember if this is the CP R+P kit I'm thinking of, but isn't the steering column in that kit non-collapsible? I'd rather have some steering wheel play than risk getting impaled by a steering column in a head on collision...

deimox

CP Racing's v2 R&P swap didn't have a sheer pin has this been fixed in 2.1?

smnc

There stll is no sheer pin, but here's the thing.
The steering column only protrudes about 2 inches beyond the firewall with the kit installed, befoe the u-joint.

I can't imagine ANY way an accident could push the column more than 2 or so inches into the passenger cabin, and even then it would have to obliterate most of the engine bay first.

mooseknuckle

and plus if you crash ur rx7 who wants to live anyways. lol

RustyRotary

iTrader: (2)

You can't imagine, huh? Just like that German on vacation with his family in America couldn't imagine that driving over a jack on the highway could result in it getting hooked on his undercarriage, turning over, and thrusting through the floor and then his torso, killing him instantly?

If engineers just "imagined" what would happen in car accidents, there wouldn't be test cars. And apparently there wouldn't be collapsible steering columns either.

If you want to drive around with a steel tube waiting to be shoved into your chest, go ahead. Personally, I am not going to go ADDING ways to die in an car that was made before almost every current safety regulation was in place. Enjoy your steering response.

smnc

Whoa!!! Ease up!
I didn't say YOU or anyone else HAS to do this, so back off a bit.
I simply stated my opinion.
If you don't want to install it, fine.
If you want to tell other people your concerns/opinions, go right ahead.
But, there is no reason to turn this into a personal attack.


By my observations, here is my opinion.

Firstly, the stock column sticks out about THREE INCHES farther into the engine bay, making it a total of 5 or so. PLUS the stock steering box (About 5 more inches as I recall). PLUS the Pitman arm (another few inches). All of these pieces form a more or less straight line towards the front of the car (well, the Pitman arm is debatable).

In that configuration it's very plausible that the steering column could intrude a foot or more into the cabin in a fairly severe accident. More than enough to impale the driver.

With the CP Kit there is only about 2-3 inches and then a u-joint. with the connecting rod going steeply downward. In that configuration, it's far less likely that the steering column would intrude enough (or at all) into the cabin to injure the driver.

Secondly, with improved steering response and accuracy I believe I'm far LESS likely to be involved in a severe accident, as it is much easier to avoid other cars, debris, etc.

And as for that first incident you mentioned, that's what's referred to as a random freak accident, and by its very definition cannot be planned for. I don’t see what that accident has to do with anything. And, as I mentioned, improved steering means AVOIDING objects on the highway.

smnc

Also, if you're so inclined, I don't see any reason why you can't replace the stock CP Metal Split pin with somthing softer. In theory that would allow the column to collapse. However if the replacement pin is too soft you could accidentally sheer it, and that would be bad while driving...

Slammed_GSL

iTrader: (14)

I installed the ghetto version of CP's Rack in May of 2004, Junkyard 84' Rabbit rack and steering column....10 hrs and it was done. Time included the head scratching and interpeting the CP installation instructions that they so kindly posted on their site.
I'm thinking of going to a FC sub frame and redrill back to 4x110 bolt pattern....I really like my 15' Enkie's, WED's and Epsilons too much to give them up for the other wheels...yet. Never say never.

smnc

Don't like the rack? I didn't play with the version 1 rack too much, but I thought it was LOADS better than stock.

Never played with a car that had the 2nd gen swap in.

2nd gens have never impressed me with their handling, but considering how much they weigh, that's not suprising.

I imagine in the lighter 1st gen chasis, the FC steering would be a lot better than FB stock...

Jon_Valjean

I find it hard to justify using a replacement steering unit to start off with, but I find it impossible to consider if it's not collapsable. I'd prefer to have something custom made that would offer the level of safety I would expect.

Having said that, do CP racing do this in RHD yet? I'd be at least very interested to see some kind of schematic mock-up.

smnc

I'm not aware on any RHD development in the works... but I can ask Chris next time I see him...

I had never considered replacing the stock steering on my car, but after playing with the version 1 prototype a bit I was sold...

And as Chris has always told me:
If you can do it (better) yourself, go for it.

I, personally, don't have the skills to fab a steering set-up soo....

mooseknuckle

im def going to install the cp kit ill let you guys know how it works out for me. cross your fingers and hope i dont impale myself with the colom

smnc

Lol... just try not to hit any brick walls doing 100+mph and you should be okay