Why Has No One Converted To Rack And Pinion
#28
Rotax, Rotaries & Turbos
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Western Maine
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just want to throw out, my father has a chassis shop and builds chassis' and independent front suspensions for for streetrods and race cars. One thing to keep in mind is the width of the pivot points on the rack should be equal to, or as close to the width of the pivot points of the lower control arms as possible. This is to eliminate bump steer. Also if you don't like Pinto, Mustang II is the same exact front suspension. For rear steer applications we use "K" car rear steer racks. I am not sure how either of these will work with the RX7 suspension, if it is too narrow, the rods that pivot on the rack can be taken off and adapters can be made to widen the racks pivot points, if it too wide, keep looking for a better product. I plan on doing this also in a couple years, as of now, my list is too long to consider this switch.
#29
Function > Form
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Catonsville MD (baltimore suburb)
Posts: 10,890
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
1 Post
Just wanted to thank you guys for your imput. This is something that I think NEEDS to be done for us. So hopefully I or one of us could complete this project in the next year or so. I think I'm going to put some other projects on the back burner to figure this one out. Please keep the info coming in. Thanx
#30
HEAVY METAL THUNDER
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Elsenborn, Belgian Eifel
Posts: 3,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really wonder how difficult it would be to transfer the FC steering system (with PS and all) to the FB. And put it in front, just as the FC... Not sure if it'd be possible. Well, all is possible, but if gains would be worth the efforts?
Point is I have a FC that is used as a donor car for an engine swap, so might use some other parts too, as I paid for them anyway :-)
Point is I have a FC that is used as a donor car for an engine swap, so might use some other parts too, as I paid for them anyway :-)
#31
Right near Malloy
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
Posts: 7,847
Received 513 Likes
on
348 Posts
Originally posted by rotary emotions
I really wonder how difficult it would be to transfer the FC steering system (with PS and all) to the FB. And put it in front, just as the FC... Not sure if it'd be possible. Well, all is possible, but if gains would be worth the efforts?
Point is I have a FC that is used as a donor car for an engine swap, so might use some other parts too, as I paid for them anyway :-)
I really wonder how difficult it would be to transfer the FC steering system (with PS and all) to the FB. And put it in front, just as the FC... Not sure if it'd be possible. Well, all is possible, but if gains would be worth the efforts?
Point is I have a FC that is used as a donor car for an engine swap, so might use some other parts too, as I paid for them anyway :-)
As I recall, the struts, control arms, and cross member were all 2nd gen...
The only problem with this was that the ride height was increased signifigantly.
I have no further infomration on this swap, it's just what I remember. Perhaps someone could filter throught he archives and see what they can find? Something relating to bigger brakes, enigne swap, or rack and pinion steering could all be the search terms. I don't remember what the original post was about though.
#32
sold the FD...kept the FB
I think a rack from a rear steer is the way to go, if you plan to keep it rear steer. If you try to adapt a rack from a front steer (pinto, FC, etc.) you will have more complications since it will need to be reversed some how....Think about it - When a front steer car wants to go left, it pushes the left wheel and pulls on the right side. When a rear steer car goes left it does the opposite.
Manntis, what makes you say we might need to raise the engine, have you found theres not enough room?
Manntis, what makes you say we might need to raise the engine, have you found theres not enough room?
Last edited by FD Racer; 12-07-02 at 06:43 PM.
#33
add to cart
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where is the rear-steer rack going to go, if not under the engine? and a rack is much thicker than the rod connecting the steering arm with the idler arm.
#34
sold the FD...kept the FB
Originally posted by Manntis
Where is the rear-steer rack going to go, if not under the engine? and a rack is much thicker than the rod connecting the steering arm with the idler arm.
Where is the rear-steer rack going to go, if not under the engine? and a rack is much thicker than the rod connecting the steering arm with the idler arm.
Yeah of course under the engine, I never proposed to put it anywhere else. Much thicker, maybe... but it's not huge by comparison. Again... have YOU, or some you know, measured it to see if it's even feasable? I have not yet.
#35
add to cart
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it's a few inches thick and to line up the center to the same axis as the original steering tie rods you'll have to raise the engine, or you'll throw your steering geometry off.
The K-car racks are pretty beefy, BTW
The K-car racks are pretty beefy, BTW
#37
Always broken.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tell me what exactly there is to measure and I'll measure it. I can get pictures too.
Hooray for Southern California weather, I don't have to worry about being snowed in. =D
Hooray for Southern California weather, I don't have to worry about being snowed in. =D
#39
HEAVY METAL THUNDER
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Elsenborn, Belgian Eifel
Posts: 3,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Easy??? I think it be best if you'd check out the FC and compare it to the SA/FB... The steering rack is in front of the engine in a FC, while it's behind the wheels, underneath the engine in a 1st gen. Once my donor FC is complety stripped, I'll take a close look, but really do not think it'd be easy at all.
What about this, however...using a FB chassis, and putting all FC suspension under that. IRS at the back, and the struts in front. Seems a mighty job though, and we are still waiting on what Manntis is going to do with his spare FB shell. Cause I rather see someone doing that first, before I screw up my car :-)
What about this, however...using a FB chassis, and putting all FC suspension under that. IRS at the back, and the struts in front. Seems a mighty job though, and we are still waiting on what Manntis is going to do with his spare FB shell. Cause I rather see someone doing that first, before I screw up my car :-)
#40
Function > Form
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Catonsville MD (baltimore suburb)
Posts: 10,890
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
1 Post
As far as the measurement, find out how many inches of free space are around the drag link (in front of it, behind it, and above it)
And I'll state again, I'd love to find a way to do this with out MAJOR modifications, i.e. swaping a whole front end from a FC. And I want this to be done with minimal fabercation so it can easily be done by the rest of you. My main goal is to find a way to get rack and pinion into our cars with out having to build a new car.
And I'll state again, I'd love to find a way to do this with out MAJOR modifications, i.e. swaping a whole front end from a FC. And I want this to be done with minimal fabercation so it can easily be done by the rest of you. My main goal is to find a way to get rack and pinion into our cars with out having to build a new car.
#41
add to cart
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm going to have to locate a pristine shell first. The parts bitch has too many dents and a slight frame pucker which puts her out of the running for any suspension work
#42
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Apex, NC, USA
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was told, at one time, that someone had used the parts from a Honda CRX to give an FB rack and pinion steering. I haven't seen it myself, though. Anyone hear or know of a successful conversion?
#43
Full Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: greater st. louis area
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yea, from what I could find, he could never get it worked out. He had bad bump steer problems and he decided to sell the car, and to avoid any legal problems, he pulled out the crx steering and put the original back in.
#44
Rotax, Rotaries & Turbos
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Western Maine
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is why you need to do all the measurements before hand and get the right parts. Not just what you have laying around. If you aren't going to do the research and do it correctly, keep it original. You know that works right!
#45
Are you gonna shift?!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Damn your weight balance must suck. Sorry, but I'm completely against V8 swap into rotaries because it completely destroy's the RX-7's name and what it means to own one.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
joel(PA)
Race Car Tech
0
10-01-15 10:25 AM