2.3 to 5.0 power steering

rickd93_lx

New Member

Dec 22, 2005

162

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Oct 10, 2006

#1

• Oct 10, 2006

• #1

i have a 2.3 im converting to a 5.0 for the moment i want to retain the 2.3 rack and power steering my question is will the 2.3 power steering bolt into the 5.0 npower steering bracket? i heard that the ratio of the rack is different as well as the pst pump im planning on tering the motor out and in stalling everything this weekend, i need to know if i can reuse the 2.3 steering if not ill put it off untill i can buy the 5.0 replacement. if i do have to replace the system what will i need i assume: rack and pinion, in & out tie rods, control arms (uppr and lower?), spindles, and brakes calipers, any thing else please let me know. could the 2.3 power steering bracket bolt on to the 302 block?

 

J

Jack's95gt

Member

Aug 15, 2004

443

1

18

Huntingdon Valley, PA

Oct 10, 2006

#2

• Oct 10, 2006

• #2

As far as I know, the racks are the same. I used a 94/95 motor and accessary brackets with my swap. I connect the power pump to the 2.3 hoses and everything worked out fine. In the front suspension the spindle and struts are different. On the 2.3 the power steering pressure hose has a pressure switch on it. When it sees the pressure raising it kick up the idle speed. That little feature isn't needed with a 5.0.

 

rd

Founding Member

Jan 12, 2000

3,316

63

109

Ocean Springs MS

Oct 10, 2006

#3

• Oct 10, 2006

• #3

They should bolt up. You will probably have to switch to 5.0 hoses so they reach. Be aware that there are some variations in rack end hose fittings in at least the early years. Also in the early years there are at least 2 types of rag joint couplers, ones with a master spline on the rack stub shaft, and ones that have a d shape or flat on both rack and coupler to maintain alignent. I think the tie rods and rack will fit any of them. I have put 8-10 racks under my 79 Capri, and 4 under my 82 Mustang.

 

rickd93_lx

New Member

Dec 22, 2005

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Oct 10, 2006

#4

• Oct 10, 2006

• #4

mine is a 93 lx hatch if all i need are 5.0 lines that would be great there 20 bucks at oreilly.

 

S

superhuaman

New Member

Nov 8, 2004

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Harrisburg, PA

Oct 11, 2006

#5

• Oct 11, 2006

• #5

the racks and pumps are NOT interchangeable. there is the standard ratio rack (2 turns lock to lock, usually on 2.3's) and the quick ratio rack (1.5 turns lock to lock, usually on 5.0's). i hope i remembered that right. anyway, you HAVE to keep the pump that was with the rack, and just get a different pressure hose, and cut the return hose shorter.

if you use a different pump/rack combo, the steering could lock when changing direction quickly, like on a switchback turn.

 

W

wazazzle

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

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In the dumpster behind McDonalds. WA

Oct 11, 2006

#6

• Oct 11, 2006

• #6

superhuaman said:

the racks and pumps are NOT interchangeable. there is the standard ratio rack (2 turns lock to lock, usually on 2.3's) and the quick ratio rack (1.5 turns lock to lock, usually on 5.0's). i hope i remembered that right. anyway, you HAVE to keep the pump that was with the rack, and just get a different pressure hose, and cut the return hose shorter.

if you use a different pump/rack combo, the steering could lock when changing direction quickly, like on a switchback turn.

Click to expand...

ditto.. what he said. i found out the hard way after buying 3 diff used racks from ebay and only 1 was actually from a 5.0... they are NOT interchangeable. if you're going to swap racks pickup a sn95 rack, i read these ARE interchangeable given a few other parts needed. those that did the swap said handling is SOOO much better. do a search

 

bullitstang1313

Member

Jan 21, 2003

713

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16

Indianapolis / Columbus, Indiana

Oct 12, 2006

#7

• Oct 12, 2006

• #7

I have driven my 2.3 to 5.0 swap for over 2 years with no problems. I used the 2.3 rack and a 5.0 pump and haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. I didn't even need to change the lines, everything hooked up just fine.

 

rickd93_lx

New Member

Dec 22, 2005

162

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Oct 12, 2006

#8

• Oct 12, 2006

• #8

i heard the same about the rack and the pump lining up i can get a rack @ oreilly for dirt cheap my bud gives me his employee discount, so if that is the case i can still ud=se the 2.3 cntrl arms and every thing else ill just need the rack pump and lines? right?

 

S

superhuaman

New Member

Nov 8, 2004

907

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Harrisburg, PA

Oct 12, 2006

#9

• Oct 12, 2006

• #9

control arms are the same, yes. return hose for steering is just bulk hose. pressure hose is different.