Manual Rack....Should I????

408stroker5.0

The world would be a better place if all males jus

Mar 10, 2004

639

0

16

Bonnyville, Alberta, CANADA

May 25, 2004

#1

• May 25, 2004

• #1

I'm considering converting to a manual steering rack on my 87 GT, to lose some weight and maybe gain a little HP while I'm at it. The only thing is I drive this car on the street ALOT. Anyone running a manual rack on the street often? I have a little more weight on the front as I have a 351 in her although it has aluminum head's which reduces the weight a bit. The battery has been relocated to the trunk so that helps a bit as well and the A/C has been removed. Is it alot harder turning on the street. Is it a pain overall, or should I just keep the P/S on?

Who makes good manual rack's, with the same ratio or close as the rack's out of the factory? Thanx.

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

2,674

14

89

Dallas, TX

May 25, 2004

#2

• May 25, 2004

• #2

I run a stock manual rack from a 79-81 Mustang. Have been running it for 2 1/2 years now with stock "Pony Wheels" 225-50-16 up front. It's not too bad for every day driving. It takes a little effort in parking lots but no where near like running a short belt bypassing the power steering. I like having less weight and a little more power. Also looks cleaner under the hood without it.
I don't know about having a 351 though? I also have my battery in the trunk and a fiberglass hood with a tubular K-member and A-arms with coil overs. Weight of my car is 3180 with me in it if that helps.
BTW....I still have my A/C

 

The Shape

Founding Member

Jan 11, 2002

2,224

8

49

East ARKANSAS Delta

May 25, 2004

#3

• May 25, 2004

• #3

I drove an '82 GT around for a while with the power steering pump bypassed cause the pump locked up. It really wasn't that bad except when trying to get into tight parking spots. I would think though that an actual manual rack would be alot easier to handle than a power one with the pump bypassed.

 

QDRHRSE

New Member

Dec 31, 2002

1,590

0

0

Palmdale, CA

May 25, 2004

#4

• May 25, 2004

• #4

My wife has a nice rack, too bad its not on her car!!! Just kidding. Don't fear the manual rack. I put one on almost all my cars. It tightens up the steering, saves weight, and gives you power. What else could you ask for.

 

1

1blnpny

New Member

May 25, 2004

2

0

0

May 25, 2004

#5

• May 25, 2004

• #5

How does the rack itself get you more power?

 

QDRHRSE

New Member

Dec 31, 2002

1,590

0

0

Palmdale, CA

May 25, 2004

#6

• May 25, 2004

• #6

1blnpny has seen my wifes rack!!!! Just kidding. He's just being an ass. You gain power by not having to turn a power steering pump.

"1blnpony sucks ass!"

 

D

D347643

Banned

Jan 28, 2003

1,095

0

0

portland, OR

May 25, 2004

#7

• May 25, 2004

• #7

not to hijack the thread but i just picked up a manual rack from a 79-82 stang and i was wondering what you need to dif to bolt it up? Tthe length of the thread on the each racks rods look dif lengths?

thanks for any info.

Drew

 

QDRHRSE

New Member

Dec 31, 2002

1,590

0

0

Palmdale, CA

May 26, 2004

#8

• May 26, 2004

• #8

Drew,

I think that will work. If so, you probably need different tie rod ends. Try a search. Also, there is a good websight called "Fletch's Carbed Mustangs Forum" and they were putting togethter some info on that- they weren't done last time I checked but you never know. Do a search using google, just type in "Carbed Mustangs" and the Page is usually one of the first ones to show up. Hope I helped at least a little.

 

Qwk88LX

Member

Dec 1, 2003

202

21

19

Sunrise, FL

May 26, 2004

#9

• May 26, 2004

• #9

I have the Flaming River quick-ratio manual steering rack, & I like it way better than when I had power steering. It was a little hard to turn from a stop until I put skinnies on, now I can easily turn it with one hand Plus it feels really responsive & much more stable at high speeds, not jerky like it did with power steering..& my engine bay looks much cleaner without the power steering pump & a/c

<---now thats a nice rack!!!

 

B

Boss 351

Here sthhhhhhhheeeve take a picthh of my man flowe

Jul 13, 2003

2,433

23

48

Canada

May 26, 2004

#10

• May 26, 2004

• #10

Going with a manual rack here too I drove around a 69 Cougar with a 351 with a manual steering box and it wasn't that bad! I'm building a car for the non-wussie type driver

 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member

Sep 9, 2000

4,675

38

119

Antelope Valley, SoCal

May 26, 2004

#11

• May 26, 2004

• #11

Do the '79-81 manual racks have the same ratio as a power one like on my car? Mine is leaking pretty bad and I need to do something about it.