TCP vs Flaming River

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rollin68

Founding Member

Mar 19, 2002

205

0

16

Murrieta

Feb 3, 2004

#1

• Feb 3, 2004

• #1

Well I fianlly got the suspension and ride hight right to where I wanted, along with the new wheels are tires. Engine is almost finished being built, then after that, its time for manual rack and pinion. Flaming river just came out with their set-up, its goes for about a grand, and TCP goes from 1400 to as low as $1050(forgot where I saw that thou). Anywaise, I was wondering if anyone had any info on the pros an cons of either, or how different they are or anything. Anyone on here with the Flaming river setup? I know we have some with TCP, are you happy with their R&P? Thanks

 

dolfan87

Founding Member

Dec 28, 2000

1,242

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Lake Havasu, AZ

Feb 3, 2004

#2

• Feb 3, 2004

• #2

Flaming River is cheaper, and it comes with a steering column. They are also claiming it is almost like having power steering with the manual rack.

I would call Flaming River and ask them if they have any cars in your area that you can try out. Maybe a really nice customer would be willing to let you check it out or something.

It sucks, cause I bought the TCP power rack, and if the F.R. rack is really almost as easy as power steering, (without the lines, pump, ect ect) plus over $1000.00 cheaper WITH the steering column....GRRRRRRRR.

87

 

dolfan87

Founding Member

Dec 28, 2000

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0

Lake Havasu, AZ

Feb 3, 2004

#3

• Feb 3, 2004

• #3

Oh and BTW, AWESOME car. I love the stance you got as well.

 

mdjay

Premium Sponsor

Dec 9, 2003

896

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16

Las Vegas, NV

Feb 3, 2004

#4

• Feb 3, 2004

• #4

racks

We sell both and have never had any complaints on either set-up. If you get the FR tubular billet version, it is more $ than the manual TCP one and the column is not included on the billet version. TCP only has the billet version! However, FR does include the column on their economy version which is pretty cool.

FR is suppose to be coming out with a Power Rack so there must be a significant difference. I'm still waiting on feedback from a manual FR install. Anyone have one in yet?

TCP has great stuff but currently they're about 1 month behind in their orders. Not cool if you're in a hurry!

I run the TCP power rack and it's so precise it is amazing!

 

6

66coupe306

New Member

Feb 1, 2004

32

0

0

Feb 3, 2004

#5

• Feb 3, 2004

• #5

rollin68 said:

Well I fianlly got the suspension and ride hight right to where I wanted, along with the new wheels are tires. Engine is almost finished being built, then after that, its time for manual rack and pinion. Flaming river just came out with their set-up, its goes for about a grand, and TCP goes from 1400 to as low as $1050(forgot where I saw that thou). Anywaise, I was wondering if anyone had any info on the pros an cons of either, or how different they are or anything. Anyone on here with the Flaming river setup? I know we have some with TCP, are you happy with their R&P? Thanks

Click to expand...

I am in the process of installing a j body gm rack in my car. its 130.00 new (rebuilt). A little fabrication and hopefully I'll have a power rack. I am trying to build the best front end I can, as cheap as I can

 

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gp001

Founding Member

Jun 30, 2001

4,401

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66

So. Cal.

Feb 3, 2004

#6

• Feb 3, 2004

• #6

I could be wrong, but I thought I read on another site that the FR R&P were still a few months away from shipping. So there may not be anyone with one yet. I could be wrong though.

 

Red Barchetta

Founding Member

Mar 7, 2002

761

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17

Behind the Orange Curtain

Feb 3, 2004

#7

• Feb 3, 2004

• #7

A couple of things I'd ask about the Flaming River rack if I were in the market.

First off, from their website, "The rack and pinion has a travel and ratio with full turning radius that feels almost like power steering!" There's something fishy about that statement. Did they try and get that "power" feel buy increasing the steering ratio? In other words, with their manual rack, how many turns is it lock to lock vs. a power rack? A higher steering ratio sure could ease the effort, like power steering does, but I'm not a fan of the trade off. Also, define "full turning radius." If they meant that the turning radius does not increase, then why didn't they say so?

Second, by looking at their site, they're using a rack with end take offs. We've discussed this issue before on this board. End take off racks tend to give some pretty nasty bump steer because it can not mimic the original geometry of the steering system in the Mustang. Granted, the OEM geometry wasn't the best either, but end take off racks tend to worsen the problem. Unless they addressed this some how (which they make no mention on their web site) then I wouldn't buy one until after I was able to drive a car that already has one of their racks installed to make sure none of the issues I've brought up are a problem.

My intentions are not to bash on Flaming River as I've heard they do make some quality products. I would only like clarification on certain things that are known issues, yet they don't address them directly.

 

RaSMG

Founding Member

Oct 5, 2002

270

0

0

Central Cali

Feb 3, 2004

#8

• Feb 3, 2004

• #8

there's a bunch of people just receiving the first set of racks shipped out via a group purchase at the vmf .. one of the dudes got his and posted pictures, another is in the process of installing it now. said it came with the photocopied article from musangs and fords and that they absolutely raved about it.
http://www.bossman-motorsports.com/fr1.jpg
http://www.bossman-motorsports.com/fr2.jpg
http://www.bossman-motorsports.com/fr3.jpg
http://www.bossman-motorsports.com/fr4.jpg

 

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rollin68

Founding Member

Mar 19, 2002

205

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16

Murrieta

Feb 3, 2004

#9

• Feb 3, 2004

• #9

Thanks for the replies and thanks for the comment dolfan87... Good point about the TCP being billet and the economy one not being. Having the new column would be nice, but its not something I need. I heard from a few people that the TCP rack shortens the turning radius just a bit, which could be just them installing wrong, but if it is true I would like to avoid that.

End take off racks tend to give some pretty nasty bump steer

Click to expand...

How much of the bump steer would be fixed with the Pro-Motorsport bump steer corrector?

I'm glad I have sometimes to research this one, I'm sure either one will fit what i need and more, but I want a better reasoning for chosen one over the other besides "I like this one cuz its blue." So if anyone has any coments to TCP having a smaller turning radius, or any info in general on either system, im all ears. Thanks again guys

 

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Red Barchetta

Founding Member

Mar 7, 2002

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17

Behind the Orange Curtain

Feb 3, 2004

#10

• Feb 3, 2004

• #10

First off, I would take anything that Mustang & Fords, let alone any Primedia rag, with a grain of salt. They swing a very small tech stick and seem to only regurgitate the manufacturer's marketing hype.

I heard from a few people that the TCP rack shortens the turning radius just a bit

Click to expand...

I think what you meant to say was that it increases the turning radius. If it shortened it, that would be a good thing as it would allow you to make sharper U-turns. I have heard that it doesn't change at all and also that it slightly increases the turning radius. However, I heard the increase was less than a foot (6-8 inches) which to me isn't a big deal. I've driven TCP's '67 fastback and I couldn't notice any increase in turning radius.

As far as any bumpsteer corrector kit, those kits are designed for the stock steering geometry. The Flaming River rack is it's own beast so I have no idea what kind of effect it will have on it.

 

R

rollin68

Founding Member

Mar 19, 2002

205

0

16

Murrieta

Feb 3, 2004

#11

• Feb 3, 2004

• #11

Red Barchetta said:

I think what you meant to say was that it increases the turning radius.

Click to expand...

Yah, thats what I meant. Thanks for the correction. So far im leaning towards the pretty blue one. Ill have to wait for some reviews on FR R&P

 

GT2K

Founding Member

Dec 27, 1999

311

0

0

Mar 10, 2004

#12

• Mar 10, 2004

• #12

I'm going to adapt my Baer bumpsteer kit to the FR setup once FR finally ships my end adapters. That way I can dial it all in. Still having issues with header clearance. I'm updating the VMF though as I make progress. I can't post to so many boards... especially ones where hystericalmustang.com is given any serious consideration for his "advice" ...

 

LMan

Founding Member

Aug 10, 2002

1,246

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Mom's basement

Mar 10, 2004

#13

• Mar 10, 2004

• #13

merits of the units aside, I would stick to the company that answers its phone......

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

Founding Member

Apr 8, 2001

2,458

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North Atlanta

Mar 10, 2004

#14

• Mar 10, 2004

• #14

Remember....you cant use headers with the FR setup...they are working on a new setup that will allow you to.

 

GT2K

Founding Member

Dec 27, 1999

311

0

0

Mar 10, 2004

#15

• Mar 10, 2004

• #15

allcarfan said:

Remember....you cant use headers with the FR setup...they are working on a new setup that will allow you to.

Click to expand...

Tri Ys are working and some shorties. Another fix is in the works too. The original TCP R&P did not clear headers either. It takes some time to meet all the variations.

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

Founding Member

Apr 8, 2001

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North Atlanta

Mar 10, 2004

#16

• Mar 10, 2004

• #16

Eh, Im just quoting the email i got directly from FR yesterday....take your chances with triYs...im sure shorties would fit, but who wants shorties?!

FR said they would have the new kit out in about 2-3 weeks