To people using the flaming river rack........

1

1bad92lx

New Member

Mar 31, 2003

247

0

0

Close to lynchburg, VA

Jan 30, 2004

#1

• Jan 30, 2004

• #1

I am thinking of getting the flaming river kit for my coupe project and I was wondering is it really worth it? I know it will lighten up the front end a bit and also make it neater under the hood not having the power steering pump and lines. How good do the racks work? Are they easy to turn the wheels with stock size tires or just when you use skinnies. See, I'm going to use my 17x9 cobra r's for the weekends and when I run it at the track I've got a set of welds. So, I guess I need to know if I'll be okay with the manual setup with big tires up front?

thanks,

Matt

 

BADPONYsc

Founding Member

Sep 4, 2001

884

0

17

Florence, SC

Jan 30, 2004

#2

• Jan 30, 2004

• #2

I have the Flaming River kit on my car and I don't mind it at all. What I like about it is making things simpler, less components, no more pump whine, no more drag on the belt, and cleaned up the engine bay. I have 3.5" Welds up front, which helps turning I know.
At a dead stop: have to use both hands and use some muscle.
At a slow speed: still have to use both hands, but much easier
At higher speeds: feels just like power steering
I really like the feel of it. You feel more through the wheel than with power (more precise)and once you've made a turn you can just let go of the wheel and it will snap right back straight... no need to turn the wheel to straighten up.
A friend of mine just got it too and he has 2000 GT wheels (17"x9" I believe) and he described it as being pretty much like mine. I haven't driven it, but he described the same things I just did. The only time you'll be grunting and groaning is at a dead stop. The main thing is... Flaming River manual steering IS alot easier to stear than a power rack with the pump removed and the lines capped off. Or like if you have power steering and you try to turn the wheel while the car is off.... manual steering is ALOT easier to turn than that.
But the only car I've actually driven with manual steering is mine with the 3.5" fronts, so maybe someone who's driven it with bigger wheels will chime in.
Hope this helps!

 

1

1bad92lx

New Member

Mar 31, 2003

247

0

0

Close to lynchburg, VA

Jan 31, 2004

#3

• Jan 31, 2004

• #3

Thanks for the info Badponysc. I know a few people who have the racks on their cars, but they are the kind of people that are so biggity, even if it sucked, they would tell me it was the greatest thing in the world........ You know the type........ But thanks again for the rundown on the rack because I am highly considering it as my next mod. Any more people wanna add their opinions because I highly welcome them...........

 

ram360

Founding Member

Oct 19, 2002

2,162

1

59

Pennsylvania

Jan 31, 2004

#4

• Jan 31, 2004

• #4

I used it in my daily driver. I ran 17x9 R's up front w/ 235 45's. Parking would be the worst but It's nothing you can't get used too. Other than that it's great handleing and very light.

 

N

noslow5_0

New Member

Nov 7, 2003

422

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0

dallas tx.

Jan 31, 2004

#5

• Jan 31, 2004

• #5

im gonna subscibe to this thread as i am about to do the same thing.....

 

L

lgil351

New Member

Jan 23, 2004

106

0

0

Jan 31, 2004

#6

• Jan 31, 2004

• #6

i am also doing it but with a ford manual rack for 79-82 stang. will i still need the special flaming river adapter?

 

gearheadboy

15 Year Member

Jan 15, 2003

1,425

177

84

Greencastle Pa

Jan 31, 2004

#7

• Jan 31, 2004

• #7

Thats the rack I have, you will need a manual steering shaft or the flaming river one. If you are in no hurry, I have a factory one, but with my 351w I think its gonna hit my headers. I will be getting a flaming river shaft soon.

 

L

lgil351

New Member

Jan 23, 2004

106

0

0

Jan 31, 2004

#8

• Jan 31, 2004

• #8

yeah, how much for it? pm me..i'm in ohio

 

EMW150

Founding Member

May 22, 2000

2,020

1

46

Roaring Spring,PA

Feb 1, 2004

#9

• Feb 1, 2004

• #9

I'm really happy with it. High quality stuff but you pay for it. They're not cheap. Stick with the standard rack they sell instead of the quick ratio. I'd say the quick ratio is quite a bit harder to steer than the standard. As with most manual racks, it's easy to steer once you get moving. In parking lots it's not too bad if you have skinnys. Never drove mine with stock size tires.

 

stangbear427

Active Member

Nov 11, 2002

2,401

1

49

New England

Feb 1, 2004

#10

• Feb 1, 2004

• #10

Ya'll realize that you are never supposed to turn the wheel unless the car is already moving anyway, right?

 

Black331Stang

Active Member

Apr 29, 2003

1,485

0

36

Long Island, NY

Feb 1, 2004

#11

• Feb 1, 2004

• #11

yeah especially in the summer when your on your nice blacktop driveway.

 

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StangBangRicers

New Member

Dec 9, 2002

58

0

0

Feb 1, 2004

#12

• Feb 1, 2004

• #12

So one *must* use two hands to make right and left turns at intersections?

This might be a deal breaker for me. I have a girlfriend that keeps my other hand occupied.

 

stangbear427

Active Member

Nov 11, 2002

2,401

1

49

New England

Feb 1, 2004

#13

• Feb 1, 2004

• #13

No, you can keep your other hand occupied where it belongs... just don't start cranking the wheel until you're already rolling. You'll be amazed how much longer your tires last too...

 

MadMatt5oh

Member

Jan 10, 2003

441

0

16

St Paul, MN

Feb 1, 2004

#14

• Feb 1, 2004

• #14

Or you could just be incredibly strong