C4 Rack and Pinion into a 76?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Thief River Falls Minnesota
C4 Rack and Pinion into a 76?
I was looking at the rack and pinion system on a C4 today, and I started to wonder if the rack and pinion could be converted to C3 usage? It looked like with a little fabrication, the tie rods could be shortened or lengthened to make it work in a C3 if custom brackets were made for mounting it..... Has anyone else looked into this? All I want to know is if it can be done with no major hassles. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Those of us who have done R&P conversions have used the Steeroids kit. www.speeddirect.com A few folks have "rolled their own" R&P setups, so to speak.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
The C4 is a front steer car in that the steering knuckles aim forward to intersect with the tie rods.....the C3 is just the opposite...so the rack will not work....not unless you change one hell of a LOT of crap....like the entire front suspension....some guys have done just that....
but with various inputs as to in FACT if it was worth it....
GENE
but with various inputs as to in FACT if it was worth it....
GENE
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I replaced all that clap trap with a power steering unit from a Grand Cherokee. Quicker ratio. a lot simpler than the original.
http://www.acc-controls.com/vette/im.../image681.html
Have not driven the car since the modification but it should handle very nicely.
http://www.acc-controls.com/vette/im.../image681.html
Have not driven the car since the modification but it should handle very nicely.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Thief River Falls Minnesota
That's an interesting setup s car go, but I like the feel of the road that rack and pinion gives to a car. 
Would a ford rear steer rack and pinion work, given the tie rods were altered to work with the steering knuckles and the steering column on the corvette?
Would a ford rear steer rack and pinion work, given the tie rods were altered to work with the steering knuckles and the steering column on the corvette?
Last edited by 76custompaint; May 25, 2005 at 10:43 PM.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
The biggest problem with a C4 or 'normal' rack is track width.
With an end take off rack the rack has to be the right width for the suspension. I doubt the ford rack is, tho you could check.
most conversions us a 92 Grand Am rack. It is center take off which allows you to adjust the tie rod length and eliminate bumpsteer ( this is important! )
Thats what I used, Thats what Idar used in the origional R&P conversion and thats what the steeroids version uses.
With an end take off rack the rack has to be the right width for the suspension. I doubt the ford rack is, tho you could check.
most conversions us a 92 Grand Am rack. It is center take off which allows you to adjust the tie rod length and eliminate bumpsteer ( this is important! )
Thats what I used, Thats what Idar used in the origional R&P conversion and thats what the steeroids version uses.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
The front steering is not a problem, you can simply swap the spindles and have the brakes on the back (both spindles are the same, however it's easier to swap spindles than to swap both the steering arm and caliper brackets left and right) and have the steering arms point to the front. The C4 rack however will not fit, well..it may be possible to fit the rack but the rack width is not compatible with the stock suspension width, you'd have to mount the rack real high to get the proper bump steer alignment. You'll need a real narrow rack, in the 16-17" pivot to pivot area...I have a rack that does fit..with mods, it's an appleton front steering end take off rack.
If you can find a front steering center rake off rack you can adjust the center tie rod bracket to be the proper width for our front suspension.
If you can find a front steering center rake off rack you can adjust the center tie rod bracket to be the proper width for our front suspension.
