I brought this rack on ebay for $90, no core. Seems like a smoking deal, especially with NO core charge.
http://tinyurl.com/s5lq6
or
Ebay item #8067920620

How do I determine if it has the faster ratio. I know there is only 1 96rack ratio, and that is the fast ratio, but I don't know when GM went to only 1 rack ratio. I just want to make sure I'm getting the proper rack for my 96.

This guy accepts returns for 30 days, and I won't be able to install the rack so soon. Anything I should look for?? Any special markings on a 96 rack??

 

 

13:1

 

According to Antonicks "Cor-vette Specs", the '96 had a 15.7:1 steering gear ratio. That works out to 2.32 turns lock-to-lock on the car. This is the former "slow" ratio versus "fast" steer of 13.0:1 (1.96 turns L-to-L) for pre-'89, Z51/52 cars. GM phased out the fast ratio during '89 production and used-up the fast steer units first, Z51 or not but I haven't found any reference to when or what SN they did it at. They probably didn't keep track of it since most drivers wouldn't know the difference. The steering ratio is also not coded on the Service Parts ID label. It's probably on the build sheet, if you can decipher those codes. Search the forums, I saw something about this several months ago. I read somewhere that all replacement R/P units are "slow" steer.

Since I'd rather have the slow steer on the '89 I've been searching for for over 2 years, I always check it. From my own experience, SNs over 11400 have been slow steer. I can't pin it down any farther than that. If any members want to fill in the data, check your steering LtoL. Slightly less than 2 turns is fast steer, about 2-3/8 turns is slow steer.

I don't think checking the unit out of the car will tell you since I figure the steering stops are a function of other than the rack itself and I don't have any data on steering shaft angle change versus tie rod movement distance. If you have 2 units torn down, the one with the smaller pinion diameter is "slower" steer. As a point of reference, I read somewhere that the steering ratio on C2/C3 'vettes was in the low 20s. The memory goes first and I forgot what was second!

 

The two letter code on the cap can be used to identify the rack. I don't have those handy though.

 

I just checked rockauto.com; and it appears the slow turns racks were in every 93-96, even the ZR1's. and the fast turn racks were only available with 17" wheels (Z51's) in the earlier cars.

So the slow turn rack is the way to go??
Is the quick ratio too twitcy??

 

Does anyone know if the earlier quick ratio racks will fit in a 1993?

Thanks in advance!!

 

In the early years the fast, and less fast racks were interchangeable. The slower rack is the same for all C4s. That would allow one to speculate that the faster rack would fit the later cars, where it was never offered. I've never done it, but I'd give some pretty good odds that it'll fit.

RACE ON!!!

 

I've look up the various parts supplier options for racks and I'm still a little confused. When you specify 1987 or earlier, the suppliers say it's a guick ratio rack. When you put in 88 & later they specify the rack by wheel diameter, i.e. different part numbers for 16 and 17 inch wheels. Is one of these the quick ratio unit?

 

The fast turn came with the Z-51 & Z-52 packages (my 87 Z-52 had it stock from the factory), and it has the stock 16" tires.

As far as it being too twitchy, depends on the driver. I love the fast ratio, and when I went looking at the new 96's (in 1995), I was disapointed that they came with only the slow ratio (so I kept the 87 and GM lost a sale - I still have that 87).

I have offered friends to drive it, and one guy almost put us into a ditch! After less than a block, I took over (he is a Mustang owner - so he is used to "slow" vehicles). Some guys like it, some can't hack it. My new Dodge Hemi Magnum feels similar in ratio, but have not seen the specs., and the wife handles it just fine. Now if you want a slow ratio, try my 62 Vette, but without PS, I can understand why it is so slow.

Find one that you can try out before changing over.

Note that for years, MAD (or whatever they call themselves these days) has had a "tip" which tells which Vettes had the fast ratio. That tip has been very wrong all these years, since according to it, my 87 is "suppose" to be the slow ratio.

Plasticman

 

The quick ratio was never standard equipment. It may or may not been available outside of a package, such as Z51 or Z52, or FE7. For 1988 and later it may be true that the only way to get fast steering was to order a package common to both the fast steering and the larger wheels. 1984 - 1987 all had 16" (?) wheels, All had fast steering available, but not standard. For service, there are only two racks. Order the fast rack. If there is any confusion left, have them look up the rack for a '96, and order the other one.

RACE ON!!!

 

Here's some rack info from Delco's catalog, and some codes:

84-85
YM 2.5 turns AC-Delco 36-16252
AJ AK YP 2 turns AC-Delco 36-16303

84-87
CA WL WU 2.5 turns AC-Delco 36-16305 (um, two base model 84-85 racks? wtf?)

86-87
WT 2 turns AC-Delco 36-16306

88-92
w/17" wheel AC-Delco 36-16352 (presumably, 88-91 Z51/2/FE7 cars)

88-96
w/16" wheel AC-Delco 36-16228 (presumably, 88-92 base model cars and all 93+ cars)



If I were you I'd get a Z51 rack out of a 88-92

 

I have a 1989 Z51 PHP with 9.5x17" wheels, and you are saying it is definately "fast ratio"?

 

Maybe I am not understanding what you are saying, but to clarify the facts:

The fast steering ratio was "standard" for the Z-51 and Z-52 packages. It was not "standard" equipment without those 2 packages, and I doubt that you could order it outside of those 2 packages.

I quote the 87 sales brochere (page 38): Z-52 SPORT HANDLING PACKAGE ----and quicker steering ratio.

The same is stated for the Z-51 Package.

For those who want to know, the Z-52 came with 9-1/2" rims (on coupe only, conv. got the standard 9" for whatever reason). Also came with gas Delco/Bilstien shocks, oil cooler, radiator cooling boost fan, and HD radiator (which from what I have heard, all Vettes came with automatically). There were also some frame stiffening parts added (not mentioned in the brochere), and the coupes also got the 2 outlet mufflers (worth 5 HP).

Since I had to replace my rack 2 years ago (squeaking/looseness at the inner rod ends), I agree that mine was marked "WT".

Plasticman

 

I switched to a fast ratio rack on my 93. i too initially purchased one from that ebay seller but 4 weeks later he said the boxes were labelled wrong and he refunded me. I found a sport ratio, had it rebuilt inside out and its in the car now. I havn't driven it much but the ratio is BEAUTIFUL. I no longer have to make more turns than my oldsmobile when turning. If you ask me, the slow ratio sucks, big time. Mine is also a little stiffer at lower speeds but thats because i did the turn-one power steering mod too.

To answer your first question.. it will bolt in no problems

 

Another interesting thing is there is a 89 in the shoppe i know of. It has the heavy duty suspension option and 9.5s all around. It does NOT have the sport ratio steering. Im pretty sure all 92-6 are slow ratio no matter the suspension option.

 

89 was the last year Z-51's came with the fast steering ratio, code NS on the rack, 1.93 turns lock to lock. In 89 GM phased out the quick rack so only some of the earlier 89 Z-51's came with the quick ratio.
FWIW.


Larry

 

I cannot find an RPO number for "fast steering", therefore, I agree, I don't believe it was ever available outside of a package. According to the parts book, For 1984-1987 the fast steering was a component of the FE7, "Suspension system, front and rear, heavy duty.". The FE7 suspension was available as an independent option and it was a component of the Z51 and Z52 packages. In 1988 my parts book differentiates the steering by the wheel size. For 1989, by the code stamped on the rack itself, only.

The easy way to determine the ratio of an existing car is the steering wheel turns. The fast ratio, 13.0:1, is 2 (1.96) turns lock to lock, and the slow ratio, 15.5:1, is 2 1/3 (2.36) turns, lock to lock.

RACE ON!!!

 

The 89 break doesn't agree with the AC/Delco part number as shown in the post above.

What do you suppose is the difference between the racks for 16 & 17 inch wheels?

What rack would I order to get the quick ratio and to ensure compatability with a 93 coupe?

Thanks to all for the info!!

 

The A/C table doesn't really say anything about the 89 rack as replacement 89 racks are all the slow ratio.

The fast rack only came on 17" wheel Z-51 cars.

You cannot order a fast rack for a 93 from a dealer. They were gone years ago. If you want one to fit a 93 you have to order a rebuilt 89 Z-51, code NS rack. It'll bolt in. I just bought one on E-bay.

Larry