Anyone here installed a rack and pinion on thier Chevelle? Preferably 68-72 if you have pictures of the install.

My car is in the shop now and we're looking at this just as an option.......I'd like to see any pics and comments you might have.

The car is getting a 580 right now, but I'd like to go bigger at some point and the stock steering is in the way.............if you have any ideas on how to get around this without a R&P or dry sump system, that would be greatly appreciated too!!

Anybody??

I don't think you're going to find anyone with rack and pinion. There are no kits available and supposidly it requires quite a bit of fabrication to make one work.

I think the Goodmark chevelle has it or some other supplier's promotional Chevelle.

Tim.

Call TRZ motorsports and talk to Tommy. They have all the parts you need to do the install.Go to Laurerracing.com. There are pics there of this install. I also have pics on another car if you want them. I am in the process of doing this myself on my 68. Not hard just work. I also run a dry sump on my chevelle. I had to notch the crossmember on the pass side to mount the pump (5 stage Moroso).

Call TRZ motorsports and talk to Tommy. They have all the parts you need to do the install.Go to Laurerracing.com. There are pics there of this install. I also have pics on another car if you want them. I am in the process of doing this myself on my 68. Not hard just work. I also run a dry sump on my chevelle. I had to notch the crossmember on the pass side to mount the pump (5 stage Moroso).

Flyboys,

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!! I didn't know TRZ had parts to do this for a Chevelle. I thought they just sold control and steering arms for Chevelles. Is it some type of kit they sell? I checked out the laurerracing.com site also. That helps alot but I'd also like to see some of the pics you have if you don't mind. You can email them to me if you'd like.

I'm also suppsed to get pics from a car this weekend if the weather holds so that should help too. Thanks for the help!!

It is not a kit as such. Tommy will bend up a crossmember that gets welded to the frame for the rack mount. He also sells the rack,mounts,steering joints,tie rod ends,etc. You can e-mail me at Haviation@prairieinet.net. I'll see if I can dig up those pics. Later.

I put a rack and pinion in my 66. I don't have any pictures handy - send me an email and I will reply with some photos.

It works awesome and I had to do it for oil pan clearance (Jeff Johnston's kickout pan)

66 283

Originally posted by TronDD:
I don't think you're going to find anyone with rack and pinion. There are no kits available and supposidly it requires quite a bit of fabrication to make one work.

I think the Goodmark chevelle has it or some other supplier's promotional Chevelle.

Tim. It took all of about 4 hours start to finish including 2 u-joints for the steering shaft.

the pics are in your email inbox.

Well I guess I was wrong. smile.gif

Did I miss all the posts about you guys installing them or have you been keeping it secret?

Tim.

Flyboys,

Either myself or the guy doing the work on my car will give Tommy a call. It would make a much easier install if he bends up the crossmember and supplies all the pieces needed for the conversion.

The guy doing my chassis fabrication told me that the rack might possibly have to be narrowed or I might run into bumpsteer problems. Anybody every heard of this?

When I looked at the Laurer Racing site the rack looked awfully narrow so I thought there might be some truth to it.

My guy wasn't sure though, just thought it was a possibility.

You have mail when you have a chance to send those pics!!

66283,

Your pics are very much welcomed too. I'm doing it for the better steering response, but also for oil pan clearance also. My motor is already a 580 and will probably go up from there, so any pics of the crossmember mods would help too.

You also have mail.........lol

How'd you make out in the pump gas drags??

One last question guys, how much better is the steering? I'm assuming it's much more responsive, almost like a new car instead of the old box. Any plusses and minuses are greatly appreciated!!

TronDD,

When are we puttin one in your car?? ;)

Ryan.........thanks for sending me the e-mail. The way you've done it looks rather easy. I looked at the wagon today and I should be able to duplicate your installation.

What do you think the weight savings was? I would guess about 40 to 50lbs. Is that close? :cool:

The Pump Gas Drags haven't happened yet - May 1st.

About the bump steer - we jacked the car up and down from ride height to top travel about 50 times spacing the rod ends down a bit each time until we minimized bump steer. The rack is narrower than the car, sure, as most are from a mustang II, but if you space it out properly you can minimize the bump steer in your operating range.

Can't comment on the handling/steering - I try not to steer or turn corners if I can help it. The biggest benefit is shorter turning radius w/o nailing your oil pan with the inner tie rod ends and oil pan clearance, plus the weight reduction.

Steers very easy with my big factory tractor steering wheel!

Originally posted by Joe G:
Ryan.........thanks for sending me the e-mail. The way you've done it looks rather easy. I looked at the wagon today and I should be able to duplicate your installation.

What do you think the weight savings was? I would guess about 40 to 50lbs. Is that close? :cool: Joe,

I'm being lazy because the pump gas drags are coming up fast and I have a lot of small things to do, but next time I have the rack out of the car I will weigh it very accurately with my nitrous digital scale and let you know what it weighs. It is very light, but then why did my car still weigh in at 3932 two months ago? That was with a fiberglass trunk too!

(But I CAN tell you that my passenger bucket seat was 60lbs with brackets, and the rear seat was 44lbs. Front and rear chrome bumpers totalled about 36lbs w/o brackets also)

Everyone,

Thanks for all your great information in this post, it has really helped me out alot.......I'm thinking the rack is going in this car!! The car is in the shop and I'll post pics once we get things really underway!!