Aftermarket Rack & Pinion

[Crew Chief]

Everyone knows why a few want aftermarket rack and pinion steering on older S/S cars. Its not about safety.......its all about less weight on the frontend.

Hang in there NHRA. Don't give in to the rantings of the few! If they want rack & pinion, tell them to build a FWD conversion for SS/GT and leave real S/S alone.

[NWDragracing]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Everyone knows why a few want aftermarket rack and pinion steering on older S/S cars. Its not about safety.......its all about less weight on the frontend.

Hang in there NHRA. Don't give in to the rantings of the few! If they want rack & pinion, tell them to build a FWD conversion for SS/GT and leave real S/S alone.

Safety versus weight savings???
You should do your homework prior to making a non sense statement.
The common Mopar aluminum manual steering box weight is around 19 pounds. A rack & pinion weight is around 14 pounds, not counting the mounting provisions. So, if you consider just the weight of both, is a 5 pound weight difference worth a 10th or more???

[Crew Chief]

Nice try NWD.

Just incase you forgot, regular steering also consists of a heavy center link, 2 inner tie rod ends, 2 outer tie rod ends, tie rod sleeves, an idler arm with bracket, and a pitman arm. None of those are aluminum. And on makes other than Mopar, the steering box is much heavier.

I stand by my original statement. Wanting aftermarket rack and pinion in place of the OEM steering box set up is only about saving weight...its not about safety.

[NWDragracing]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Nice try NWD.

Regular steering also consists of a heavy center link, 2 inner tie rod ends, 2 outer tie rod ends, tie rod sleeves, an idler arm with bracket, and a pitman arm. None of those are aluminum. And on makes other than Mopar, the steering box is much heavier.

I stand by my original statement. Wanting aftermarket rack and pinion in place of the OEM steering box set up is only about saving weight...its not about safety.

I stand by mine too and I would assume you do not race a Mopar either.

If you are so smart and did some research, it is not a bolt-on deal for RWD cars that did not have it from the factory.
Although you remove components like you said, it is not a bolt on deal. You need to add a frame to support and provisions which adds weight to the car.

Just like the aftermarket seat thread, just because someone ask for a change, it does not mean that there is always an advantage.

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by NWDragracing

Just like the aftermarket seat thread, just because someone ask for a change, it does not mean that there is always an advantage.

Sure there is. When the sanctioning bodies were asked to allow disc brakes on stockers, they allowed OEM disc brakes to replace the front drums on older cars. Very few stepped up and used "safer" but heavy OEM disc brakes to replace their drums. BUT when aftermarket lightweight disc brakes were finally allowed in stock, many racers jumped on the lighter weight bandwagon.

Its not about safety...its about lighter weight parts being allowed.

[NWDragracing]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Sure there is. When the sanctioning bodies were asked to allow disc brakes on stockers, they allowed OEM disc brakes to replace the front drums on older cars. Very few stepped up and used "safer" but heavy OEM disc brakes to replace their drums. BUT when aftermarket lightweight disc brakes were finally allowed in stock, many racers jumped on the lighter weight bandwagon.

Its not about safety...its about lighter weight parts being allowed.

Yep, It's all conspiracy theories!!! ...but...let's not forget that in the past 10 years the speeds of the cars have increased drastically.

So, in your world, let's keep the OEM brakes on cars exceeding 120 MPH and watch them at the end of the track lock up or fade!!!

I am done with the arguments!!! If it makes you feel better...You Win!!