Front subframe design - suspension/steering experts please provide input

[niterydr]

Originally Posted by J-Ville VR-4

I assume subframe isnt the best term for what I am describing? I never did like suspension and chassis terminology, hehe. What is it called then?

Thanks for the pics! Out of curiosity, what was the price on that? If the price is right, I may just end up buying one from you instead of going through the hassle of building it

Would you be looking for a solid chrome moly front motor mount as well?

I can talk to John tonight about pricing, we would need cores to build some of the brackets off of (the rear "bracket" area/where the the trans area is we re-use as it would exponentially raise the price for minimal gains).

[zba857]

Originally Posted by J-Ville VR-4

2)I'd like to consider a rack that has has a much better ratio (I think thats the correct term). In other words, a rack that requires fewer rotations of the steering wheel to get from lock to lock.

My thoughts exactly!

Originally Posted by J-Ville VR-4

3)This probably is the least practical option for me since its really straying away from the original design of the car, but I'll at least look into it, it might be more do-able than I think: Adapting an electric rack or a hydraulic/electric rack from an MR2/S2000, etc. It would be nice to delete the power steering pump and beltline altogether, but I dont know if the electric rack is up to the task of the extra weight and wider tires, or it might require some extra sensors in the steering wheel or input from the ecu, or is might just be simply crazy expensive.

The research would take time...

Originally Posted by J-ville vr-4

4)Are there any aftermarket steering racks out there that would be suitable? I've never looked into this subject really.

I havn't looked into it either..


those pieces are nice! how much?

[sova]

If you incorporated a way to remove the power steering pump and still continued to have powered steering this would be great. This would greatly increase the opportunity to have a dry sump oiling system. I think I would have a have time not buying this if it was a straight forward mod.

Please take your time designing and fabricating these if they ever materialize. I would rather wait a year and have something that is well thought out than something that was rushed into production and fails on the market because of this.

Good luck

[Eric_VR-4]

I think there actually is a lot of interest in this subject. People don't check this forum anymore. Maybe a link thread in general would get more minds on this. I love the idea, it certainly has been a long term goal for some of us. I am interested due to the decreased flex and decreased weight. If your going to look into steering racks and u are thinking ford and chevy. I hope that is aftermarket otherwise it would be a step hackward IMO. I would love to see some Porsche rack experimentation myself
One more point I am curios about. I am wondering if the subframe is the main hinderence on turning radius. My biggest complaint on this car.

[S3KGT18]

Bump for more interest.

[jtvr4]

Did this project die?

[J-Ville VR-4]

The project is not dead, it just got VERY delayed This semester ended up being a LOT harder than I anticipated (electrical engineering courses get tough!) and left me with no free time to dedicate to my car, since I also work 3 days a week. I took my last final exams wednesday, so school is out until fall term I'm working 3 days a week during summer, but that leaves me with 4 days a week to work on the car

Dan (the owner of the lsx miata company raceconcepts.net) is swamped with work, so it looks like I might be helping him out over summer. This is good, since thats the place where I'll be designing/building the subframe at. And more good news, my buddy Tim is about to graduate from Tulsa welding school, so hopefully I can get him to work his magic on this.

I'll update when there is stuff worth updating. In the meantime, if anybody wants to do any research on any practical steering racks to incorporate into the design, I'd REALLY appreciate it. Heres my thoughts on this that I posted earlier in this thread:

1)I will look into some inexpensive racks out there, like some ford or chevy racks, I'm sure they cost loads less then even our reman'd racks do. Cheap is good!

2)I'd like to consider a rack that has has a much better ratio (I think thats the correct term). In other words, a rack that requires fewer rotations of the steering wheel to get from lock to lock.

3)This probably is the least practical option for me since its really straying away from the original design of the car, but I'll at least look into it, it might be more do-able than I think: Adapting an electric rack or a hydraulic/electric rack from an MR2/S2000, etc. It would be nice to delete the power steering pump and beltline altogether, but I dont know if the electric rack is up to the task of the extra weight and wider tires, or it might require some extra sensors in the steering wheel or input from the ecu, or is might just be simply crazy expensive.

4)Are there any aftermarket steering racks out there (performance-oriented, obviously) that would be suitable? I've never looked into this subject really.