The lethal_vr4 manual steering rack: Street test and review

[mjannusch]

I don't think I'll be at either UMG or NG, unfortunately. I'll have to look at the finances and see when I'd want to get one of these. The car needs a lot more than just a steering rack at this point.

[WolfSL]

Subscribed. I'm very interested in the track results. Since the engine is already out of my car it would be the perfect time to put something like this in.

[Struggly]

Jon probably has more track time than me with the rack, but I just got back from Watkins Glen and thought I'd post up my impressions.

This really is a great mod for a roadcourse car. The Glen has some pretty tight turns, but I was never wanting power steering. The wheel has weight, but steering inputs were easy and the wheel felt very controlled and smooth, even with my wide tires. I'll be interested to see how it feels on NHIS, which is a smaller and more technical track, but right now I don't have a single complaint about the rack in a track setting.

The only thing I want to mention is it's behavior during spins. On my very first lap I misjudged a corner and oversteered considerably. The wheel got ripped out of my hands and I was, for a moment, trying to control the car with just the throttle while I got things under control. With no power assist, the wheel will get the best of you if you're not expecting it.

After that, however, I drifted and slid through that same corner a few more times with no problem as I was experimenting with line and turn-in. I think a spin that requires a lot of countersteering to correct would be a touch difficult with the manual rack, but, then again, one shouldn't be at that slip angle anyway.

Clint

[lethal_vr4]

Originally Posted by Struggly

Specifically, it is not the effort required to turn the wheel that I find to be higher than I expected, but the effort required to maintain that wheel angle.

I have Tein Flex with SCE’s camber caster plates. When I originally installed the plates a few years ago, the front wheels would return to center more forcefully (this is a product of increased caster).

Clint,

How much caster are you running? Maximum? How much camber? I was thinking about your problem the other day and dusting off some of my racing text books.

The synopsis:

The more positive castor, the more the steering will self-center (which generally is a desirable effect). However, the more positive castor, the more effort it takes to turn the steering against this castor. What we want to adjust castor/camber for is a compromise between easy self-centering and heavy steering (and of course traction while cornering).

Based of your impressions, I'm going to surmise that you might have too much castor and should try pulling it back some. I know when I first put on my SCE caster/camber plates (on my JIC FLT-A2's) I went max caster.

Also note that castor also affects the camber when the steering is turned. The more positive castor, the more negative camber on the outside tire during cornering. So you could try less caster, more "static" camber and still have equal "dynamic" camber while cornering. Just something to think about/tinker with.

[Struggly]

Originally Posted by lethal_vr4

Also note that castor also affects the camber when the steering is turned. The more positive castor, the more negative camber on the outside tire during cornering. So you could try less caster, more "static" camber and still have equal "dynamic" camber while cornering. Just something to think about/tinker with.

This is exactly what I ended up doing: More static camber, less caster. Don't have the exact caster numbers anymore, however.

Clint

[phule]

wow i feel out of the loop.. I havent been on the forum in a while but i've so wanted this. hows the demand been and will you still over this over the course of the new year.

[lethal_vr4]

Originally Posted by phule

wow i feel out of the loop.. I havent been on the forum in a while but i've so wanted this. hows the demand been and will you still over this over the course of the new year.

I've only done Clint's test rack and my own so far. I can do this mod at anytime. Ironically, I am doing a rack right now for an upcoming 3/S shop. I was thinking of doing a group buy if I can get 4 more people to jump in for $400.00

Matt J. if you want a rack now is probably the best (cheapest) time.

Jon

[mjannusch]

Originally Posted by lethal_vr4

Matt J. if you want a rack now is probably the best (cheapest) time.

Consider me "in". I'll just wait to hear the details for logistics and will be ready to go.

[lethal_vr4]

3 more to go.

[phule]

shit 400 is pretty nice... count me in ill find 400 by the time the other 2 show up.