Thread: Manual Steering Rack users chime in

I was just wanting to get some feedback from anyone running an "e" model manual rack.
I bought a complete set up for my sentra racecar that I am building(slowly).I will be used for the dragstrip ,so my thoughts were weight reduction and more gradual steering as well.That way the car should stay straighter down the track easier,too.(at least in theory,anyway,lol).

Here is my dilemma....I have a DD nx with no power steering(looped lines,but still has power rack).I am not sure if I like it or not,it takes some getting used to.Very hard to steer at slow speed.
I was thinking about using the manual rack I got for the racecar ,on my nx and was wondering how it would be for a daily.Its a crapload of work ,and was gonna wait till I pull the engine to do it.
I wish someone around here had a car I could drive before I go through all the trouble.

Any opinions ,from experience,not hearsay would be great
I am tired of ps leaks and old pumpss,racks,etc. and seems like the "e" rack would be the solution

I put a manual rack in my NX 3-4weeks ago, i have had lines looped before, hated it, the manual rack isnt hard to steer IMO, kinda hard at a stop but not like my power rack looped, it is a PITA to do in the car, if you do it i would recomend pulling off the intake manifold of the big bracket for the mount to the trans and also the crossmember, you can get it out through the side with alot of fighting but it is a PITA

^,^I was gonna wait til I put my VE in another shell,and do it before the motor is in.I just don't wat to do that and then wish I had my power steering back.
I wont do the looped thing again,my car was already like that when I got it.It is either manual or power,thats it.

if you have the manual rack, might as well use it, i like mine i dont drive the car everyday but i havent complained about it yet.

Andy

A couple things to consider

The manual rack is "slower" than the power rack...that is to say the # of degrees the wheels pivot per degree the steering wheel is turned is less on the manual rack. You will have to turn the steering wheel more with the manual rack effect the same turn. (from the FSM, ratios: manual: 22.7 power: 16.5)

The manual rack has a longer rack stroke (amount the rack can move from stop to stop) is longer on the manual rack than the SR20 power rack. This was to prevent the larger tires on the SR20 cars from rubbing. Putting the manual rack on a car with wide tires may cause rubbing problems at full lock. I know that 205's on my power steering NX rubbed the undercoating off the frame during track events.

For a drag car it is probably a plus...for a road course car...not so sure.

I put on in my egg.... I haven't gotten it on the road yet... but I will let you know.

hmm..interesting.
I knew about the different steering ratios,but not the length of throw.
Thanks,do you have one on your car?

bump,anyone else

Still looking for more input....

I put a E rack in mine and don't regret it. I have 205's on B14 rims and there is slight rubbing but it's against the wheel well plastic not the frame. At a complete stop turning does take some effort but let off the clutch to get it rolling and it turns with a lot less effort. I also did it with the motor out.