See thread title... thanks

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Check out my build!
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Should be, the Indy had the WS6 package. The P22 book shows only 2 racks for 84-86/87



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World of Wheels Winners
My 3.4L S/C 87 GT
& Super Duty 4 Indy #163

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-03-2009).]

good chance.
there are 2 racks (as mentioned above)
1.5 turns lock to lock & 1.25 turns lock to lock
SE & GT get the 1.25, and not sure of the indy - but I would expect it has the 1.25 also

The SE got the quicker ratio as well? ... I didn't know that..

my GT must have whatever quick ratio box it was built with in 87 cause the turning radius really sucks lol

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First LX9 Fiero GT, 1987 | My Fiero Fuel Economy | MPG Display for OBD I
Youtube Videos of My GT | modernize your fiero with technology!
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem
Fiero's are people too. We pay just as much attention to them, if not more than our loved ones
screw paying those bastards. im not going to become rich by paying for things.....

quote Originally posted by americasfuture2k: my GT must have whatever quick ratio box it was built with in 87 cause the turning radius really sucks lol

The ratio has absolutely nothing to do with the turning radius. The steering stops are built into the brake caliper brackets and control arms not the rack.

The ratio effects how quickly you will get to the stops. Some people complain that the quicker racks feel 'twitchy'

quote Originally posted by Pyrthian: 1.5 turns lock to lock & 1.25 turns lock to lock SE & GT get the 1.25, and not sure of the indy - but I would expect it has the 1.25 also

I think you meant 3.0 and 2.5 turns lock to lock, or 1.5 and 1.25 turns center to lock.

Can anyone confirm then that the SE models would have this as well...?

I have a book entitled "Fiero: Pontiac's Potent Mid-Engine Sports Car" by Gary Witzenburg, copyright 1990, published by Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers. It states in a table the following for the steering gear ratios:

19.2:1 ratio (fast)
1984 Coupe/Sport Coupe/SE
1985 - 88 GT
1988 Coupe

22.0:1 ratio (slow)
1985 -87 Coupe/Sport Coupe/SE

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: I have a book entitled "Fiero: Pontiac's Potent Mid-Engine Sports Car" by Gary Witzenburg, copyright 1990, published by Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers. It states in a table the following for the steering gear ratios: 19.2:1 ratio (fast) 1984 Coupe/Sport Coupe/SE 1985 - 88 GT 1988 Coupe 22.0:1 ratio (slow) 1985 -87 Coupe/Sport Coupe/SE

I should know this since I've owned an 85 GT in the past, but can you tell me really what I should expect to feel in terms of difference?

If I'm behind the wheel, with the quicker ratio, I should be able to move the wheel a greater distance with LESS turning of the steering wheel, correct? This would basically make the car feel more "responsive"?

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Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

That's right. The numbers mean that theoretically it would take 19.2 turns of the steering wheel to turn the road wheels around 360* with the quick ratio rack (if that were possible), and 22.0 turns of the steering wheel with the slow ratio rack... so yes, the quicker rack (19.2) will feel a little more responsive.

quote Originally posted by doublec4: Can anyone confirm then that the SE models would have this as well...?

I replaced the rack in my 86 SE with one I got at the Fiero Factory swap meet, which came out of a GT (not sure which year, but I think 86). I didn't notice any difference in steering.
(I replaced it because the passenger side bushing in my old rack was bad. Some day I'm going to put a new bushing in the old one.)

Thanks guys, I might just skip doing it. I have enough on my plate right now in terms of rebuilding the suspension. If its not a considerably quicker rack, I doubt I will feel it in even in spirited driving on the road.

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So 19.2 is the best we can get? This sucks! The 5.0 Mustangs are 15:1!

Someone makes drop spindles for Fieros.

If the spindles are mostly one-off parts anyway, they could modify the casting so that the tie-rod mounting point is closer to the steering axis.

It's an option.

I've rebuilt the rack on my 88GT and having an issue.
I'm reinstalling now,and we are trying to get center.

The rack had "88 Formula" written in grease pencil (JY style),so it's not the stocker.

What is the formula ratio?
I'm getting 3.25 turns lock to lock,not 2.5 or 3.0.

Any help would be appreciated,the alignment guy here at our shop(ford dealer) is helping me and I personally Phail at suspension work period.

quote Originally posted by Isolde: So 19.2 is the best we can get? This sucks! The 5.0 Mustangs are 15:1!

True, and for this reason alone is why Power Steering is a good thing. If you had a 15:1 manual rack the steering effort required would be unacceptable.

To shed some light on this..........

The 85 - 87 GT got the faster 2.5 turn rack.

All of the other 84 - 87 had the 3.0 turn rack. NOT sure about the Indy - Fierosound has an interesting chart.

All of the 88's used the same rack - do not remember turns lock - to - lock, will have to check the Formula.

And you CAN feel the difference between the early model "slow" and "fast" racks! It is well worth the time and expense for the changeover.

quote Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Someone makes drop spindles for Fieros. If the spindles are mostly one-off parts anyway, they could modify the casting so that the tie-rod mounting point is closer to the steering axis. It's an option.

I had a set of 88 knuckles welded and redrilled for the tie rod to be closer to the bearing. That combined with my F body power steering was crazy fast. I took off the custom knuckles and just have the power steering. I never tried to use the custom knuckles on a manual rack. The shop I took them to does this regularly for race cars for faster steering.

quote Originally posted by Isolde: So 19.2 is the best we can get? This sucks! The 5.0 Mustangs are 15:1!

IRM use to sell a 16:1 ratio rack. It was the same one used on the real 1984 Pace Cars (The 3 that actually were built by Pontiac with SD4 engines and such)
I do not know what company made them. If someone has the Pontiac Performance Plus magazine, they should be able to look up who made them as it was also used on the SD4 race cars. (my PPP magazine is on loan to a friend at present)

quote Originally posted by doublec4: Can anyone confirm then that the SE models would have this as well...?

I have 2 1986's that are SE's They have the slower ratio steering, the faster ratio was a sports package option.

From what I have been able to find out, all 1984's had the faster ration steering.

Nick

quote Originally posted by Oreif: IRM use to sell a 16:1 ratio rack. It was the same one used on the real 1984 Pace Cars (The 3 that actually were built by Pontiac with SD4 engines and such) I do not know what company made them. If someone has the Pontiac Performance Plus magazine, they should be able to look up who made them as it was also used on the SD4 race cars. (my PPP magazine is on loan to a friend at present)

Anyone know the web site or contact information, I would really like to find a 16:1 ratio rack

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Brian
86 GT Fastback