Rack + Pinion done at a shop

theshonen8899 · 04-11-2016, 01:37 PM

I've searched and my understanding is that Respeed has kicked the bucket and any rack and pinion conversion now must be fabricated with steering racks from other cars. All of the threads I've read discuss how it can be done for DIYers, which is awesome but I'd like to know if it's possible to have this done at a shop and about how much I'd have to spend.

More info:
I had the chance to test drive a GSL-SE and loved everything about it except the loose steering and loose pedals. I've test driven a Miata and found the steering much tighter and more responsive. If I could get something like the Miata's steering into the RX-7 then I'd probably live and die with the car. Unfortunately I'm a software engineer living in an apartment so I don't have the time, resources, and most importantly experience to work on the car myself. If I can't get a shop to do the conversion affordably then I'll probably have to just get a Miata and hope I'll have the skills someday to convert the RX-7 myself.

Thanks for reading!

t_g_farrell · 04-11-2016, 03:12 PM

You probably do not want an Rx7 seeing as you don't have the garage to work on it
anyway. You should go with the miata. I say this because the 1st gen Rx7 is over 30
years old and will require frequent attention until all the old stuff has been fixed or
replaced. Since you say you live in an apartment and have no tools or experience you
should go with the more modern car that a shop can probably fix for you.

***TitaniumTT*** · 04-11-2016, 03:38 PM

I recently converted an FB to all FC suspension and steering. The fab was the easy part. The math involved in positioning everything to have all the correct angles was the hard part.
Drilling, cutting, spot weld cutting, plasma cutting and welding was the easy part.

Adapting the steering was a day long adventure disassembling both FC and FB steering columns and making a round peg fit into a square hole. Major PITA

theshonen8899 · 04-11-2016, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t_g_farrell

You probably do not want an Rx7 seeing as you don't have the garage to work on it
anyway. You should go with the miata. I say this because the 1st gen Rx7 is over 30
years old and will require frequent attention until all the old stuff has been fixed or
replaced.

I guess deep down I knew this was the answer. Hopefully I will be wiser someday and have the time to pour love into this car. Thanks for the answers!

04-11-2016, 01:37 PM	#1
theshonen8899 The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2016 iTrader: (0) Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Rack + Pinion done at a shop I've searched and my understanding is that Respeed has kicked the bucket and any rack and pinion conversion now must be fabricated with steering racks from other cars. All of the threads I've read discuss how it can be done for DIYers, which is awesome but I'd like to know if it's possible to have this done at a shop and about how much I'd have to spend. More info: I had the chance to test drive a GSL-SE and loved everything about it except the loose steering and loose pedals. I've test driven a Miata and found the steering much tighter and more responsive. If I could get something like the Miata's steering into the RX-7 then I'd probably live and die with the car. Unfortunately I'm a software engineer living in an apartment so I don't have the time, resources, and most importantly experience to work on the car myself. If I can't get a shop to do the conversion affordably then I'll probably have to just get a Miata and hope I'll have the skills someday to convert the RX-7 myself. Thanks for reading!

04-11-2016, 03:12 PM	#2
t_g_farrell Waffles - hmmm good Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC iTrader: (0) Posts: 757 Rep Power: 0	You probably do not want an Rx7 seeing as you don't have the garage to work on it anyway. You should go with the miata. I say this because the 1st gen Rx7 is over 30 years old and will require frequent attention until all the old stuff has been fixed or replaced. Since you say you live in an apartment and have no tools or experience you should go with the more modern car that a shop can probably fix for you. __________________ 1980 GS stockport, Fat Nikki, RB Dual Facetfuel pumps, Holley regulator, RB Street port exhaust, 2GDFIS, MR2 MK I electric fans, 2G strut bar, relayed fans, lights and fuel pump, LEDs Project Fat Nikki Budget 12A rebuild Video setup < $30.00

04-11-2016, 03:38 PM	#3
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	I recently converted an FB to all FC suspension and steering. The fab was the easy part. The math involved in positioning everything to have all the correct angles was the hard part. Drilling, cutting, spot weld cutting, plasma cutting and welding was the easy part. Adapting the steering was a day long adventure disassembling both FC and FB steering columns and making a round peg fit into a square hole. Major PITA __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**