MAGK944

Judging interest amongst autocross and track cars running manual racks for a quick (2.5 turn lock to lock) rack and pinion kit. I need at least 20 to make this happen, cost will be under $200.

Oddjob

2.5 turns to lock, is what - about 15:1 ratio?

MAGK944

I don't know how to convert to ratio, all I know is my manual rack is about 3.5 turns lock to lock.

The manufacturer is Quaife in the UK. They do similar conversion kits for the 911 and will do a kit for the 944 if there is demand (20+ kits). Here is their 911 kit: http://www.quaife.co.uk/shop/products/qsf3q001

Oddjob

The manual rack is about 23:1 ratio, the power rack is about 19:1 ratio (about 3 turns lock/lock). If you drop the ratio that much more, its going to be quite a bit more effort to turn than even the depowered power rack (which many already complain about). So may need a school bus sized steering whl to turn the car on an auto-x course....

MAGK944

Agreed it's not for everyone, hence this feeler. The advantages are better turning and cornering response and quicker to correct the direction of the car. Disadvantages are higher steering wheel effort so might need a larger wheel to overcome this effort. To overcome the negatives I am also looking at a power steering kit with the same ratio. BTW turning radius in unaffected.

Here is the last response from Mark at Quaife:

f the rack is of similar dimensions to other Porsche racks we make and does not hold any particularly special or difficult features, I can be confident that the price would reflect our other retail prices. The current quick rack we make for Porsche, QSF3Q001 is £143+tax. *
*
If you are interested in placing an order, please ship to me a* sample rack that we can assess and I will confirm the price of a batch of 20 units. Lead time is typically 12 weeks from receipt of sample.

Jrboulder

A 2.5 power rack is something I might be interested in.

MAGK944

I'll be traveling to Europe later this year and will drop off a manual and power rack with Quaife. Obviously a 2.5 power rack will have more takers but I have only spoken to them about the manual rack, waiting for a reply on the power rack kit.

Rest assured these will be quality kits. For those who don't know Quaife produces some of the best racing transmissions, LSD's, etc and are very active in European racing circles. Looking at the other rack kits they produce I am expecting the price to be no more than $200.

pettybird

also interested in a power kit.

good work even starting to look into this!

333pg333

I'd be interested in the power rack also.

V2Rocket

im interested...would love to see if the manual rack slider would work in a power rack housing...be sort of silly to buy a $300 manual rack just for the housing.

MAGK944

You won't need to do that. These will be new items with no exchange. Also, I'm hoping for a positive response from Quaife about the power rack kit. Will keep y'all posted.

V2Rocket

Are you saying Quiafe will manufacture a rack housing to go with the new rack?

I assumed that this group buy was just for a rack (the geared part), not the housing that bolts to the crossmember.

JonH

Interested, have wanted a quicker ratio on my manual rack for a while. Autocross effort is already really high now but track is no issue. For $150-200 it might be worth the experiment. Keep me updated, thanks.

Jrboulder

Doesn't the early 924 have a higher steering ratio than the 931 and 944 manual rack?

MAGK944

You asked if the manual rack & pinion will fit in the power rack, it won't. What I am getting Quaife to build are two rack and pinions both with 2.5 lock to lock, one to replace the manual rack & pinion and one to replace the power rack & pinion. You keep your original housings either way.

They have dine this for many cars, VW, Audi & Porsche in the past, it's just they never got around to doing the 944. I have to supply them with the complete racks so they can manufacture identical sized rack & pinions, with the same arm fittings, etc but with gearing cut to provide the 2.5 L-L.

What you will get is similar to the picture below (a rack & pinion) and you will need to swap out the same parts in your rack.