Miata P/S rack

[Grog]

I remember a while back someone posted a threat about using the p/s rack from a Miata. I tried the search function but couldn't get anything posted earlier than 2004 for some reason. Does anyone remember the specs on the rack that was used e.g year, part number, pump, etc...? I think this swap was a little easier than the 95 Mustang rack.

[fastzcars]

Hi Grog, That was me. I used a 93' miata rack. I tried using the stock P.S. pump but couldn't find a bracket that would work. I used a G.M. type 2 pump from a early 90's sunbird , with a ZOOPS Long water pump style bracket. I found 2 months later that SUMMIT Racing is making a kit using the Zoops bracket with pump.The mounting for the rack itself needed to be modified. Here are some pictures for you http://photos.yahoo.com/be/graphequ@pacbell.net/1st?.dir=zcar&.view=t

[Grog]

Thanks for the link. You do nice work.

 

Any pearls of wisdom to pass along about the swap? Did you have to make any mods to the rack itself? Where did you get the steering shaft? Did you use the stock Miata tie rods, so on and so forth....

 

I am debating either this particular swap or the Mustang rack. Any information you care to pass along will be much appreciated.

 

Grog

[fastzcars]

hi Grog. Thanks for the kind words. Lets see if I can answer your questions. The steering shaft is a hybrid of a Z and the miata. The top half is a z and the bottom from the miata, The miata is a hollow tube and the z shaft almost fit inside. I had to file the z shaft a little for it to fit.then I had them welded together. The Rack itself didn't need any mods. But the inner tie rods had to be cut down and rethreaded for the stock miata outer tie rod ends. I think I cut about 2.5 to 3 inches off each end. I don't remember now. The miata outter tie rod ends bolt right up to the z steering arms, oh, the steel lines had to be bent just a little bit. The crossmemmber needed the most work, I had a local z shop weld the perches for me, The perches needed to have a flat surface for the miata rack to mount correctly. and I didn't trust my welding. The power steering hoses where a bear to figure out. The thread's in the rack are 16x1.5 mm I got mine from McMaster Carr. They are 16mm to a dash 6 AN adapter. you need 2 of them. You also need HIGH PRESSURE hose. I hear that the pressure from the pump to the rack can be as high as 1500 psi. so I used stainless steel teflon hose , rated at 2000 psi. The reserve tank is a modified Miata, The mounting tabs where on the bottom of the tank originally, I had them cut off and rewelded to the back of the tank. But even after I did all this work, My suggestion is probably start with the subaru WRX rack, It look's like a closer match to the stock z rack. The miata rack is 1.5 inches wider from the inner tie rods compared to the Z's at 25 inches. I may have bump steer issues. I don't know yet. because I haven't driven the car yet to confirm this. I hope I didn't discourage you from doing the mods. It's not hard. Just take time and patience. It took me 4 months to figure things out. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.