DavyZ Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 Well, I can't contain my enthusiasm for much longer and would like to share with you a certain find of mine recently. Some of us are looking for power rack & pinion steering for our rides. And, Alsil has one of the best documented sites for adapting a Mustang rack to the Z. I eventually want the same thing, but am stuck WITHOUT a Z for the time being to do anything yet. However, let me tell you about the other day... Fairlady 327 (Leonard) and I were in the local JY and we stumbled upon a GenIII RX7 ('92?) that had been sideswiped. All of the running gear had been taken and there was almost nothing left in the car. Len noticed that the power steering rack looked a lot like the Z rack and even had the same mounting provisions! Well, after unbolting the unit, we strolled over to the Z cars and held it up in place, next to the Datsun unit still on the Z. The Mazda rack looks like it was made by the same company, and I have to say it is virtually identical, except for the hydraulic lines and the fact that it is 2 inches wider. I purchased the rack even though I have no idea if the thing will actually work or not, but it looks like it can with very little fabbing (but I may still be wrong) and that intrigued me enough to shell out $29 for the sweet rack. The main issue with fitment on the Z is going to be that extra two inches out to the right side, but I'm not sure this will even make a working difference on a Z. I am not a mechanical engineer, so I'm unsure of the consequences of having an "uneven" or "non-centered" position of the rack--more research needed for that... So why am I posting this? Well, if there are some guys out there that have a Z and an RX7 (BLKMGK, are you listening?), they can do a comparo if they want and give an opinion. I figure that sharing this info may help in finding a near bolt-in replacement for a manual rack, which benefits everyone. I have not done extensive research as of yet, and find it difficult to do so, especially being Z-less for the time being. I would have liked to have brought better, more complete info to the table, but some is better than none IMO. I just could not contain my enthusiasm for such a possibility, but please don't get your hopes up without looking into it first. The RX7 rack measures 20.5" from the end to end of the main tube, 31" from boot end to boot end, and 50" overall. Obviously the overall length can easily be changed, so that is not a concern. BTW the main mount at the junction of the steering shaft & the rack (left side of assembly) looks to be the same size as the Datsun unit with the same mounting provisions. The second mount (right side) is actually movable?!? Wow, this may turn out to be easier than I thought, but this would mean there would still be those extra two inches sticking out to the right side, and that has me concerned. Since I do not have a digital camera, I'll ask Auxilary to come by and snap some photos of it, and then we can post them. Ideally, I would like to post pics of the Datsun unit and the RX7 unit side by side for comparison sake. Just thought I'd let you know what was up Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 Thanks DavyZ. It sounds like something that I would want, even with the Ford rack already on my car. What is the weight of this rack?. The work that I've done with modifying racks leads me to believe the asymetrical end lengths are not going to be a problem IF, the ratio is within a usable range, and enough of the rack is still usable on the short side. I would measure the amount of rack movement you have available in both directions, and compare that with the Z rack movement, then compare the ratio or amount of wheel turn to achieve this amount of movement. I'll bet they are close enough to use. Sound great. Thanks for the info, and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 Davy - that's pretty cool! The thing that concerns me is you mentioned the rack is 2" longer on the right side. This sounds like the inner tie rod end will be 2" further outboard. That would create some fierce bumpsteer. Sorry about the rain, but that's my first impression. Is the distance between the inner tie rod ends the same as the Z? That's the key dimension in my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 Good job guys, definitely keep us posted on that one (I know you will ) the closer to a bolt in the better. P/S would be so nice, its my one complaint, its easy enough rolling, but parking (especialy parallel) bites the bag pretty bad. You show up for your appointment downtown: "Wow, what did you just work out or something?" "Umm, well yeah sort of, I had to parallel park the Z..." Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 i think that it will work, its not that the inner tie rods are out more, its the outer tierods that are super long, thats an easy one though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 Hrm, a shame that I can hardly see the damned thing in my RX7 The 3rd gen were made from 93-95 for this country BTW. Pics would really help us figure this out IMO, some measurements too. Wow, I think I'd LOVE P/S too but never thought it could happen without tons of fabrication. Kewl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted November 7, 2001 Author Share Posted November 7, 2001 Terry, the weight seems to be just over 10 lbs--but that's with the hoses (about 4 feet of metal & rubber) and with the bottom part of the steering shaft. The whole assembly is light and I'm sure is within ounces of the Datsun assembly, I'm sure of it. I'll have to check the amount of rack movement like you suggested, but I don't have a Z to really compare anything with right now--yes, that is an excuse. Yes, the amount of rack movement on the short side would be the questionable one, but just eyeballing it, there appears to be enough space for proper movement. I am at the short end of the stick right now with Z cars (not having one currently) and the job situation prevents me from going out and nabbing one, but I'll do eveything I can to provide info. Pete, the tie rod ends are really long and I'm sure can be cut & threaded to the proper length, as Leonard mentioned, I'm sure of it. As for producing more bumpsteer...well, that we will have to see. BLKMGK, I'll post pics if Auxilary can come by and snap some--I have not heard from him a few days, but hopefully will soon. What would be most helpful would be having a Datsun rack next to it in the photo...And yes, this was probably a '93 since the build date was in '92. There is almost no way you'll be able to easily measure and scrutinize your rack in the RX7--they pack those things in tight!!! Lone, maybe I'm getting old, because I like PS!! Thanks for the ideas guys! I'll keep us posted. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 'Getting' old? Yeah me too Bro, me too. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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