kenny_b Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 Hey everyone! I want to convert my Z31 300ZX to Manual Steering. What steering rack could I use "bolt-in"??? Any ideas? Anybody done that before? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xenonxiii Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 The z31 was never offered with manual steering, So anything you do will not be a bolt in install. The 280zx did have a manual rack in the early years and it may transfer over with some minor mods but I haven't heard of this being done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evildky Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I converted my Z31, just remove all the power parts, and loop the hydraulic hard lines on the rack, not a big deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentNight1647 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 That will work but the rack will still be a power steering ratio which means you may need to crank the wheel over several times when parked which is a pain. I would recommend measuring the rack and getting a correct length one from an aftermarket supplier that was designed for manual steering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 2, 2007 Author Share Posted December 2, 2007 That will work but the rack will still be a power steering ratio which means you may need to crank the wheel over several times when parked which is a pain. I would recommend measuring the rack and getting a correct length one from an aftermarket supplier that was designed for manual steering. Do you actually have that 280zx? Can you check if it is mounted BEHIND the front axle? Because if it is, I'm sure I can put it in. The wheelbase is the same, since Nissan almost exclusively changed the body and not the chassis. If you want to do me a huge favor, you could measure it, too and take a picture But I understand if that is too much asked for, so if you don't feel like it, don't worry. Thanks anyway!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaparral2f Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I've been thinking about putting the clutch off an air conditoner onto the pump? The clutch could be switched so you could have power when parking, but there'd be no power loss when the pump was disengaged. Just an idea, I don't know if it would work or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeamNissan Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I've been thinking about putting the clutch off an air conditoner onto the pump? The clutch could be switched so you could have power when parking, but there'd be no power loss when the pump was disengaged. Just an idea, I don't know if it would work or not. I was thinking the same thing for a roots supercharger, mad max style lol. Bet it could be made to work. Idk about a condenser clutch but still..... Don't like the idea of just unplugging a stock one either, silentnight is correct about the ratio. I know I personally would not deal with that. Prob look like popeye after a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 Well, I am definately not trying to run on a power steering rack w/o pump. I agree, that would be insane ratio-wise. Not to mention wider tires... I would just like to be able to pull two pulleys out, one from the A/C and one from the P/S. That way I could use a shorter belt on the auxillaries, and I'd be able to place the alternator where the A/C sits now - that would lower center of gravity AND lose weight. All I need is a manual steering rack that somehow fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbesheer Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 That's right the Z31 has a serpentine belt. Anyways maybe you can take ques on the supercharge clutch system from the MR2 supercharger. It has a clutch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 That's right the Z31 has a serpentine belt. Anyways maybe you can take ques on the supercharge clutch system from the MR2 supercharger. It has a clutch. Oops! Did I mention I have the LT1 Chevy small block installed? Guess not... Anyway, timing is done via chain, so no belts there. The only things running on a belt are the A/C, P/S, Alternator, and a tensioner; all driven by a crankshaft pulley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 what a subby rack with a steering quickener? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 what a subby rack with a steering quickener? Thanks for your comment - what? Can you please put it in a sentence that I can understand? I'm sorry, but I just can't figure out what it means... Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 your new to cars ill forgive you,(lol) subby or subbie is an abbreviation for subaru. a few people have put subby rack in their 240's and such, so i think it should fit with little to no problems except for the steering shaft may need to be shortened. and well with a little help from google im sure you can find out what a steering quickener is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 6, 2007 Author Share Posted December 6, 2007 your new to cars ill forgive you,(lol) subby or subbie is an abbreviation for subaru. a few people have put subby rack in their 240's and such, so i think it should fit with little to no problems except for the steering shaft may need to be shortened. and well with a little help from google im sure you can find out what a steering quickener is. Well, but the 240's steering rack goes in front of the axle, correct? So, I assume the subby (thx:) goes in front of the axle, too. I don't want to have to steer left to actually go right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 forgot about that. actually i drive my z31 w/o power steering and it isnt bad at all, these cars are light enough that you really hardly notice it unless you have big tires in the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 9, 2007 Author Share Posted December 9, 2007 forgot about that. actually i drive my z31 w/o power steering and it isnt bad at all, these cars are light enough that you really hardly notice it unless you have big tires in the front. Hm, yeah. That might be the way to go. I'm just afraid that 225 slicks will not allow me to steer at all. How wide of tires do you drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 usually 245's all the way around, the hardest part about it is just getting used to it, after that its a walk in the park, just build up your muscles a little before you head to the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 what did you do with the lines? just loop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 dont laugh at me for this, i just cut the belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_b Posted December 12, 2007 Author Share Posted December 12, 2007 dont laugh at me for this, i just cut the belt. Yeah, but the whole point for me would be to get rid of the P/S pump... It would probably be the same if I'd connect the pipe ends... well, that's my last option... will keep it in mind, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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