1G Manual rack, or flyin miata mod?

[Geeb]

So basically Im not sure whether I should still source out a manual rack, since they're 4 1/2 turns locked, and depowered is 2 1/2.. Is the manual worth it?

Some people say manual racks are great and they wouldn't even think about looking back. Some people say they prefer the depower because of the shorter steering radius..

Is the flyin miata mod a good compromise between the two? Or what do you guys think?

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[ThunderChild]

I did the flying miata mod, and in retrospect, it's good for feel, but not for handling and comfort. It makes the car feel very heavy and hard to manage. If it's a drag only car, it's a great mod, but for auto-x, road course or the like, no way.

I'll be switching to an EPAS system of my choosing in the near future, but in hindsight, I prolly wouldn't change my choice. getting rid of the p/s pump, lines, cooler etc is nice for space and other maintenance work, as well as the notorious leaky pump isn't advancing my alternator degradation.

 

[PlanZero]

I had my rack converted by Eaton motor works for $80. One of the best mods for handling hands down. Definitely go with a properly converted power rack with a reinforced shaft. Much more responsive than a manual rack. I absolutely love it.

 

[91talonts1]

I have one of the modded racks in my car, had mine done by Eaton as well. Much better than simply looping the lines.
I have never driven a true manual rack 1g, but my modded rack still isn't quite as easy to turn stopped as the cars with true manual racks I have driven.

 

[Geeb]

I have one of the modded racks in my car, had mine done by Eaton as well. Much better than simply looping the lines.
I have never driven a true manual rack 1g, but my modded rack still isn't quite as easy to turn stopped as the cars with true manual racks I have driven.

Which do you think your prefer on the street? I'm building a street car that will see track time. Not a daily because I have a geo beater also =] hah..

Anyway.. The true manuals you've driven, we're the extended turns a PITA or you don't really notice?

I did the flying miata mod, and in retrospect, it's good for feel, but not for handling and comfort. It makes the car feel very heavy and hard to manage. If it's a drag only car, it's a great mod, but for auto-x, road course or the like, no way.

So it's actually a more challenging turn? I thought the whole reason for it was to make turns easier.. I heard it increases bump steer and stuff, because of less resistance in the turning... Maybe I miunderstood.

I had my rack converted by Eaton motor works for $80. One of the best mods for handling hands down. Definitely go with a properly converted power rack with a reinforced shaft. Much more responsive than a manual rack. I absolutely love it.

When you say responsive, you mean a better feel while turning? Some people would define more responsive as simply an easier turn, but by the other post im assuming that's not the case...


....

Guys, any drawbacks to the modded racks? Are any of you thinking about still going true manual, Or you guys really satisfied with what you have now

 

[91talonts1]

I have no idea what a true manual 1g rack feels like, and they don't make a 2g so I don't know if other manual rack cars I've driven are a fair comparison. The depowered racks are perfectly streetable as far as I'm concerned though. The only time I really notice a difference between it and power is when sitting still and really low speed anyway. If you aren't autox or something I don't think you'll mind it at all.

 

[PlanZero]

Responsive as in the car responds to the steering wheel better, especially with the shorter turn ratio of a depowered rack. No more slop, you feel the road more, and the car goes straight through bumps, unlike with PS. Just generally tighter. High speed curves are awesome. I drove my buddy's 1g manual rack and I prefer mine much more. Can be a PITA in parking lots, you just have to learn to steer with two hands and thumbs while slightly in motion.

 

[riopgtmn]

Eaton Motor Works? They do 2g powered to manual rack conversions?

Contact information?

 

[Geeb]

Eaton Motor Works? They do 2g powered to manual rack conversions?

Contact information?

if I'm understanding them correctly, its not a true manual conversion its a mod, and maybe basic rebuild of some sort.

search "Flyin Miata steering rack mod" on google, you'll see what were talking about.... you can do it at home if you have the basic knowledge to (not that these guys don't, some people just prefer to leave certain things to professionals)... but check it out first.

 

[Geeb]

Responsive as in the car responds to the steering wheel better, especially with the shorter turn ratio of a depowered rack. No more slop, you feel the road more, and the car goes straight through bumps, unlike with PS. Just generally tighter. High speed curves are awesome. I drove my buddy's 1g manual rack and I prefer mine much more. Can be a PITA in parking lots, you just have to learn to steer with two hands and thumbs while slightly in motion.

I had no real problems when my daily beater ran out of PS fluid and it was like running... exactly how it sounds..

but that's a 1995 geo prizm, light as can be... so yeah I see where 91talonts1 means when he says you cant really compare one to the other because I'm not expecting it to feel anything like that haha

thanks guys.

 

[91talonts1]

What Eaton Motor Works does to the racks is the same thing as the "Miata mod"as far as I know. He welds the pinion and all the holes shut, and packs it full of grease. You can find him on Facebook.

 

[PlanZero]

Brandon Eaton does excellent work. I wrote a review for the rack awhile back (can't find it at the moment), as I'm not a welder and I had a donor rack to try it on. For $80 it was well worth it, a quality piece. I had a slight issue with mine at first, and Brandon immediately shipped me another since it was for my DD at the time.
And I think it feels wayyyy different than a PS rack run out of fluid, broken belt, looped lines, etc. That usually still has fluid trapped inside which creates pressure. The miata mod replaces it with grease, so it's lubed up like a [insert profane reference here] and really smooth. Eaton claims 1g guys prefer his racks over OEM manual racks.

 

[gofer]

I have an Eaton depowered, I guess you'd call it Miata mod, rack in my car too. Save's ~ 15lbs in crap and makes the car more reliable, can't comment on the driving feel yet as I have yet to steer with it at speed but on the floor in the garage it's easier to rotate lock to lock with the car off than it was with the P/S rack.

Quality work, quality service, and a great price. He's gotten really busy from what I'm seeing on his page the last few months so don't expect a quick turn around...

EMW - Depower Rack Service ANNOUNCEMENT

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[PlanZero]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/eaton-motorworks-depowered-steering-rack-review.503644/

 

[ThunderChild]

The miata mod, or eaton modified racks, will be harder to turn than a full powered rack (obviously), but give you better transmission of road characteristics through the steering wheel. Yes, you can feel everything which is awesome, but bump steer increases some (alignment settings will have an effect on this) and any road crown/abutments/longitudinal variations make the car pull with this mod. Parking lots are also more difficult, but I've noticed that isn't the worst part of it into, since I have a welded center diff as well and it's not too difficult for me.

My biggest complaint for the mod is how it makes the car feel like a 3/4 ton truck at mid and low speeds, the weight you feel through the steering wheel is immense. At highway speeds you'll barely notice it tho.