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Topic: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/15/14 11:57am Message 1 of 9
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bio11
Former Member
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Oklahoma City, OK - USA
Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432
Vette(s): 1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.
Greetings... I've been away from here for awhile but life happens. Need to do a few thing to my car....

I'm looking at the Rack Attack from VBP... I completely rebuilt the front end a couple years ago except for the steering box because I wasn't sure which way to go. Ive decided on the Rack Attack from VBP. My question is that I have long tube headers. Has anyone had clearance problems with the steering shaft. Mine is a Big Block car so It's kinda tight anyway. The other question is I don't have power steering... should I stay manuel or go power.

Thanks Guys

Lonnie





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Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/15/14 12:17pm Message 2 of 9
HighDesertDave
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
I discussed these kits with Unisteer, the manufacturer of the actual rack in all of these kits regardless of brand. You will most likely need a 3rd U-joint allowing you to route around your #1 or #2 header tube. This will also necessitate a support bearing be used near the middle U-joint to keep it from flopping around. One end mounts to your frame on a stand off, the other holds the bearing the shaft runs through. You may also need to cut the shaft coming out of your column shorter to accommodate the route around.
A manual rack will improve steering effort and provide excellent road feel but not nearly as easy to turn as the power. The power will have a quicker ratio vs. the manual rack and has fewer turns lock to lock.


My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/15/14 5:33pm Message 3 of 9
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F4Gary
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1528
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.
I wonder if the Borgeson unit would fit in there better.


   

Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/15/14 8:36pm Message 4 of 9
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bio11
Former Member
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Oklahoma City, OK - USA
Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432
Vette(s): 1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.
The Borgeson unit is the other option I was looking at... but everyone seems to like the Rack and pinion kits. I am leaning toward power instead of manuel in my advanced age!!!!    Smile




Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/15/14 10:11pm Message 5 of 9
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F4Gary
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1528
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.
I've heard a lot of guys like the Borgeson over the Rack and Pinion kits.  One complaint was that the rack & pinion turning circle is bigger.





   

Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/16/14 6:41am Message 6 of 9
C3Stingray
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Alpharetta, GA - USA
Joined: 3/17/2008
Posts: 3
Vette(s): 1977, 1972 LT1 w/Air, 1972 Base coupe

I've been researching this for about 6 months and will be upgrading to the Rack Attack or Flaming River next month - I'm leaning toward the Flaming River.  It seems to me, based on all the different posts I've read on many forums,  that the Borgenson is more for aesthetics since it looks similar to the original steering box and performs a little better than a complete rebuild with trouble-free maintenance.  So its a matter of preference for purest or performance - I choose the "bolt-on" performance route myself.


As for clearance, I've spoken to a few Vette repair shops in the Atlanta area, and they all say the same thing, that all the rack and pinion kits require some modification to the install instructions - so I personally would have a reputable shop do the work.  And as for turning radius, the Flaming River maintains the stock radius with no bump steer issues.




Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/16/14 7:28am Message 7 of 9
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Sarge81
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
I think it's a personal preference between the rack and pinion vs. a Borgeson power box.

I chose the Borgeson box over a rack system because I didn't want to lose any turning radius that is associated with rack systems. Plus there wasn't any heavy modifications to putting in a Borgeson. The only thing I had to do was collapse the steering column into itself a couple inches. Everything else was straight bolt in. The steering is quick but not "darty." 

There are people who will debate over the safety of the steering column being shortened or collapsed a couple inches. My feeling is if you or anyone else (God forbid) get into a nasty head on or frontal offset collision in a C3, the chances of avoiding serious injury or death is nil. A inch or two of travel in the column isn't going to make much difference IMO. These aren't exactly the safest cars on the road. Especially as they age. 

Whatever your choice is we are here to help out if you have any issues with your install. You may also want to check with the different manufactures to see if there are going to be any clearance issues being that your car is a big block with headers. 








GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


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Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/17/14 8:53am Message 8 of 9
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bio11
Former Member
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Oklahoma City, OK - USA
Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 432
Vette(s): 1972 LS5 Convertible,Auto.Targa Blue with Black Interior.

I haven't looked at the Flaming River kit... I'll check it out...  as for shortening the steering shaft for the Borgeson install... what is involved in that? Do you just cut some off the end of the shaft?


Thanks

Lonnie




Re: Rack Attack Clearence problems?

Posted: 2/17/14 9:31am Message 9 of 9
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F4Gary
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1528
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.
No, you just knock it in about an inch by banging on the end.


   

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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