LocostUSA.com

My rack is from a 1970 triumph spitfire.



Civic racks may be rear steer, but the [front] sump on the 22RE is smack dab in the way. normally, the racks are mounted in line close to the rear most cylinder.

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Georgia Tech
Ride and Handling Engineer for a major car company
Locost finished - book frame, IRS, '84 celica GTS donor, '99 tacoma 2rz motor with a turbo, megasquirt DIYPNP. Getting rebuilt with new IRS, F20C
"the all-consuming time-sucking car, which I really enjoy working on" -KB

Sorry to thread-hijack, but is the Spitfire rack front or rear steer? I'm getting ready to score one cheap.

Also, glad to see this car getting worked on again! Always nice to see projects make progress.

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Build Log (not much there yet): http://lotus.reddeth.com
442e frame, 3.4l Camaro donor

Yeah I found one for a good price too.

Looked around at some pictures and could not figure out if it was front or rear steer. I did see one that was for sure front steer but it was right hand drive which makes it useless anyways.

Now if it was rear steer AND right hand drive, I could just flip it over.

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+442 - Miata

Mine is front steer

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Georgia Tech
Ride and Handling Engineer for a major car company
Locost finished - book frame, IRS, '84 celica GTS donor, '99 tacoma 2rz motor with a turbo, megasquirt DIYPNP. Getting rebuilt with new IRS, F20C
"the all-consuming time-sucking car, which I really enjoy working on" -KB

I emailed the guy with this one. He says it is rear steer.

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+442 - Miata

That one is front steer.

I have an MG Midget rack in mine - front steer. Same unit as a Spitfire - front steer.

Early Tercel (like 81-83) is front steer.

Civics and Metros are rear steer.

G

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The Lethal Locost
The Lethal Locost 2 - Even More Lethalerer

Here is the email I got from him. Is he wrong? Because I would really like to buy this one if he is. Its a good price for me.



Then I got this a few hours later...

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+442 - Miata

The pinion is closest to you, the rack is on the far side. If the pinion were to rotate clockwise (turn to the right), it would push the rack to the right. The rack needs to be in front for this to make the car turn right.

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The Lethal Locost
The Lethal Locost 2 - Even More Lethalerer

Wow so he must be wrong. I should just order this thing tonight.

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+442 - Miata

Haha, that's the exact same rack I'm looking at

I won't snipe it or nothing, if a fellow locost-er wants it (can't even justify it now, haven't even laid down one piece of the frame yet). Besides, this means you can be my guinea pig, let me know for sure if it's front/rear steer when you get it haha.

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Build Log (not much there yet): http://lotus.reddeth.com
442e frame, 3.4l Camaro donor

OK well I hope it will work because I just bought it.

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+442 - Miata

Taylor,

You asked about depowering a steering rack. Here is a good link written by Keith Tanner at Flyin' Miata. http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php

Hope this is useful.
Robin

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Book frame, 84 Celica and 84 Toyota 2wd pickup donors....er, maybe.

Thanks I found that a couple days ago. But now I have a link where I can find it!

Taylor "too lazy to add to favorites" Thorne

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+442 - Miata

Got the rack today. Expertly packaged. But it turned out alright.



Just to give you an idea of the size. I really dont want to cut this thing down...






This kinda fits but it needs to be hella tight right, its kinda loose? Do I need to find different steering rod ends to make this work?

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+442 - Miata

Good that you showed the rack on the frame, I was wondering where you were frame progress wise.

Yeah, I know what you mean about not wanting to cut down the rack. It seems like every part has to be modified and it sure would be nice just to be able to take a part and bolt it on without having to modify it. You won't know if you have to cut it until you've fabricated your A frame arms and you'll have to take off the rubber boots to see exactly where the pivot points are.

Bottom line on the ball joint fit is that the tapers should match, otherwise the contact area is small and it will wear and loosen quickly. I used the same spindles and my ball joints didn't fit but I have a lathe and was able to machine an insert that made for a good fit.

Ron

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They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. By the time you finish the car it'll feel like you've done it on your knees.