Hi Guys,
I am building a 1200 coupe for rally/autocross and was wondering about rack and pinion steering because you should get a better steering ratio than the standard box, i have been doing a little research and found that kb laser is the go? I would like to know how much i should pay for a second hand rack and anyones thoughts on the matter.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanx

got a mate here 1200rallycar he runs stock in rallys and does good

sorry i forgot to add that my steering box needs to be rebuilt and i need to buy a new draglink so i thought you would get a better result with a rack and pinion setup

pay whatever the seller wants lol

what advantage will you get from rack and pinion?, you can change the length of the steering arms if you really want on the stock

but the steering ratio is probably one of the last places you need to worry about improving

a 350mm steering wheel works great for us, tried a 320mm once it was crap

Get it to go well, get it to handle well, learn to use a locked diff and start off with about 2 degrees of front camber. Forget the rack and pinion.

agree except locked diff... don't like them.....lsd at whatever cost (even if its a phantom grip for $250, which is what i have)

Totally agree with that too but most kids start out with locked diffs cause they can't afford lsd.
LSD's brilliant on the dirt. Used a subaru one in the 180B and it made the world of difference.

Mike Im sure you drove your brothers Escort to see how good they are? I really like the Eskys R&P personally & would definitely investigate it even pay someone whos done it.
Its my last modification as there are other important things but when the time comes Im definitely going R&P.

I agree with 1200rallycar on two points,

1. there are far better places to spend your $$ and time than on fitting a rack and pinion, what's wrong with your original that warrants overhauling? is it out of adjustment? if so let me know and I will advise you how to get more adjustment out of it.

2. Stay far far far away from locked diffs if you are starting out, I've been driving
rallycars for close to 25yrs and I have seen some very accomplished drivers come to grief simply because of the locked diff, if you are starting out - if you can't get a lsd do what 1200rc has done and get a phantom grip, if you can't do that stay with an open diff.

My 'now obsolete' 2cents worth - strange, when i started rallying in 1984 2cents wasn't obsolete...

im staying open diff till i can get either pahntom or lsd.... whichever comes first. dont lock it and the 1200;s have quick enough steering as is to not need rack and pinion.