ratio of FFR steering rack #13702

[Glory Bound]

Can anyone please tell me what the ratio is of the FFR manual steering rack, part #13702? Thanks.

Mark

[Mikey_P]

I believe it is 15 to 1.

[Brian Z]

It is listed as a 15 to 1 ratio. A stock mustang power steering rack is also listed as a 15 to 1 ratio rack, but our rack is a lower ratio rack in reality. It is more turns lock to lock.

Best regards,

[Glory Bound]

Thanks Brian.

[Glory Bound]

What does FFR recommend for a replacement power steering rack for autocrossing?

Thanks

[Jim Schenck]

We mostly use the V8 Mustang (87-93) rack that is 2-1/3 turns lock to lock, that is the quickest one they make for those years of Mustangs. We have also experimented with a steering quickener (2:1) on both the fast and slow power racks but found it too easy to over steer the car and there was also not much feel.

[Glory Bound]

Thanks Jim. Autozone has the racks for under $100. Would you recommend a hydraulic or electric pump? Electric is more costly but is there an inherent advantage other than the lack of horsepower drain? With the stock Mustang hydraulic pump, do the standard Mustang hoses work and is the stock pump sufficient?

[Glory Bound]

PS-do you think I'll have an issue with tie rod ends? I had to change mine out to get a toe adjustment with my manual rack.

[Jim Schenck]

The hydraulic pump really doesn't take much drag during straight line accelleration and it is the easiest to bolt on and go. The electric pumps can be nice in that they can be bought or adjusted to a lower pressure to make the steering feel better and not quite so over-assisted. If you like to fiddle with the electronics then go with the electric but otherwise I would stick to the stock stuff: pump, brackets (non ac), hoses all will fit.

If you have shorter outer tie rods to go with the longer manual rack then they might be too short for the power rack. The best thing to do would be to keep the tie rods and install the power rack extensions. You can get those from us but also there are likely some guys who got them with their kits and then went manual steering so I would ask around here first.

[Glory Bound]

Thanks Jim. A few guys in the DC area use Fast Freddie's electric pump setup. I figure total cost of a hydraulic pump setup is around $450 if I can find a reverse rotation water pump for my 460 to stick with the March pulley configuration I have now. I may go with Freddie's setup for around $1k to eliminate some hassle there. Anyway it is a winter project for me since I don't want to take it down now with my rookie season of autocross in full swing.