Ultimate Power Steering Thread!

[Roadster]

I have a flaming river manual rack 15:1 and I think i want to go Power Steering right from the begining. I know there are MANY options. Hopfully we can make a thread to list the many possibilities and the BEST application!

Rgds

Rob

[FFR2166]

I believe you have a late MK2 frame with the SAI mod and a 408. Also you have SN-95 spindles with 13" brakes. Your steering shaft exits through the top side of the footbox so your steering shaft will be different than whats currently in use.

Here is a good thread to start with which shows some of the breakdown of parts....
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181072&highlight=power+steering

Here is a bracket you might be interested in on eBay..
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/42000091/Images/3/4306-PBK.jpg

Or you could go the factory style with the Ford Racing M-8511-A50 and M-8511-A351 since your are running a 408
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/fms-m-8511-a50_w.jpg

You'll want to run the rack extenders to get your inner tie rod end to pivot inline with your control arm mounts. You should be ok with standard outer tie rod ends unless you want more adjustablility from the heim jointed ones. You can cut the spring in your pump or get a Heidts valve for more tuneablility of the assist. Factory lines can be bent to fit or you can get all the AN bits from Breeze to run stainless braided. You can get a sweet pulley from Wazee pulleys. You can use an oil cooler plumbed inline to keep the fluids cool in race settings or spirited street driving. Your alignment settings will change and should provide better high speed stability. Use the offset rack bushings to center the rack left to right in the frame as its slightly offset to the driver side. They also lower the rack as well to help with bumpsteer. This is a start and hopefully this is what you were looking for. Good Luck

Mike

[trublue]

I used a 2000 Mustang GT donor for my MK3. I used the OE power steering rack. The feel is supple and responsive with a light touch. It was very easy to install. I recommend this system.
trublue

[Bill_VA]

I posted this on the "other forum":

Well, I finally did it. I did some extensive homework on this forum and talked to some tech reps from steering companies and went to work. I had the Flaming River manual rack with the SAI mod and at speed the car was quite managable, but at parking lot/driveway speeds the car was an arm full.

I gotta tell you, if you're on the fence about going power steering or not, DO IT!! Don't let others tell you otherwise, it makes the car handle soooo much better. After turning in to the same corner to come into my neighborhood, at speed, and knowing instinctively when and where to turn in, the power steering is the most amazing thing. I can now turn in so fast that I have had to watch myself to keep from hitting the inside curb. Amazing steering response.

Here's what I got:

AGR rack P/N 712591, made just for Cobra replicas ($381)
KRC aluminum pump P/N 20005 000 ($192)
KRC 4.2" aluminum pulley P/N 20015 007 ($67)
KRC pump-mounted reservoir P/N 91312 000 ($99)
Russell hose and ends ($100)
CV Products aluminum pump mount P/N CV222-SBF-LTW ($65)
FF5 steering shaft ($185)
Edelbrock water pump P/N 8845 ($250)


I had a standard rotation water pump and the serpentine belt only drove the alternator and water pump. To drive the power steering pump, I had to run the belt under the water pump which neccessitated changing to a reverse-rotation water pump. I had a machine shop mill off the grooves on my existing March water pump pulley, and drill new mounting holes (also got a new March pulley cover to fit the new bolt pattern. The CV products mount came with a gray anodizing that I didn't want so I polished it and treated it and the polished water pump with SharkHide (see FFmetal, he sells it).

http://www.humtech.com/4bill/IMG_0777a.jpg

http://www.humtech.com/4bill/IMG_0776a.jpg

http://www.humtech.com/4bill/IMG_0773a.jpg

[efnfast]

Use the FR rack - I love mine. Easier to install, no chance of leaky-leaky.

[FRANKRAT]

Go to Breeze, thats what I did and am completely satified.

[OttawaFFRer]

I've been thinking of going manual on my FFR but seeing as I have all the parts from my donor, fox mustang...what needs to happen to simply use what I have for power steering on a roadster?