No progress on mine yet, other than I think my 2000 rack is a little bit different from obsessed's rack, because of pre 98 racks were different a little. From the looks of things, all I have to do is cut the tie rods down, and rethread, because the rod looks thick enough all the way down.
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11:57 AM
Nashco Member
Posts: 4144 From: Portland, OR Registered: Dec 2000
FYI, I did some looking around on GMpartsdirect.com and it looks like the steering rack changed (part numbers are different) around 98 or 99. The exploded views look the same, but that doesn't mean anything.
Curiously, the earlier racks (pre 98/99) have two different racks, one for heavy duty suspension and one without. The later (post 98/99) have two racks, one for handling package and one without. I'm guessing it's just a nomenclature thing, probably both of them refer to the ratio change.
In order of cost from gmpartsdirect.com, the late model w/ handling package is the most expensive, then the late model without, the early model w/ heavy duty suspension, and the cheapest is the early model without heavy duty suspension. The most expensive one is $370, cheapest is $275. The core charge is the same for all of them.
Bryce 88 GT
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12:54 PM
Fierobsessed Member
Posts: 4782 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 2001
They go for 50$ on ebay and on car-part.com Most versions too. Can't go wrong with that price. Im going on vacation so it looks like this will take a while longer to complete.
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06:11 PM
Rickady88GT Member
Posts: 10648 From: Central CA Registered: Dec 2002
Believe it or not, I'm still playing with it. When I did the conversion I also decided to take care of the turning radius problem that 84's tend to have. In doing so, the shock now comes in contact with the tire and the brake caliper. I am modifying the lower A arm and the crossmember to take an 88 shock in a coil over style. Should solve alot of problems. But doing this is easier said then done. I'm at the point with it where I debait weather to make tubular lower A arms or just to continue modifying the stock ones... This is going to be a long week.
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03:22 PM
DustoneGT Member
Posts: 1274 From: The U.S. Superstate Registered: Dec 2002
I'm not trying to start a flame or anything, I just have an honest question:
Why?
I personally prefer manual steering, sure its a little hard sometimes in a parking lot, but I prefer the feel of manual steering out on the road because I feel a more 'direct connection' with the road.
Is ease of use in a parking lot worth all this trouble to you guys? Not to mention the loss of power going to the wheels because the steering pump hogs.....is it worth it?
Like I said, I am not trying to start an argument, I really want to know why.
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04:35 PM
mrfixit58 Member
Posts: 3330 From: Seffner, Fl, USA Registered: Jul 99
i believe that everytime someone asks that question it is the spark that starts the flaming. so lets extinguish it quickly so we dont all burn....
------------------ Brandon Edmonds
1996 Taurus SHO (my baby) 1986 Ford EXP (goin bye-bye soon hopefully) 1986 Fiero (to be my street rocket) 1977 yamaha xs750-2D (in pieces right now, doesnt appear that it will be done for summer, unfortunately)
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09:57 PM
PFF
System Bot
Vonov Member
Posts: 3745 From: Nashville,TN,USA Registered: May 2004
Quick...somebody pee on that spark...keep on goin', Roy...to answer the original question, it's worth it to me, because (a.) I'll soon have a 4.9 installed and not overly concerned about the so-called 'power steering pump drag' and (b) I have a few metal fragments in my shoulder which make driving my Formula at low speed in parking lots a bit painful, to say the least. Now, where the heck were we? (Goes off muttering about whuffos...)
------------------ 88 Formula, "Asphalt Aviator"
For those who understand, no explanation is necessary, for those who do not, none will suffice...
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10:27 PM
Jun 28th, 2004
Fierokid87 Member
Posts: 4954 From: N. Ridgeville, Ohio, USA Registered: Jan 2001
I personally have driven a Power Stearing 88. No not eh Electric one. A belt driven. And I loved it. I dont mind the manual rack but seems to me that at high speeds it harder to control a manual then it is a power.
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01:25 AM
Rickady88GT Member
Posts: 10648 From: Central CA Registered: Dec 2002
DustoneGT: as you can see power steering in a Fiero is a ...........hot topic and is not for everyone. But for the people that do want it, seem to want it for different reasons. I for one am going to do the power steering for the VERY fast steering ratio that came in the Camaro SS. The 88GT has about 3.5 turns lock to lock and the Camaro SS rack is only 2.25. Do I need it? No, but that is what I want and why I want it. Others may want or even need it for different reasons.
BTW a "direct connection with the road" is not just in the steering rack. The entire suspension/wheel setup working together is what gives you that "good feeling" of the road.
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03:05 AM
Will Member
Posts: 14226 From: Where you least expect me Registered: Jun 2000
Originally posted by Rickady88GT: I for one am going to do the power steering for the VERY fast steering ratio that came in the Camaro SS. The 88GT has about 3.5 turns lock to lock and the Camaro SS rack is only 2.25. Do I need it? No, but that is what I want and why I want it. Others may want or even need it for different reasons.
I feel the same way. The weight of the Fiero steering doesn't bother me, but it's SOOO DAMNED SLOW. I want FAST steering, but unless I redesign the suspension for almost no caster, a fast rack is going to have to be a power rack in order to not have unreasonable steering effort.
------------------ '87 Fiero GT: Low, Sleek, Fast, and Loud '90 Pontiac 6000 SE AWD: None of the Above
Luck, Fate and Destiny are words used by those who lack the courage to define their own future
