Rack And Pinion Steering Conversion
12-26-2003 | 12:24 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,788
From: Perth, Western Australia
Hey,
Been thinking about a rack and pinion conversion, since I've seen the CP Racing conversion kit.
What I wanna know is, is it possible to drop the subframe out of a 2nd gen and bolt it back onto the chassis rails of a first gen?
I know this would kinda be a PITA for me to actually do, since I've already got the oil pan and cover for front mounting the 13BT, but if it were possible, you'd get the (a) side mounted engine (b) rack and pinion steering. All you'd have to do is change 2 wheel hubs to match the stud pattern.
I sorta had a quick measure by eye and the 1st gen subframe has a smaller bolt pattern, but there are extra holes in the chassis rail.
If I were to go custom-made bracket, would a standard 2nd gen rack fit, or do I need to go some type of VW rack like the CP kit?
P.S. Nothing against CP racing, but its unfeasable for me to just buy their kit.
Been thinking about a rack and pinion conversion, since I've seen the CP Racing conversion kit.
What I wanna know is, is it possible to drop the subframe out of a 2nd gen and bolt it back onto the chassis rails of a first gen?
I know this would kinda be a PITA for me to actually do, since I've already got the oil pan and cover for front mounting the 13BT, but if it were possible, you'd get the (a) side mounted engine (b) rack and pinion steering. All you'd have to do is change 2 wheel hubs to match the stud pattern.
I sorta had a quick measure by eye and the 1st gen subframe has a smaller bolt pattern, but there are extra holes in the chassis rail.
If I were to go custom-made bracket, would a standard 2nd gen rack fit, or do I need to go some type of VW rack like the CP kit?
P.S. Nothing against CP racing, but its unfeasable for me to just buy their kit.
12-26-2003 | 01:45 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,788
From: Perth, Western Australia
Well, from what I've read at different places (evil forum 
) its a pretty big difference.
I just figured since I had a 2nd gen subframe I might give it a go and because the box tends to be a bit vague. I want to have as much control as possible if I'm going to be drifting it.
It would make 13BT swaps even easier if you could swap the subframe!
PS. Merry Xmas Luis.
I just figured since I had a 2nd gen subframe I might give it a go and because the box tends to be a bit vague. I want to have as much control as possible if I'm going to be drifting it.
It would make 13BT swaps even easier if you could swap the subframe!
PS. Merry Xmas Luis.
12-26-2003 | 11:26 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,788
From: Perth, Western Australia
Looking through the 2nd gen FAQ's, you can convert the PS rack to a manual rack which is good. Means I dont need a new rack since I chucked the PS pump.
I pulled the FC subframe and roughly measured it up. The front two mount points are very close to the FB subframe, the back 2 points will need extra work though. I'll post some explanitory pics soon.
I pulled the FC subframe and roughly measured it up. The front two mount points are very close to the FB subframe, the back 2 points will need extra work though. I'll post some explanitory pics soon.
12-26-2003 | 11:50 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,788
From: Perth, Western Australia
Here you can see the FB subframe (remember I'm RHD). Because it only handles the engine mount its smaller, but the width is almost identical to the FC subframe (I say almost as I roughly measured it.
