355 Ferrari F355 Challenge Steering rack

There is one key issue here I'm not sure I should divulge .

There's only so many fast steering pumps left in stock. Approximately 7 .

 

That's also a possibility, I had contact with Tim about speedline some time ago.
We can ask him about a quick ratio rack!

 

Just let me know once someone has contacted Tim and seen if he is interested, and I can get a rack to him if required.

I have no real need for a quick rack, but with 3 spare standard ones here, converting one may be of interest if you can get the numbers. It typically seems to be 10 or more of bespoke parts to be pre ordered to make such viable.

Pumps, good call but there are always aftermarket solutions off the shelf for such if stocks dry up.

 

Message sent to Tim

 

I don’t know much about the inner workings of the pump, but can the standard pump be modified to faster specs?

 

Thats cool on the setup getting rehabbed

I prefer a newer design rack and pump. Im not a purest as Im track only but understand

 

I wont be running a 355 engine in my car so don't know the details of their specific pump, but there are motorsport pumps, electric pumps, or electric assisted columns that could be used as alternatives for uprating if needed were my thoughts.

 

Ive got one here on my shelf.

Who has the other six?

 

Tim replied they don't do steering rack.

So Sportech is the way for now

 

That is a pity.

 

Hey do you happen too still have that 355 tube chassis cad file from Greg like 7 years ago. Putting together an f40 pretty soon and would like to get a roller done before I have the body made. Message me for more easy contact.

 

It wasn't too long ago when I wrote this .

 

I need to call in to see Tim again at some point, in the meantime I also have to strip one of my 355 racks to reseal it, so I may take the bare rack and pinion with me to see if his machinist that makes the propellor shafts could replicate such but with a sharper ratio.

 

"Putting together an F40" + "have the body made" should get its own thread with lots of pics...no?

 

Who can tell me what car this steering rack came from? Says produced in 95.


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Ken, the ID plate is clipped. I can only see the last four numbers of the rack's part number: 4576

If it's the Challenge rack you're looking for, it wasn't produced in 1995.

Barry

 

I *think* the Fiat X1/9 uses the same TRW steering rack as the 355.

Quaife makes a quick rack and pinion kit for it: https://shop.quaife.co.uk/shop/steering/quick-rack-kits/fiat-x-1-9-rhd-quaife-quick-rack-pinion-kit-2-4/

Who wants to try?

 

Hmm how certain are you that the Fiat shares the same rack? I might be keen to try this.

 

Quick image search suggests the fiat rack isn't powered. Also, I don't believe quaife make a quick rack for any power steer cars.

 

Same here. It's manual.

 

Might be a fun upgrade to convert the car to a manual quick rack.

 

I was researching steering racks some time ago and remember noticing that the TRW part numbers for the Fiat and 355 racks (possibly the manual rack?) were the same. Unfortunately, I can no longer find the references I found back then.

 

I'm not sure if that will be an "upgrade" or how much "fun" it will be, Brandon. The difference between your stock steering rack and the Challenge/FHP rack is only a quarter of a turn each way. Yes, both racks have their dedicated power steering pumps. But remember, the F355 has variable assist power steering although not as refined as in later models.. With speed, the power assist decreases and the steering firms up. This would become very evident if you were to track your car and most obvious on a high speed track like Daytona.

I once had my power steering accessory belt break while I was on the track. I didn't notice anything amiss until the session was over and I had to pit in. At that point, my Challenge steering rack became a "manual quick rack" and it was no fun getting back to the garage. The steering was very heavy at the 15 MPH speed limit in the garage area. Making the 90* turn into the garage bay was a real effort.

 

Co-sign what Barry said. Try driving a 964 RS America, which has a manual rack. It's not fun. And steering feel isn't improved either, because with a heavy manual rack you're driving the car with your shoulders and back, not your hands.

 

Does anyone know what Jeff Segal did to modify his F355 steering?