Fast steering rack | FerrariChat

Fast steering rack

Discussion in '308/328' started by tobygaff, Apr 22, 2022.

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  1. tobygaff

    tobygaff Karting

    Dec 5, 2010
    196
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Hey guys.
    I have seen the Superformance fast rack, and I think it is something I would really like to have, but not sure it is a project I want to take on. What is involved in that rebuild? How hard is the process?

    Are there any other options like buying an already rebuilt fast rack from anywhere?

    Thanks for any input.
     
  2. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
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    Jun 20, 2012
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    I just signed the cheque. Gives it a much better drive, though. Avoid slow speed manoeuvres or instal EPS
     
  3. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    I think the steering racks on these 3x 8s are just fine, what is it that you hope to try an achieve by altering the steering ? Im curious .

    Thank you
     
  4. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Seems like it would make it twitchy on the highway
     
  5. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    I have one...no twitchy. It's not THAT fast. ;)
     
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  6. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    Its a waste of money if you ask me, you dont need to change anything on the 3x8s , they were genius right out of the factory , its that simple.

    Thank you
     
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  7. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I like them as is too but they do benefit from that windage tray.

    It's so simple I don't get the lack of need from the factory. I mean this is a Ferrari, not a family sedan. Surely the engineers expect hard cornering with these cars
     
  8. bernieb

    bernieb Karting

    Apr 16, 2007
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    I have one in my 308 and I would never go back to factory. These cars are so light the extra effort is barely noticeable even at a standstill. At speed is the payoff anyway...Just drive someone else's and you'll know if it's for you. "ya can't knock it 'till ya try it." Slow ratio is for ancient school buses with manual steering.
     
  9. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    #9 ginoBBi512, Apr 27, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2022
    I have to say , Im not sure what your looking to do with a faster rack ? I mean, first of all, the feedback through the steering on my car is second to none, when I turn the wheel, its exactly where I want it to be, I dont even have to pay attention, so to speak , changing the ratio would for sure screw that up for me. I can put my car into a perpendicular to the road slide, and bring it back around with precision , every time . Changing your ratio for faster speeds ? I dont get it, case in point, I can go from the 73 to the 55 right hand sweeper, with a dip, at 100 MPH, and my steering and my car are exactly where they are suppose to be, so if your saying its better performance, I think your kidding yourself. I know I have said this before, but after 100,000 miles, I know the 328 s suspension, handling, on and off the limit like the back of my hand , the steering rack is perfect for the car, remember, N. Lauda involved with design development, and 1970s F1 technology is all over these cars, dont try and up them to todays modern BS, it defeats the entire purpose, .The rack and the ratio are perfect for these cars , its that simple gentlemen .Buy a late model 911 or a Q 50 if you want more modern.

    Thank you
     
  10. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Niki Lauda probably didn't drive the 308 in as many parking lots as I do. It's the barely moving moments that the faster rack is appreciated.
     
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  11. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    Come on Mr. Thorn ! lol You can turn that wheel lol Try ripping around a banked corner on track in a shifter Kart, the steering gets even more difficult than it already is when the camber is 0. I dont know, my car is never in any parking lots, the only time its at a stand still is at a light or in a gas station. The 3x8s are not everyday go to the store cars, they are driving machines . When I dont need any gas, my stints are at a minimum of 3 - 4 hours on the different loops of tarmac I drive , without getting out of the Ferrari at all until Im home .I would never even consider leaving my car in a parking lot, unless of course Im at a cars and coffee.

    Thank you ,
     
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  12. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
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    I have puzzled over the slow steering rack of the 308. Certainly it is a lot slower than modern cars. At first, I didn't like it but I have grown quite accustom to it and have absolutely zero issue with the stock rack. I like it now.

    I am only speculating, but my speculation is that the rack is slow because the car is designed as a Gran Turismo. It's design intent is to bomb down the autostradale and autobahns at 250 kilometers per hour. Fast racks get twitchy at that speed. The slower rack makes the GT experience more comfortable.

    In the end, it is personal preference. Certainly all modern cars have faster racks than the 308, although all also have power assisted steering.
     
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  13. tobygaff

    tobygaff Karting

    Dec 5, 2010
    196
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Thank you for all of the replies guys, but please re-read the original question. The question is not “Should I get a fast rack or not”. The question is how much labor is involved with the install, and is doing the rebuild the only option? Does anyone sell complete fast racks ready to swap out?

    Thanks
     
  14. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
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    Wow, Gino. Your amazingness never fails to impress me. I was really impressed when you said that the ghost of Ayrton Senna shows you how to drive and that you’re the fastest motorcycle ever to ride the ortega highway but now I find out that you’re the only person in the world that not even the laws of physics can touch.

    Sigh.

    As long as you’re on planet earth and the laws of gravity, centripetal, and centrifugal forces apply, a banked turn requires less steering effort, not more.
     
  15. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    What if the corner isn't banked?
     
  16. jumpinjohn

    jumpinjohn F1 Veteran
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    Good luck getting back on track! ;)


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  17. HotShoe

    HotShoe F1 Veteran
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    I installed one. It's pretty easy if you have basic wrenching skills.

    There is a full tutorial on a rack rebuild from a Pantera site I used for reference. It's the same rack we have in our 308's. Take a look to see if it's something you'd be comfortable with:

    http://www.panteraplace.com/page203.htm
     
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  18. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
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    #18 sherpa23, Apr 28, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
    did you read Gino’s post? You should read it. I quoted it in my post for clarity. He said a bank led corner is harder to steer than a 0° corner. That’s the whole point: that cannot be as it runs counter to the laws of physics.

    you might as well ask, “what if you’re driving straight and not turning because there is no corner?” Because that would also be equally irrelevant to what Gino posted and what I was responding to.
     
  19. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    #19 ginoBBi512, Apr 28, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
    , Im the one ripping around the Kart track, Im not being critical with crap I know nothing about,( physics aside ) you dont know what your talking about . In my Kart , at Adams race track, the resistance in the steering wheel is significantly stiffer on the banked corners, I know , Im the one out there, your the one who does nothing but talk **** . Please if your so smart , go buy a Kart , come to So Cal, and we can race each other, put your money where your mouth is. And yes, I am being guided by the spirit of Senna When the corners are flat, its easier for me to turn the wheel , but its easier to lose the ass end. In the banked corners, I can get on the power harder and sooner. Maybe you should keep to helping folks climb up Mt. Everest / Rockies mr sherpa , rather ridicule folks to make you feel better about yourself, good grief. I dont know how things feel in a full size race car through a banked corner, but in a Kart, at said track , it feels more difficult when the corner is banked , rather than flat. By the way, Im on the way to the track again today, to partake in my God given talent !!! lol Maybe your mum and dadda did not give you enough attention when you were a child ? !! lol Yes, I can take it, no problem, no problem giving it back lol .Maybe wish me luck instead ? lol Its going to be another cool day at the track, maybe 65 degrees !! Im stoked

    Thank you
     
  20. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    #20 ginoBBi512, Apr 28, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
    Maybe it feels harder because Im carrying significantly more speed ? Maybe thats the reason . I did think of that until just now. I have never driven my 328 on track, so I was wrong when I posted about Mr. Lay in his 328 on track way back a few months ago, with that being said, I would love to see how the 328 feels through a banked corner as far as the steering rack goes. My point stands as far as the 3x8 s steering racks being an absolutely perfect fit .

    Thank you
     
  21. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
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    Nov 12, 2011
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    Speaking of tracks, in an attempt to get us back on one:

    I'm curious to know the ratio differences between the standard rack and the SuperformanceUK fast rack?
     
  22. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
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    #22 sherpa23, Apr 28, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
    Hi Gino,
    I wouldn’t be so quick to say that you’re the one out there and I know nothing about this stuff.

    Not only have I owned shifter karts for thirty years (I don’t even think you’ve owned one for thirty days) but I’m a track instructor for a bunch of car clubs. I’ve raced in wheel to wheel competitions and I was a national champion on two wheels. All of that said, I’m not anyone special, just someone with experience.

    I mean, it’s okay to not know everything there is to know and proclaim how incredible you are when you take major risks on public roads (or tracks without the proper gear). It’s okay to be a normal person who is learning this stuff for the first time. Not everything has to be so over the top and bombastic. In short, it is okay for you to be a normal person.

    And lastly, I have the fast steering rack. It is a fairly involved process. It was done during a restoration of my car and when I wanted to put it in my former 308GTB, it was too involved to just do with no other work.

    Since someone will say this thread is worthless without pics…


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  23. tobygaff

    tobygaff Karting

    Dec 5, 2010
    196
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Thank you. I appreciate it.
     
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  24. tobygaff

    tobygaff Karting

    Dec 5, 2010
    196
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Yeah…. Seems to have gotten just a smidge off topic at this point. Oh well…. I guess that’s how it goes sometimes.
     
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  25. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    @sherpa23 You don't know squat.

    Adding oil on top of black ice is great for traction.
     
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