Tsuka89

Ok I want to swap in a manual rack in my 79 whats the deal with the crossmembers. Ive heard that the crossmember is the same for power steering and manual rack from 81-83? true?

FricFrac

Aye true that... well as far as I know but then I haven't done a rack swap since my '83 NA already has the rack and pinion for the turbo swap... NismoPick?

NismoPick

Can't say that I've ever compared a 79 manual rack cross member to an 81-83 power rack cross member. From Nissan4u.com the part#'s are different... dunno why.

http://nissan4u.com/parts/280zx/us_s...llustration_3/

http://nissan4u.com/parts/280zx/us_s...llustration_3/

Tsuka89

could they be the same because of recirculating ball powersteering or manual rack and pinion 79-80. and power rack and pinion and manual rack and pinion 81-83?

FricFrac

I think they bolt in the same but the rack has more clearance needed for the turbo swap...

Tsuka89

could be... anyone else have any ideas?

Tsuka89

some thread revival, got my rebuilt 79 manual rack in today. I have a 81 power rack and pinion crossmember with the arm running from the coupler to the rack, what else do I need for the swap??, for those of you who have done it.
thanks guys

Tsuka89

some thread revival, got my rebuilt 79 manual rack today. I have a 81 power rack and pinion crossmember off a turbo car with the steering arm, what else do I need for the swap?? or am I even in the ball park here? for those of you who have done it.
thanks guys

NismoPick

Merged threads.

Today? Or a few weeks ago?

Bolt it on. I think PPK is running a manual rack?

Tsuka89

lol yep last week, cant get my mechanic to do the job (he has a 240z in his shop with bad headwork, can't seem to get rid of the thing) anyway; another question. will the manual rack work under a turbo engine(81)?

NismoPick

Dude, all the cross members (79-83) are the same. Bolt it up.

FYI... all 280zxt's use the rack & pinion due to the proximity of the turbocharger to the steering column.

Tsuka89

thnx nismopick, knew the bit about the reasoning for the rack and pinion and turbo setup, hopefully will be done early next week, (better be I have autox weekend next weekend)

Tsuka89

ok bumping with another question, is the steering shaft the same length for the 81 power rack and for the 79 manual rack? I have nothing to measure against.

NismoPick

I imagine it's the same... you could always go to nissan4u.com and look up the parts to compare.

I do know that the rack has a thinner rubber coupler compared to the recirc ball.

Tsuka89

bought new urethane coupler for the manual rack, will check the site
thanks

Tsuka89

date on the lower steering joint is listed July '78- for both '81 and '79 parts. and they are the same part number so it sounds like they are the same thing, couldnt get an answer out of zcarsource.com or msa. ZDRIVER.COM delivers the goods once again
Thanks

NismoPick

According to PPK's FB pics, he's been converting a normal rack to manual rack. Or maybe it just asploded?

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=3&theater

Tsuka89

has to be welded, I've seen it done on miatas all the time. In fact my friend just picked up a converted rack for his na miata