Im Building The Bob Sharp Race Car, And Am Wondering Which Type Of Steering Is Better For Racing. I Have Both The Recirculating Ball Steering Or The Rack And Pinion At My Finger Tips.

 

Do you know which 1 he used??

 

Well the power steering recirc. ball version had the quickest ratio of all the ZX steering systems. I usually prefer R&P though for it's feel but I've HEARD (never verified) some bad things about the R&P on these cars as being sloppy. I'd get a second opinion on that though cause I've never even driven the R&P version.

 

I've owned both and I prefer the ball type. My 81 with the r&p was nowhere near as responsive as my 80 with recirculating ball. I agree with J, Rack and Pinion is fundamentally a better system, but the type used in the S130 was a little iffy. ... ... Rod.

 

which versions of the 280ZX came with the rack and pinion and which came with the recirculating ball?

 

79-81 non turbo with power steering got the box (2.7 turns lock to lock)
82-83 non turbo with power steering got the rack (3.2 turns lock to lock)
All Turbo and manual steering cars got the rack (3.5 turns lock to lock)

 

Oooops! My '81 non turbo had power rack and pinion (it was available as an option that uear...) ... ... ... Rod.

 

Good To Know, Now I Got 2 Racks, Now There For Sale!! Any Takers.

 

Yeah theres always statistical anomolies Like N42 blocks with P79 heads in the 81. That year saw a lot of transitional variety amongst it's models. Seems like 81 was kind of a transition from the early Z's to the late Z's. 81 being more of a late Z but still kind of mixed up with some early Z stuff on it