honestly for what you're using it for I would stick with power steering,it really makes no sense for what you're doing unless you're trying to lose as much weight as possible...anyway the manual 15:1 is "suppose" to be good for road racing,the 20:1 for just about everything else. I'd imagine with 17 x 9" and 15:1 it'll be a real pain in the a$$ after awhile of driving around on the street,I wouldnt do it.

 

You make a good point. However, about 10 years ago when I had my first 5.0 and money was tight, I ran a power steering rack with no pump and 17X9's. It was a lot of effort, but not horrible by any means.

Now that things are different, I want to do things right and use the right rack. I have an underdrive crank pulley and p/s pulley (large 95' V6 pulley)and the steering is just way to loose for my taste. I think a manual rack will be a perfect compromise...just got to get the right ratio

 

well with the emphasis on road racing go with the 15:1,it should be easier then a disconnected powersteering rack.

 

Is there any alternative to getting a $300+ manual rack nowadays? I just LOVE the feel of manual steering, but for the price, I just can't justify it.

Is there a like-model that had manual steering that could be swapped in?

Eric

 

I believe you can use on from an 80' Mustang, not sure exactly which part number.

Any other suggestions on steering ratios??

 

I would def go w/ the 20:1 if you are road racing - it takes a little getting used to (its only ~2.5 turns lock to lock) but instead of having to slow a bit more to turn the wheel earlier/more, thats more time to accelerate

Eric

 

I have the Flaming River QR rack with Konig 17x9 wheels and a 255 series BF Goodrich tire. You have to make sure you're moving when you crank on the wheel; little more difficult but easy to get used to

 

Good question was wondering the same thing; I am ready to install a manual rack kit from flaming river. Arts Performance has them for: (shipped)
Standard rack kit $379
Quick ratio kit $430

Spoke with a street rod buddy who had the quick ratio and he said it was very twitchy.

 

God there is no way i would pay that much for manual steering. look at my above post

 

I run the flaming river quick ratio rack on mine. I am a relitively strong guy and wouldn't want to run anything more than my skinny's up front. It would just be too much of a pain in the arse.

 

Thanks for the first hand experience reponse... That helps me make my decision.

Considering Ill be running a 9" wide wheel in the front, Ill stick to the standard ratio...

 

I have the standard Ratio FLaming River Rack and the only thing I can say is "I wish I would have done this 17 years ago!" It is awesome and not difficult to handle by any means. Granted I have skinnies on the front but even when I had my chrome ponys on with a 225 tire it was not bad at all. The only thing is that you have to make sure you start to roll before trying to turn the wheel and you won't feel a major difference at all. I got the entire kit for $327 from Laurel Mountain Motorsports of ebay! Rack, tie rod ends and steering shaft.

 

I run the Flaming River 15:1 manual rack with 17 X 9's and 275/40/17 tires on my SVO...on the track, the feel cannot be beat; on the street at slow speeds and especially parallel parking, it's an armful and somewhat annoying.

HTH

 

Well back in the day all the high perfomance cars had manual steering. I had many with wide tires on the front and no problem with daily driving.