Steering rack for Corvette C7 front suspension.

[chevyz240]

I am building a car more or less from the ground up (see: https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/107091-quot-Mechanix-Menace-quot-An-LS7-motivated-chopped-and-heavily-modified-1973-Datsun-240Z). I am using Corvette C7 front spindles and A-arms. The track is a bit smaller than the C7, which is one of the reasons I can't use a stock C7 steering rack. I would like a fairly quick steering rack with maybe 2.2-2.7 turns lock to lock with a steering circle similar to the C7. I will use power steering. When searching steering racks, it seems that most have a travel of 6" or less. I have not found out what the stock C7 rack travel is, but it's larger. With a 6" travel, my steering circle will be too big for my liking and with most ratios available, the steering will also be slower than I would prefer. Can anybody help out with suggestions for a steering rack that might work for me? What are you guys who run C7 suspension using? Any help in the matter would be highly appreciated! Thanks in advance! :)
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[dhutton]

Detroit Speed offers a few racks.

https://www.detroitspeed.com/products/steering/rack_and_pinion/

[chevyz240]

Detroit Speed offers a few racks.

https://www.detroitspeed.com/products/steering/rack_and_pinion/

Thank you for the tip, dhutton! Unfortunately, they all have even shorter travel than 6".

[blklightning1]

Original poster, are you stating that the C7 doesn't have enough travel to turn lock to lock?
If so, why not make a "tie rod" extension adapter that will have female threads to match the C7 rack and use heim ends with bump steer spacers to attach to spindle.
There are many ones available for other applications, I can't say internal female thread is the same on any pre fabbed adapter out in the inter webs. But, any competent machine shop should be able to measure thread size and pitch. I would think someone knows the thread/pitch of a C7 rack or buy the C7 outer tie rod end and measure with a metric fastnener or thread gauges.
Just a thought though, Sweet Mfg makes rack and pinions for automotive/truck racing applications, might be pricey hence the fabrication of a simple adapter. Which is how I would deal with it based my retired time is free to me.

[egoman]

Am I the only person that immediately thinks to just shorten an existing rack? Whatever you shortened the suspension side to side, shorten the rack the same amount. C6 racks look pretty easy to modify?

[David Pozzi]

Most companies are using a Fox body mustang rack & shorter fabricated Steering arms. There are two ratios, a fast and slow. DSE uses the slow ratio with their arms that are shorter than most other subframe makers. I don't recall the ratios but search on the Mustang forums for Mustang cobra racks.

[CSG]

Most companies are using a Fox body mustang rack & shorter fabricated Steering arms. There are two ratios, a fast and slow. DSE uses the slow ratio with their arms that are shorter than most other subframe makers. I don't recall the ratios but search on the Mustang forums for Mustang cobra racks.

If using a Mustang rack then the 03/04 Cobra rack is the one to get. Be careful of rebuilt units as they typically have the internals changed out with the "normal" mustang rack parts.