Power rack for Wayne Due - AGR or FR?

[c4racer]

I have a Wayne Due subframe on my 69 Camaro with a manual FR rack. I am looking to change to power - the manual is a real pain in a 3300# car with 235 performance rubber to drive around town, and really takes feel away from cornering in moderate to low speed situations - anything under ~50mph really.

The subframe uses the 5.0 Fox body rack.

I am contemplating the following options:
1. AGR 712581 (15:1, firm feel)
2. Flaming River Sportsman rack (2.5 turns lock to lock)

The AGR is about half the price of the FR, which has me leaning in that direction. $500-$600 seems like an awful lot of $$ for a rack!!

So far I am leaning towards a TurnOne pump that will be modified for the proper flow rates for the Ford rack. They have a direct bolt-on pump for a late model LT1 Corvette which is the motor I am currently running.

Any thoughts, experiences to share?

Scott

[silver69camaro]

I am a big fan of AGR racks. They are built very well and are really durable. Not to say that FR aren't, I just don't know.

Either route you go, make sure you compare the IBJ to IBJ dimension and match that with the new power rack. Manual racks are easily shortened, while '79-'93 Mustang racks are much more difficult...so it's possible your current rack may be narrower.

For your reference, the IBJ span for a '79-93 Mustang rack is 24.45".

[c4racer]

Good to know - I will measure that.

The FR tech dept has so far underwhelmed me with their knowledge. They claimed their sportsman rack has a 15:1 ratio, same as the manual rack I am using - also theirs. He then claimed the manual rack has a 4 turn lock to lock while the sportsman rack has a 2.5 turn lock to lock. If they use the same ratio and these are designed for the same chassis, the only way that is true would be the steering is limited 37% on the sportsman rack. So when I pointed that out the response was basically - we have sold many of these racks with no complaints about limited steering.

So the sportsman rack is either not really 2.5 turns lock to lock, or it has a smaller internal ratio than 15:1. But FR cannot tell me, which seems pretty weak to me.

As an engineer, I want to know the detailed specs, and when I get the run-around it makes me wonder how competent the company I am dealing with really is....

[c4racer]

btw - IBJ stands for what?

[TBART70]

purchased an AGR rack to replace the stock mustang one that came with the chassis. It looks like a quality unit compared to the NAPA rebulit part. Did not use it yet.

[c4racer]

is that the power rack?

[TBART70]

yes power rack

[BRIAN]

IBJ = INNER BALL JOINT.

Also verify legth from end to end without outer tie rods. I also think FR used a 1/2 outer rod or? whatever it is I believe is different than a lot of outer tie rods that are narrow enough for some spindle widths. They now make their own bumpsteer kit otherwise it is hard to find bolt on deal for thst size

The early fox body turbo and 5.0 Tbird were available with variable ratio rack that is bolt in and is cheap if bought at internet sites. Rock Auto has the correct one for $90 plus approx $30 core. They actually list the regular and the variable. They have the 24 IBJ width and same mtg dimensions.