auto x and manual steering

[Kyle65mustang]

I'm looking to start auto crossing my 65 mustang and my biggest concern right now is my manual steering. It's amanu box with the quick pitman/idler. Is anyone out there using a manual box? I thought I saw another mustang with one at good guys Pleasanton a few months back and it looked like his problem was he couldn't unwind fast enough. Thanks for any advise.

[bryant]

on my maverick (same steering system) i have the manual center link with the power steering box. it has a ratio of 15-1. i can successfully autocross it. it is a lot of work on the wheel and i have moments of wanting faster steering. after about 8-10 runs on a practice day my arms are tired. i am looking into swapping to a faster ratio power steering system down the road.

[Randy67]

I ran a quick ratio manual box on my 67 El Camino at autox. It wasn't too bad, but as I got used to the car and got faster, I noticed it was slowing me down more, especially in slaloms. After switching to a 12:1 power steering box, it was like night and day. You can autox with manual steering no problem, and change it to power down the road when you feel the need.

[bret]

A manual box will be a significant hindrance on an autox course. Get a Borgeson power steering box for that car. Huge upgrade for the track and the street. It is much better than the OEM Ford slave cylinder power steering system. Don't even consider a rack conversion.

[dontlifttoshift]

Manual steering, 155/80-15 in a 2400# car......it has power now. You'll be fine for a while but it is a work out.

[Kyle65mustang]

Thanks for all the help. I was wondering if it was even worth taking the car out with my manual box. Just curious, Bret, why do you say not to consider going to a rack down the road?

[bret]

Thanks for all the help. I was wondering if it was even worth taking the car out with my manual box. Just curious, Bret, why do you say not to consider going to a rack down the road?

I have yet to see a rack conversion that does not have SERIOUS compromises in bumpsteer, turning radius, and bracket/component flex. Rack and pinion steering is a great system WHEN it is designed into the front suspension from the start [by an oem or by an aftermarket chassis manufacturer]. Not so much when trying to retrofit.

One notable exception to the above is the TCP unit from ChassisWorks. I had one on my 69 Mustang for awhile. The geometry and turning radius were fine, but it uses a racing servo that works exactly as designed, but has a wide range of [mostly misunderstood] adjustment for effort and bias. Also, they use the rack housing as a stressed chassis component, which I struggle with a bit. IF one is ambitious enough to tune the servo for their favorite feel and bias, and IF you reinforce the front suspension to take the load off the rack housing, I think it would be great. Or you could put a box on it and be done. I have used racing racks in a couple cars now and am content to leave them for the real racers.