builing a new cage and sterring for my Nova.
11-07-2010, 04:41 PM
#11
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,137
Originally Posted by coolracing
I believe speedway sells the mustang II rack mounts you weld on your stock cross member. As far as bumpsteer it is very simple esecially being in a drag car due to the fact you dont have alot of travel and your not taking high speed turns on a rough track. I have setup lots of cars with mustang racks from street strip cars to late model stock cars and never had a problem actually it was easy as hell.
I seriously thought about this for mine. I decided not to at the time. If you don't get it right the bump steer issue can be a real problem so I'm told,.The only way I would do it is if you buy the flaming river bolt on rack and pinion kit. The reason being the bump steer issue. If you trust your skills to get it right then fabricating your own stuff would be cheaper.
The stock box on a NOVA is a real PITA with a BBC. I have to take my steering box completely off to get the header on and off.
I am going to get my car out this weekend if I have time I will take some pics of the cage work and back half for you if interested.
Originally Posted by Tod74
Originally Posted by chpseat987
So Iam not getting much response on the steering box, I really need some help and ideas here please. I have been told that thier is a mustand rack out there that will dang near bolt right up to my cross member. Has anyone donr this before and have any good do's and donts for me?
Thank you for your response on the cage. I have a very nice bender and plan to build it myself. I was again looking for just someone that has done it before and hopefully get some good tips and ideas.
Thank you for your response on the cage. I have a very nice bender and plan to build it myself. I was again looking for just someone that has done it before and hopefully get some good tips and ideas.
The stock box on a NOVA is a real PITA with a BBC. I have to take my steering box completely off to get the header on and off.
I am going to get my car out this weekend if I have time I will take some pics of the cage work and back half for you if interested.
11-07-2010, 05:24 PM
#12
Senior Member
EXPERT BUILDER
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Shepherdsville, KY
Posts: 313
Bump steer is critical. I just fixed a car for a guy that had big block installed in place a a small block. He said the car drove great before the engine swap and was almost impossible to drive after. I could see the toe change on this car as I raised it up and there had to be at least 3 inches of toe change through the travel in the front suspension. I found where the rack mounts had been cut off to lower the rack to clear the BB pan and the so-called chassis shop that did the swap had dropped the rack 2.75 inches without doing anything else to compensate for the change. I was able to raise the rack back up 1.25" and had to lower the tie rods at the spindles another inch but I eliminated the bump steer altogether. It is possible to get lucky and get the steering geometry close enough especially if there is very little front suspension travel. If you don't have the ability to or access to someone that knows how to set it up correctly then you will be better off with a kit that has been designed for your combination. 1/8" difference in the height of the rack & pinion can make a significant difference in bump steer.
11-07-2010, 05:52 PM
#13
Senior Member
MASTER BUILDER
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Yooper
Posts: 168
yes it is critical. I am not saying weld some mounts on a frame and its done because that is not how its done but if you have any common sense on how the geometry works on a front suspension its not bad at all....
Originally Posted by gearhead1011
Bump steer is critical. I just fixed a car for a guy that had big block installed in place a a small block. He said the car drove great before the engine swap and was almost impossible to drive after. I could see the toe change on this car as I raised it up and there had to be at least 3 inches of toe change through the travel in the front suspension. I found where the rack mounts had been cut off to lower the rack to clear the BB pan and the so-called chassis shop that did the swap had dropped the rack 2.75 inches without doing anything else to compensate for the change. I was able to raise the rack back up 1.25" and had to lower the tie rods at the spindles another inch but I eliminated the bump steer altogether. It is possible to get lucky and get the steering geometry close enough especially if there is very little front suspension travel. If you don't have the ability to or access to someone that knows how to set it up correctly then you will be better off with a kit that has been designed for your combination. 1/8" difference in the height of the rack & pinion can make a significant difference in bump steer.
12-29-2010, 06:13 PM
#14
Junior Member
SHOW GUEST
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Well, it's not a Nova but it does carry the same frame.
I got this rack from TRZ motors sports (who are wonderful to deal with) which I believe is like a mustang 2 rack.
The biggest pain in fabrication for this set up is getting those u joints in the right position for the steering.
U joints don't bend very far before they lock up......
I got this rack from TRZ motors sports (who are wonderful to deal with) which I believe is like a mustang 2 rack.
The biggest pain in fabrication for this set up is getting those u joints in the right position for the steering.
U joints don't bend very far before they lock up......
