carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

I am wondering if there are multiple ways to alter the steering ratio? I would prefer a slightly lower ratio, something near 2 turns lock to lock. I have always admired the Evo's steering sensitivity, however, it is a bit twitchy for everyday use. The only way that I know to do this without replacing the rack is to weld in a gearset into the steering post. These units are availible on Jegs and Summit. I am wondering if there is something somewhat easier given the electronic steering on the RX8.

While I hate to have to say it, if you dont know what you are talking about, dont post. Also, your opinions on the stock ratio or how you think a quicker ratio would suck, are also not desired. Now if you have tracked a car with a quick ratio and wish to posit the negatives associated with it, please, by all means, do.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Your best bet would be to simply find a vehicle with a ratio you like and adapt it's rack.

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Is there any aspect of the electric boost that would interfere in the use of this?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Well, the power system uses a steering wheel position sensor that will probably freak the entire system out when it sees the ratio change in any manner, hence my suggestion to replace the rack completely with a conventional system.

I can't imagine the RX-8 with a faster ratio. I guess in Auto-X it might be useful, though the mod will put you in SM where you will need a LOT more than that to win.
On a road course, I never turn the wheel more than 180° at most, so increasing the ratio would probably be a distraction at best.

jasonrxeight

fast steering? just press your right foot harder to slide the back out.

REDRX3RX8

The 8 has been tested to death against other sports cars, and won like the 3rd best handling car for any price.

One of the best track cars is the Lotus Exige, and I hear it takes a lot of strength to steer.

I had a Dodge Stratus with front wheel drive that would be what you want for fast steering, and would probably be great for Auto-X, but I don't want steering that fast on a car that is occasionally driven over 100MPH.

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Unless the position sensor is both on the steering column and on the rack, I dont see how it could know there was anything different.

As for imagining the car with a faster ratio, it's ratio falls smack dab in the middle of the average of other sedans and "sport" cars at just over 16:1. This is almost certainly a compromise for easy straightline cruising for normal people. Compare that to the miata at 15:1, not twitchy, but definitely faster for a car that is might be considered for spec racing. It is interesting to compare the RX8 to the elise with a 2% quicker steering. It is a car that is tracked alot, but the ratio was specifically chosen to be forgiving. This has drawn complaints in the US, but if you go to the EU, where the population actually appreciates road racing, SURPRISE, the ratio is quicker. Now jumping to the Evo VIII at 13:1, yes, this starts to be a bit twitchy for everyday driving, but that ratio was a result of homologation. In a actual driving situation, I have found that level of quickness quite responsive and more natural.

So, yeah, I have no trouble imagining quicker steering.

uh, yeah.

Ya'll dont know how to read do you. I wasn't asking for your obviously completely unexperienced opinions. I don't care what you think, or what you have heard from your buddy. 16:1 isn't really required until speeds reach well over 150mph, a speed I am not likely to reach.

bse50

Adapting another steering rack is the only viable option imho.
A quicker steering wheel would be great while tracking and is a mod that i always thought of doing.
Some idiots in italy just cut shorter wheel links and adapted them. Same steering ratio, just a shorter steering radius lol

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Yeah. I don't think I have any easy options to quicken steering except to perhaps play with my alignment. Toe is such a pain to set though.

bse50

There are some companies producing electric power steering modules\systems but they are all pretty expensive. The cheap way would be to find a car with said system and the right steering ratio to start with and play dr. frankenstein, something i wouldn't do with steering parts...

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I completely agree, there is just no way I am going to "test" out a shadetree steering modification on this car. I am looking to see if there is anything a little more refined, but I doubt it.

bse50

Quaife makes some steering racks\ ring and pinions for other cars. You could contact them to see the viability of that solution. I would probably be in if the price is right.
http://www.woodwardsteering.com/ This is another expensive solution you might want to look into, still thousands of bucks for a proper conversion though. I don't even know how the car's pcm would react to this kind of mod since i'm not sure if the steering angle has any input on corrections.
Definitely a mod worth for the most hardcore track users only

Playing with your suspension set-up could help some.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

I completely agree with you here. In my 1958 I run a 14:1 in that vehicle. Our 16.4:1 is way to much. The corvette is at 14.6:1 which is a 200+ MPH car. This gives them 2.5 turns lock to lock. I would love to have a 2.5 lock to lock ratio on our car as well. Even down to a 2.2 which was what my mustang was set at. Its more than drivable once you have had the practice. The key is just like with any car you don't jump in and go 180, you practice until your safe at different speeds.

If you can come across a 2.5 solution for us that would be wonderful! Even if we have to throw our own gear set into the steering set up.

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

It would be great, but I dont see an easy solution to quickening the steering through altering the ratio. As you said, it is likely that changing out the rack is the only option.

I am going to play around with the toe this spring. I have tires to burn off so i will see what I can do.