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Which rack ? 3.5 or 2.5 turns
Bare - 14/10/11 at 02:47 AM

This is are Spitfire intended racks though.
Both are brand new reproductions and same priced (yes these are likely 'disposable' units )

It's to go onto a Lotus S3 'Clone' using Spitfire uprights & Caterham A arms.
Undecided as which version to buy, as I haven't driven a Spit for so long that I can't remember how it's steering felt.
Lotus 7 memories are fresher and it's standard steering seemed Fine... by memory.
The Quick rack appeals as a sporty' feature. But is it necessary (road use) on the other hand I don't want to have to spin the wheel to turn corners, nor face a 20 min workout when parking :-)

Although both versions are affordably priced, I'm not keen on buying both of them :-) to solve the indecision....any opinions /info on this?
TIA

sdh2903 - 14/10/11 at 04:36 AM

Might be worth sending a u2u to franky or rodgling, they are/were using spitfire racks on their GKD legends, I know for sure franky was using the quick rack.

I have gone for the quick rack for mine however I havent driven mine on the road yet.

gazza285 - 14/10/11 at 08:30 PM

I would go for the quick rack. 2.5 wouldn't feel that heavy in a light car, I had a 2.2 in my Mk1 Escort, that didn't feel that bad unless you were stationary.

britishtrident - 14/10/11 at 08:47 PM

The Elan +2 used the Alford and Alder upright fitted with Gt6/Vitesse stub axle and Herald rack --- I recall a lot of steering wheel turning on tight corners.

I wasn't aware that Lotus ever used the Spitfire and later Herald "Stanpart" upright which was cast with integral steering arms and calliper mounting , I was under the impression Lotus on all models used the puka Alford and Alder upright which has bolt on steering arms and brackets.



[Edited on 14/10/11 by britishtrident]

JoelP - 14/10/11 at 08:55 PM

quick rack for me too. If you should end up going sideways one day, you will be glad to be able to promptly point the wheels where you want. I drove a van with broken powersteering for a few months, and it wasnt that bad on the arms, so a light car will be no bother.

rodgling - 14/10/11 at 10:23 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
Might be worth sending a u2u to franky or rodgling, they are/were using spitfire racks on their GKD legends, I know for sure franky was using the quick rack.

I have gone for the quick rack for mine however I havent driven mine on the road yet.


I started out with a slow rack, then changed to the quick rack as the slow rack was ridiculous. The quick rack is still a tad on the slow side to be honest.

That said, I have a slow spitfire rack for sale at a bargain price if you want it ;-)

Bare - 15/10/11 at 03:17 AM

I have a refurbished triumph rack at the mo but it has an 8 tooth pinion and 4.5(?) turns lock to lock.
Pesky thing was mislabeled? I guess it must have been out of a Tr4 ,5, 6?
Manuals claim a Spit rack is 3.75 and a GT6 rack is 3.25 turns.
Odd... it would seem to me that those ratios are reversed given the Cast Iron Lump 6 cyl perched over the front suspension. Maybe it was to help the driver compensate for the crude tail happy handling ?

These new racks are 120 U$, so not overly pricey.

Seems the 2.5 may be the better choice after all..Thank you gentlemen .
Never did favour those Saucer sized steering wheels anyways :-)

Thank you for your Rack offer but shipping, to the left coast of Canada, could be a bit pricey as well.
Maybe all I would need would be the pinion and rack pieces only?

The 2 lotii I've owned both had the old upright with the 4 holes. I remember them as being a bit lighter/flimsier than the later stanpart ones as used by Cat and triumph.
Either way, tempest in a teapot stuff :-)



[Edited on 15/10/11 by Bare]

scootz - 15/10/11 at 08:49 AM

Quick rack... just cos I'm a lazy git though!