moojy

Do most Impreza's have a 'standard' 15:1 steering ratio ?
What is the (dis)advantage of the Type C 13:1 option ?

MorayMackenzie

The disadvantage with the quick rack in a type C or some classic type R/RAs is that it makes all the other 15:1 equipped cars feel boring and slow in steering response.

MorayMackenzie

Of course, the STI 8 quick rack ratios are superior to the previous racks, such as fitted to the STI Version 4 Type 22B etc as has a quicker ratio. It doesn't matter how much of a difference there is, only that there is and therefore the one is superior to the other.

moojy

So if you were to fit a 13:1 ratio to a standard (non-STI) car would it benefit the car, or make it less stable to drive ?

MorayMackenzie

Prom my point of view, it will do both. You may not like a faster rack. It all depends on personal preference. I prefer quick racks to regular ones myself. I also prefer a car that reacts more quickly to my inputs, which could be saan as a less stable car.

Adam M

Where do you get your information that the new rack is actually higher geared than the old style racks?

as your description makes no reference to the actual gear ratio.

I presume you are basing it on the number of turns lock to lock, but did it occur to you that the newer cars may have further to travel lock to lock than the older cars? Possibly because they have a longer wheel base and therefore need a sharper turning circle to allow them to manouvre.

[Edited by Adam M - 8/28/2003 3:24:17 PM]

greasemonkey

Not really an issue in itself Adam. The wheelbase on the GD is only 5mm (0.19%) longer than the GC8.

Moojy - as Moray says it's all down to personal preference, and TBH, you quickly get used to the feel of the quicker rack, so after a while you forget about it. The only time you really notice is when you get back into a car with slower geared steering, and even then, after a few minutes you're used to it again...

Main reason these racks are on the car is IMO for Group N homologation purposes rather than them making the cars "better" for road use. Don't forget that Prodrive trialled the 13:1 rack on the P1, and decided that the car was "better" without it...

[Edited by greasemonkey - 8/28/2003 3:53:45 PM]

MorayMackenzie

Adam,
"I presume you are basing it on the number of turns lock to lock, but did it occur to you that the newer cars may have further to travel lock to lock than the older cars? Possibly because they have a longer wheel base and therefore need a sharper turning circle to allow them to manouvre."

If this were the case, then the newer rack would be even quicker than previously thought. If it requires less turns lock to lock and operates a larger steering lock, as you imply it might, then it will have an even more extreme ratio then classic type R's etc.

Adam M

doh



(greasemokey, I was only being difficult as moray is merely trying to point out that his steering rack is now faster than mine.)

moojy

Certainly my preference is to increase the aglity of the car, I'd prefer a tighter rack.

Just wondering if messing with a standard WRX in this way wrecks the excellent poise of a scooby, I assumed STI 'honed' the TypeC for the tighter rack.

I suppose changing the steering doesn't affect the warranty on a new MY03, or change the insurance drastically ?