Steering rack ratios?

[PUN]

Looking at steering racks and I noticed some are 20:1 or 15:1. Whats the big difference as far as a street car is concerned? Would a 15:1 be better for a lowered car?

[Wayne's 88 GT]

I think the diff rack ratios are 4 cyl and 8 cyl........with the 15 to 1 being for a v8 but I could be wrong

[Notch93]

There will be a distinction between 20:1 and 15:1 steering ratios. The 15:1 is what comes stock in 87-93 V8 cars and is what you want to stay with. The 20:1 ratio requires less effort to turn but requires more turns of the steering wheel to turn the two front wheels a set amount compared to the 15:1 ratio rack. Some part stores list "sport steering" as a rack option which simply refers to a 15:1 ratio rack and "non-sport steering" as the 20:1 ratio rack. The difference between 20:1 and 15:1 is significant and means the difference between being able to simply turn the wheel to drive into a parking space or into a side street, and having to go hand-over-hand to do so. Also, it should be noted that lock-to-lock is not necessarily what determines steering ratio.

[PUN]

There will be a distinction between 20:1 and 15:1 steering ratios. The 15:1 is what comes stock in 87-93 V8 cars and is what you want to stay with. The 20:1 ratio requires less effort to turn but requires more turns of the steering wheel to turn the two front wheels a set amount compared to the 15:1 ratio rack. Some part stores list "sport steering" as a rack option which simply refers to a 15:1 ratio rack and "non-sport steering" as the 20:1 ratio rack. The difference between 20:1 and 15:1 is significant and means the difference between being able to simply turn the wheel to drive into a parking space or into a side street, and having to go hand-over-hand to do so. Also, it should be noted that lock-to-lock is not necessarily what determines steering ratio.

Great info thanks!

[Sphinxmunkey]

Very great info, sounds like I'm good to go with the 15:1 for no power steering :angry: lol

[86gtstang]

Great info Eric

[Notthead]

I changed the rack out of my 88GT with the one Sam and I took out of his 92LX 4cyl and I noticed that the steering was more responsive and a little tighter. What's up with that? Is there a stamp or marking on the rack that would tell me the difference in the ratio?