Power rack and pinion for e-body • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **plum-crazy** » 05 Aug 2006 7:06

Hi guys.
I'm trying to make room for the new engine and headers and i think is a good choice change the original steering box to rack and pinion system.

I read about it on this article.

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/events ... a_13_mods/

What do you think about it?

by **Chuck_Key** » 05 Aug 2006 9:14

This seems like a really good idea. The only thing that lets my car down is its dodgy steering!

by **dave-r** » 05 Aug 2006 9:44

I would want to see one installed before making any comment. I would like to know how they avoid the stock k-frame and engine sump and yet still maintain the correct geometry.

If it does indeed work it would be a system many people would be interested in although I would only consider a manual version.

by **plum-crazy** » 05 Aug 2006 16:57

I'm still beginning to know about it but It seems interesting to install big headers in a big block using power steering.
If you know anything more about it let me know.
You can check www.magnumforceracing.com and see the complete suspension and steering conversion.
The price is moooooooore expensive!

by **dave-r** » 05 Aug 2006 18:56

Whatever you do don't use the "Magnumforce Tubular K-Member Suspension Conversion" as it uses the upper shock mount to take the full suspension loads - something it was not designed to do and it is not strong enough because of this.

A far better design is the "Alterktion" unit. But note the lack of a front sway bar.

https://www.reillymotorsports.com/store ... 255&page=1

by **plum-crazy** » 05 Aug 2006 19:54

Thanks Dave.
It's a super interesting kit.
You can purchase the 1.125"sway bar adding $249.
I don't understand the spring rate needed and Steering hookup arrangement :s008:

Maybe I could keep my rotors and calipers, only have 4000 km.

by **dave-r** » 06 Aug 2006 8:45

Personally I would do anything i could to keep the existing K-frame and suspension.

These kits do make it easier to fit headers (esp in big block A-Body cars) and OK they give you R&P steering which is a bonus.

But for the money i would rather just use the Mopar manual steering and headers that are designed to fit a stock Challenger. It is hard to beat the Mopar front torsion bar suspension.

If I was building a 440 or Hemi Engined Dodge Dart then I would use the Alterktion kit because of the total lack of room.

by **dave-r** » 06 Aug 2006 9:44

I asked around about the Unisteer R&P conversion.

Gavin said;
It got discussed on Moparts a few months ago, looks good but not cheap ($1100 for the kit with pump etc), and was still being developed - had only been tested on B-Body with stock exhaust, apparently no bump steer but headers might be a problem.

Steve said;
The rack gators look like they are going to be a problem with headers , or at least run to close and melt them

by **plum-crazy** » 06 Aug 2006 10:35

Thanks again for the pictures.
Anyway I think that headers don't go so closer than stock ones, but It can be wrapped with fiberglass belt.
I try to get information from unisteer and the others.
I was looking an hemi engine of a friend installed in a challenger and is not possible to fit headers without hit them due a steering box clearance.

by **dave-r** » 06 Aug 2006 20:42

plum-crazy wrote:I was looking an hemi engine of a friend installed in a challenger and is not possible to fit headers without hit them due a steering box clearance.

Even with manual steering?

by **plum-crazy** » 06 Aug 2006 22:24

No, no, it has power steering.

by **Ornamental** » 18 Aug 2006 13:01

dave-r wrote:Whatever you do don't use the "Magnumforce Tubular K-Member Suspension Conversion" as it uses the upper shock mount to take the full suspension loads - something it was not designed to do and it is not strong enough because of this.

A far better design is the "Alterktion" unit. But note the lack of a front sway bar.

https://www.reillymotorsports.com/store ... 255&page=1

Following the link you provided, i do note the $249,00 option of adding a complete sway bar. Would this greatly improve your opinion of Alterktion?

The reason i ask, is that i consider buying one, and i search the net for experiences and opinions about it before i eventually buy one.
This is for street use.

by **dave-r** » 18 Aug 2006 14:28

I personally think they are a waste of time on a B/E-body car. Certainly the price outweighs the advantages by a large margin.

The Alterktion crossmember was developed to make it much easier when building a big block A-body such as the Dart.
Headers have always been the main problem with this engine swap so the Alterktion kit is a Godsend to people wanting to do this.

If I had a Dart and wanted to fit a 440 or Hemi I would have no hesitation to buy the Alterktion crossmember.

The only advantage on a B/E-body is the addition of R&P steering.
However the advantage of R&P steering over stock manual steering is minimal and for the cost of the Alterktion conversion it is not worth it.

They circuit raced the AAR and T/A with MoPar manual steering so it can't be that bad for a street car can it?

Also remember that the stock MoPar torsion bar suspension is a very good (if not one of the best) suspension system. Changing to coil-overs is a step backwards in my opinion.

The crossmember kit may be less weight in total on the car but I doubt the unspring weight is better at all. Probably heavier. You would be better off fitting lighter wheels.

Headers are no problem on B/E-body cars either.

So on balance I think if you own a B or E-body car you would be better off spending that amount of cash on something more usable for the street such as low rear gears and a GV overdrive unit. Or maybe a ProCharger kit. :mrgreen:

by **Ornamental** » 18 Aug 2006 19:02

Thanks for your reply.

I will most certainly have your opinion in mind when i continue to search for peoples experiences with this kit.

by **dave-r** » 29 Aug 2006 20:50

Why not try these people?

They seem to know what they are doing.

http://www.xvmotorsports.com/

by **spitfire9137** » 04 Sep 2006 2:59

dave-r wrote:Why not try these people?

They seem to know what they are doing.

http://www.xvmotorsports.com/

Funny you should post that dave, there is a article in the new Mopar Action about these guys and their setup.

by **dave-r** » 04 Sep 2006 9:22

I have to say though. I think most of it is bull.

Like that bit added under the radiator. The K-frame does the same job.

The struts under the fenders. The factory fitted those anyway. They could maybe have a bit welded on to make them stiffer is all.

Coil springs. Get a life.

If you fit a poly bush kit, some HP 440/hemi springs, front/rear sway bars, good shocks, frame connectors and decent wheels and tyres you would have something just as good at a fraction of the cost.

by **72 Challenger (Hans)** » 14 Sep 2006 9:22

dave-r wrote:
plum-crazy wrote:I was looking an hemi engine of a friend installed in a challenger and is not possible to fit headers without hit them due a steering box clearance.

Even with manual steering?

I'll chime in on this one...

It's possible without to many problems. When I put in my Hemi last year I had power steering too but with 2.1/8" hooker supercomp headers it was no problem at all. I even put in the headers when the Hemi was already completely installed. Just jacked up the front of the challenger and I could slide the headers in. About a 30mins. job.

This year I ditched the power steering unit as it was not much fun driving it at 130mph so I went with the MP manual steering gear box. Way better already.

I could even get away with installing a big oil pump w/ adapters and dual external lines to the oil pan. This last part only needed some minor trimming of the crossmember. But with stock oiling it's an easy job.

Although I do plan on getting an alterkation some time...more room for the oil pan and everything...less weight (about 70-90lbs) at the front...