Hippie Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Did different models of W-bodies have different steering ratios available ? Like would a Z-34 have quicker steering than a Euro for example ? And if so which ones would have the quickest ( fewest turns lock to lock) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
91GranSport Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 I think for Gen1s it would be either the Lumina Z34 or the Grand Prix GTP that has the quickest steering ratio. Also, having the FE3 option helps too, I think the FE3 includes a quicker steering ratio. At least on the Buick Regal it does, because I had a Buick Regal Custom with the FE1 and now I have a Buick Regal GranSport with the FE3 and the steering is much quicker, and heavier as well. I think they should be interchangable, but I'm not sure if you have to replace the steering box or the entire rack and pinion unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 FE3 and F41 have the quicker steering ratio, usually. If you want the quickest one ever for a w-body, 1989 Cutlass Internationals or Grand Prix SE's with FE3. The newer the cars are, the harder they are to find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Posted August 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 If you want the quickest one ever for a w-body Yes I do. The yard I've been getting most of my late model stuff from has a few GP SE's and I believe a cople are 89's. Where would I find an option code on one that has been pretty well stripped. I know my current GM's have a tag on the inside of the trunklid but I'm going to be looking mostly at cars that have already lost their trunk lids. OR are the parts still available new ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 you can get a reman. rack, pep boys lists both the quick rack and the slow rack, the quick one costs a little more. Have them look it up for a '89 GP SE but odds are they'll ask you if you want the cheaper one. I have to say that the quick rack is excellent, you get "road feel" with power assist in city driving. Otherwise the option code can sometimes be on the spare tire cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 The rack in my 90 TGP is MUCH quicker ratio than the one in my 89 Cutlass Int'l. However, the quicker ratio racks have a larger turning radius, so you're looking at a compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian89gp Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Shawn, quit being nice, the quick ratio racks have a fucking HUGE turning radius. Parking in parking spots with cars on each side is quite interesting. The quick ratio is 2.25 turns lock to lock I think, the lazy ratio gets to 3.5 turns or something close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Posted August 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 The rack in my 90 TGP is MUCH quicker ratio than the one in my 89 Cutlass Int'l. However, the quicker ratio racks have a larger turning radius, so you're looking at a compromise. Been there with my old Z-28, you also have to remember to manually cancel the turn signals on anything less than a sharp 90. Sacrifices MUST be made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 The rack in my 90 TGP is MUCH quicker ratio than the one in my 89 Cutlass Int'l. Then you don't have the OEM rack in your cutlass, unless yours was a fluke at the factory. My friend's '90 TGP has the same rack as my '89, the quickest one for w-bodies oddly enough the rack I bought for my '90 has a shitty radius too. Both the '89 and '90 is nearly impossible to just "dive" into a stall space. I'm not sure if there were 3 racks, but if there is, there's lazy and small radius (like my sis's '93), quicker and large radius (reman for the '90) or quickest and large radius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 Then you don't have the OEM rack in your cutlass, unless yours was a fluke at the factory. My friend's '90 TGP has the same rack as my '89, the quickest one for w-bodies No, it's definitely the OEM rack, I've had the car since 94 and my stepdad had it since 89. It's also the same rack that's in the '88 Int'l. It's not nearly as quick ratio as the rack in the TGP. It's much tighter than the rack in the 94, but takes more turns lock to lock than the TGP and has the smaller turning radius. I looked up Delco p/n's and it's definitely a different rack. I would say your friend's 90 TGP probably doesn't have the original rack. I'll see if I can dig up my chart of rack p/n's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 yes do that. Also you sure the steering isnt just heavier due to the tires? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 Whew! Had to dig up some 2yr old notes and put them into a database. It's late and I'm tired so I only entered CS and GP into the database and not Regal & Lumina. Steering Racks Car Year Suspe Engine GM Part # Delco Part # Notes CS 1988 FE1 ALL 26044830 36-9023 FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1989 FE1 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1st Design FE1 ALL 26046146 36-9025 2nd Design FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1990 FE1 ALL 26046146 36-9025 FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1991 FE1 ALL 26046146 36-9025 FE3 3.1T,3.4X 26044830 36-9023 1992 FE1 ALL 26046144 36-9024 FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1993 FE1 ALL 26046144 36-9024 FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1994 FE1 ALL 26046144 36-9024 FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1995 FE1 ALL 26046144 36-9024 FE3 3.1M 26047206 36-9042 NV7 FE3 3.4X 26042018 1996 FE1 ALL 26046144 36-9024 FE3 3.4X 26047207 36-9043 1997 FE3 3.1M 26055475 36-9163 NV7 FE3 3.4X,3.1M 26055468 36-9062 GP 1988 FE1 ALL 26024892 FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1989 FE1 ALL 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.1V 26044829 36-9020 Turbo FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 1st Design FE3 ALL 26046139 36-9021 2nd Design 1990 FE1 ALL 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.1V 26044829 36-9020 Turbo FE3 ALL 26021781 1st Design FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 2nd Design 1991 FE1 ALL 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.1T 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.4X 26046139 36-9021 FE3 ALL 26044830 36-9023 STE FE3 ALL 26046139 36-9021 Coupe, B4U? 1992 FE1 3.1T 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.1T 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.1T 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.4X 26046139 36-9021 1993 FE1 3.1T 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.1T 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.4X 26046139 36-9021 1994 FE1 3.1M 26046144 36-9024 FE3 3.1M 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.4X 26046139 36-9021 1995 FE1 3.1M 26046144 36-9024 FE3 3.1M 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.4X 26047207 36-9043 NV7 FE3 3.4X 26042018 FE3 3.4X 26046139 36-9021 1996 FE1 3.1M 26046144 36-9024 FE3 3.1M 26044830 36-9023 FE3 3.4X 26047207 36-9043 NV7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 according to that the FE1 and FE3 got the same rack in '89, which is full'a shit. Maybe you had to type in Cutlass Supreme Intl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 according to that the FE1 and FE3 got the same rack in '89, which is full'a shit. Maybe you had to type in Cutlass Supreme Intl? Nope, these are GM parts catalogs on microfiche. Maybe your 89 has a replacement rack? I think the parts catalog is accurate. Our 88 and 89 Int'ls definitely do NOT have a quick ratio rack. FE1 and FE3 only got the same rack in 88 and early 89, I think they ended up putting a slower, looser rack in the FE1's. The 89 is definitely as tight as the TGP (in terms of steering effort), but I equate that to variations in the PS pump. The 88 and 94 seem to have the same ratio as the 89, but a little more power assist in the 88 and a ton more power assist in the 94. I don't think it's tires causing it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaPaPooh Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 so if i go to the bone yard to get a pump i have to get one out of a fe3? susp. car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 No, you can use any pump that fits on your engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaPaPooh Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 ok thanks shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 according to that the FE1 and FE3 got the same rack in '89, which is full'a shit. Maybe you had to type in Cutlass Supreme Intl? Nope, these are GM parts catalogs on microfiche. Maybe your 89 has a replacement rack? I think the parts catalog is accurate. Our 88 and 89 Int'ls definitely do NOT have a quick ratio rack. FE1 and FE3 only got the same rack in 88 and early 89, I think they ended up putting a slower, looser rack in the FE1's. The 89 is definitely as tight as the TGP (in terms of steering effort), but I equate that to variations in the PS pump. The 88 and 94 seem to have the same ratio as the 89, but a little more power assist in the 88 and a ton more power assist in the 94. I don't think it's tires causing it either. I don't know if it's been replaced, at least I dont have a service record for it, but the rack in my '89 has the same ratio as my friend's old '89 GPSE and which is NOT the same as the many FE1 cars floating around that I've driven at one point or another. Guess I'll just look under the car today for part #'s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 An '89 Cutty with FE3 should have the same rack as an early 89 GPSE. Later 89 GPSE's got a different rack. I could be wrong, but my guess is that on W-bodies, the lower the AC Delco number (i.e. 36-9023 vs. 36-9021) means the quicker the ratio. The 9021 rack was used on 91-94 Lumina Z34's and it looks like it was used on the early GP's w/B4U, so my guess is it's quicker ratio than anything that ever came in a Cutty. My parts catalog doesn't list that rack as EVER having been used in a Cutty. 36-9020 is listed as having been used in the Turbo, so that makes me think the TGP's may have come with a special rack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 Ah, here's some more info... I went poking around acdelco.com and used their Vehicle List by Part # feature. Their list isn't entirely accurate since even if it lists Z34 or GTP, they still list the FE1 rack as a possibility. However, it's at least useful to see that Cutlass Supreme was NEVER available with the quick ratio rack that came in the Z34's and GTP. The quick ratio rack never came on the CS, ever. 36-9021 is the quickest ratio rack still available, and they now list the TGP as using that rack too (probably discontinued the 9020). 36-9023 is the standard FE3 rack used in higher-end CS and also early FE1 Cutty's. Also used in just about every other car. 36-9024 is the slow ratio rack used in most FE1's. 36-9025 is the base model rack used only on the cheapies with 14" steel wheels. 36-9021 is the one to get if you want quick ratio and don't mind a larger turning radius. 36-9023 is the best compromise. 36-9024 and 9025 are for grandma's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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