THSCC Forums

Stock steering ratio is 16.5:1 for the Impreza.

There's a company that offers a 12.5:1 steering rack for my Impreza for $1300 (or something like that?) and there's a guy with an Impreza rally car who can adapt a 1.5:1 quickener to the Impreza steering column and sell it for $300. He's already done this to his rally car, and is planning to start making them for other folks.

What are the drawbacks of a steering quickener? All I've heard is that the steering wheel becomes somewhat harder to turn.

I'm pretty sure I heard one or more of our rally guys mention a steering quickener at some point during the rallyx, so maybe they can help me out?

Thanks,

Kevin

Matthew had a 1.3x quickener installed (I believe- it might have been 1.5x) on his GTI, and his words at the end of our 1st stage with it were, "wow, it's really hard work to turn the wheel now!". Of course rally stages tend to be a little more demanding physically than autoX or rallyX, but there probably isn't nearly as much wheel-turning, either. And I'm sure his comments were relative to what he was used to, not an absolute statement- the quickener certainly didn't seem to be any kind of disadvantage...

I would definitely ask him his opinion directly on it. You can email him at matthew@trirally.com, but he's out of the country until Jan 6th.

_________________
Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

I've never used one. Andrew Havas also ran with a quickener. I imagine that the theoretical difference is that with a quickener, you have two places for gear lash to produce slop, instead of only one. But because both of those two continue to use them, I don't think that issue is worth worrying about.

My hands were busier at the last autocross I went to than most rallies I comete in. (Notable exception: Rapidan! Phew!)

I've looked at some of the Sube quick-rack options too. And at that price, I filed it under "that would be fun to drive" but not "that would give me a competitive advantage at this point".

Would be fun though.

Anders

_________________
Lina Racing: As Seen On Radio

Yes, I'm just now catching up and reading this topic.

My experience at the rallyX when I ran the VW through the course was that I could barely get the freggin wheels turned the way I needed to go.

My quickener is a 1.5/1 deal and works great in rallies where, at speed we don't turn the wheel from lock to lock much and when ever I do we're moving along pretty good. Out in the ruts of the rallyX the steering pump wasn't able to keep up with my demands to get the wheels turned quickly at a slow speed. I can't confirm if my pump and 'goods' are in fully healthy shape.

So, consider,
-usually 2:1 and 1.5:1 reductions are available, I'd definitely recommend the 1.5:1 instead of the 2:1, it changes things a plenty.
-can the steering pump keep up?
-effort goes up some but it's fine as long as the above is sorted out
-it's really nice to keep my hands on 9/3 more of the time with the quickener, however since smaller movements make a bigger difference, when we're really haulin' tail and it gets really bumpy I sometimes can't help but make unwanted movements..... and those make a bigger difference with a quickener....(uh, that's probably not a concern in RallyX)

Since you've probably already done this Kevin, what's happening with it now?

Best, Matthew

I haven't done anything yet. Still in the thinking about it stage right now. Probably won't do it, since it's not legal for the STS car, and I'll be rallyxing the other one. Based on your input from the rallyx, I think I'll most likely just stick with the stock stuff.

Thanks!

Talking of steering - did anyone catch WRC New Zealand on Speed last night? Solberg lost his power steering about 8.5k before the end of one stage - he was exhausted. Sill managed to squeak into the finish See details here.

Simon

Yep, that was a close rally! I enjoyed watching them battling for the lead, each going fast as Hell, then screwing up in the same spot on that one stage, etc. Those camber changes looked like a lot of fun! Looks kinda like some paved roads I've driven pretty fast on in the NC mountains, but without the pavement - - I bet that would be fun (but not in MY car!)...

You think your steering is tough, drive a car without power steering and see how much more you'll be turning the wheel! Good luck, that's a chunk of change to be tossing out just to get faster hands

phil

My Corolla has ARMSTRONG power steering. (manual steering) the faster I go the easier it is to turn. Old fashiond rask and pinion, not as bad as the manual steering in my truck with the steering box type.

_________________
beware of EV powered Ford EXP's they are quiet and come for you when you least expect it... hide behind an aluminum light pole...... ya that will help