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Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 11 Feb 2012 10:45 pm
by Bodyman
I've heard of people using mk2 Escort quick racks, and using a 5 link setup from a mk2 escort on volvo 340s.
anyone shed any light as i've read they both require modification to work

Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 01:41 am
by L14MNP
Think the rack is fairly straightforward, needs modified mounting brackety block things. I'm interested to know about this too. As for the 4/5 link stuff, a 300 doesn't really need it imo. The De Dion setup works well, like primitive independent suspension. Escorts love them cos they originally rock a live axle lol. They do look awesome though, an will make it better, but by how much?
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 02:06 am
by Attack2001
Escort quick racks do fit, as liam has said, all it needs is some adaptor mounts and some rack extenders. You can 5 or 6 link the rear end as well. When you do this, the actual linkage set-up upgrades the handling an awful lot, and the big upgrade is the fact with the linkages you can then run coilovers on the rear, so then have free height adjustment at the rear, and also the poundage springs you want

The one thing you cant do is camber just yet, albeit they have 2degree's +/- half a degree standard, but an IRS set-up so you can adjust it as you wish would be nice

For more info on both the rack and 5/6link best talk to Nev at F1Moto, he's put this lot on about 2 or 3 cars now, and all i've heard is good things from doing the upgrade. And with the quick rack, the already pretty big lock on a volvo becomes the dogs bollucks as you can get from one side to the other in about a turn and a half depending on the ratio

Thomas...........
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 02:17 am
by L14MNP
Good info there Tom! You raise a very valid point about the adjustability you gain, but I wonder how many people are bothered about going that far? If I can get more info on the where's and why's of it then it's something I would probably do when I build my 16VT engine.
Definitley need a quick rack though, as you say, the lock is very good on them anyway, just needs less turns!
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 09:43 am
by mat_91
nev should sell them brackets and coloum adjuster to fit a quick rack into 340s i would buy one eventually
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 12:44 pm
by Chris_C
Attack2001 wrote:Escort quick racks do fit, as liam has said, all it needs is some adaptor mounts and some rack extenders.
I have a mk2 quick rack here... something I havn't tried yet is calculating the bump steer, nor working out why the 300 setup is as it is. Do you know how much research went into finding a rack that had the correct properties rather than just one that fitted the gap?
TBH, I should stop being a lazy Chris and check out the rack I have myself

Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 07:51 pm
by Attack2001
If you give Nev a call he'll explain to you the benefits of it all, he did explain to me all of it but i've forgotten quite a bit. He'll sell you the brackets i believe if you ask nicely, he is a business after all

With regards to whether he just had it lying around, i dont know. i doubt it as i've seen some of the custom work hes done and its pretty epic if i do say so myself. Thomas.........
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 10:36 pm
by L14MNP
Has he relocated the steering column in any of his cars do you know Thomas? I reckon I will give him a bell and see if he will supply spacers and rack extenders. Don't know what ratio rack to go for though.
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 10:40 pm
by Attack2001
L14MNP wrote:Has he relocated the steering column in any of his cars do you know Thomas? I reckon I will give him a bell and see if he will supply spacers and rack extenders. Don't know what ratio rack to go for though.
They only 'relocation' i know of, is he put 10mm spacers to lower the steering column down, as he has his buckets bolted directly to the floor (using spreader plates he's welded in) So the lower column puts the steering wheel in a better position. I understand volvo columns are off to one side aswell, i dont think he changed this, he only lowered it.

Thomas...........
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 12 Feb 2012 11:42 pm
by L14MNP
That they are! :/
When I tried having them right on the floor, it was too low for the pedals imo. Must be taller than me and/or running a bias pedal box? lol
Cheers mate.
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 13 Feb 2012 12:02 am
by Attack2001
Looks like your going to need to put in another joint to allow you to straighten that up? Nevs running a normal pedal box in his 340

Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 13 Feb 2012 12:05 am
by L14MNP
Attack2001 wrote:Looks like your going to need to put in another joint to allow you to straighten that up? Nevs running a normal pedal box in his 340

That's the plan. Don't know where to get one, if there's many different types etc though. Haven't checked yet lol.
The pedals mount/hinge high for having a seat on the floor imo, but he must be comfortable!
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 13 Feb 2012 12:12 am
by Attack2001
L14MNP wrote:Attack2001 wrote:Looks like your going to need to put in another joint to allow you to straighten that up? Nevs running a normal pedal box in his 340

That's the plan. Don't know where to get one, if there's many different types etc though. Haven't checked yet lol.
The pedals mount/hinge high for having a seat on the floor imo, but he must be comfortable!
There's a carbon foot plate on the floor underneath the pedals, and he wears boots all the time so doesnt have any problems lol
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 13 Feb 2012 12:21 am
by Attack2001
Here's the link to his speedhunters issue, got all the pics
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2011/10 ... volvo.aspx
Re: Steering Rack and 5 Link Setup.
Posted: 14 Feb 2012 04:52 am
by slim_jim
The 5 link completly transforms the car!!
People do 5/6 link conversions for the benefits of better handling, not the ability to slam the shit out of your car!!
Trust me, it is worth the pennys if you love your volvo that much!!
Looks epic, feels epic, goes epic, you laugh like a hyena when you push M3's around corners too...
Oh and the quick rack, thats Epic too...