I also ran a de-powered rack with the lines looped for a while - it was fine but a but more muscular in the pits. I did switch to a manual rack.

That's good info, I always assumed the PS rack without power would be much harder to turn, even on track. I think I ran mine de-powered for a while but that was a long time ago and I don't remember.

Do you guys take the PS rack apart and fill it with grease? I've heard you should do that if using a PS rack as manual.

Anyone know the difference in weight just for reference?

My little scale only goes up to 12 lbs so I couldn't weigh the racks. My best guess would be 6-8 lbs.

I just filled it with as much fluid as it would hold and then looped the lines. I'd guess filling with grease would be a better solution but more work.

Sterling Doc wrote:


I agree with Big Dog and Eric. However I choose to run a manual rack. I have run all 3 configurations Power, Depowered and Manual. My preference is for manual, but to be honest it comes down to what you like.

I love the clean simplicty of manual rack. Less crap under the car and less stuff to leak.

One important note is that late offset cars must use hard to obtain longer manual steering tie rods. For some reason the thread on the tie rods and different and the manual ones doe not interchange with power ones. The later offset cars have longer tie-rods. So you must get the special turbo cup tie rods as no cars were sold in the USA with late offset manual steering. It makes it more expensive and is one reason alot of late offset guys use the rack depowered.

Hi All:

I'm new to 944 and doing a build. I have a 85.5 and about to convert to a manual rack. I do have the manual rack itself and that rack is from a 83 car. I'm confused as to which tie rod end or tie rod assembly I need for my 85.5.

If anyone can tell me, that would be great.

Thank you.