If you are one of the lucky one's out there- post the following:

Year/model/body style

Ratio of rack

Self install? Y/N

Problems/Issues?

Best story since installing the rack

Hey Killa,
I'm still in the wait mode. Tibor may be able to get a rack to me a bit early, but it ain't hopeful. A month from now I should be straight with lots of feedback. I guess I'll be the only one with a near-stock suspension and an 11.5:1 steering rack. I need a supple suspension for these city streets. B ythe way, Please consider posting a link to this threat in the brake and suspension forum. Might get a few extra hits.
Meanwhile I am envious of you (guys) for having the rack already. I know it has to be the most FUN mod to get besides a bit more power.

Year/model/body style: '02 WRX Sedan

Ratio of rack: 12.5:1 (2.4 turns lock to lock)

Self install? Y/N: N

Problems/Issues? None to date

Best story since installing the rack:

I'll have to come back to this one :)

- Paulie

Year/model/body style: 2002 WRX Sport Wagon

Ratio of rack: 11.5:1 (2 turns lock to lock)

Self install? Y/N You know it :p

Problems/Issues? Nary a one...

Best story since installing the rack: No real specifici story other than I can avoid road debris and other vehicles A LOT better than before I installed it!!! :disco:

Wow... only 2 people have this rack? I know dwx will post soon, but other than him, myself and now Paulie- I know of no one else with the Rev-Labs rack. Maybe it's not well known enough :confused:

The quick rack is over rated.:devil: ;)

Gary Sheehan has one on his touring car :)
Patrick Richard has one on his "street" car.

Mine:
1999 WRX RA
12.5:1 (they didn't have 11.5:1 back then)
No
Makes driving cars without one seem really strange
Best Story: Stringing together 3 long sharp angle drifts in the Ontario Winter Rally :D

I don't know how much quick steering racks normally cost, but that seems extremely overpriced. It's a popular item though, I'm sure somebody will come out with a different one that's more wallet friendly.

Originally posted by Poor boy/fast car
I don't know how much quick steering racks normally cost, but that seems extremely overpriced. It's a popular item though, I'm sure somebody will come out with a different one that's more wallet friendly.

Overpriced? What are you comparing this too? Try the Prodrive rack then, I am sure $6000 is well within your price range eh?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Originally posted by MustangKilla
Overpriced? What are you comparing this too? Try the Prodrive rack then, I am sure $6000 is well within your price range eh?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Try doing a search. There are kits for VW's that will reduce steering by 25%, and cost under $300.

Since you obviously know what your talking about, how about you tell me what makes a steering rack worth over $1000. Hopfully you can convince me, cause I really want one.

Originally posted by Poor boy/fast car
Try doing a search. There are kits for VW's that will reduce steering by 25%, and cost under $300.

Since you obviously know what your talking about, how about you tell me what makes a steering rack worth over $1000. Hopfully you can convince me, cause I really want one.


Tell ya what, go buy the VW kit... apparently that's the solution for you. Get your cousin with the cutting torch and stick welder and go to town... heck, you're coming out of the deal savin $700 bucks!!!! :rolleyes:

Originally posted by MustangKilla
Tell ya what, go buy the VW kit... apparently that's the solution for you. Get your cousin with the cutting torch and stick welder and go to town... heck, you're coming out of the deal savin $700 bucks!!!! :rolleyes:

That's not very convincing. Fan boy.

The Rev-Lab quick rack is more than just a kit to modifiy your steering. Maybe you should try searching to see what quick rack can do for you. There has been a lot of write ups done about them.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=524764

Most of our customers are in motor sports and prefer not to tell that the Rev-Lab Steering rack is in the car. The only thing I can tell you is that some of the best are in there. We have more than 50 less than 1000 racks out there all over the world.

Tibor
Rev-Lab Racing
Rev-Lab.com
tibor@wizo.net

Originally posted by apro1
Most of our customers are in motor sports and prefer not to tell that the Rev-Lab Steering rack is in the car. The only thing I can tell you is that some of the best are in there. We have more than 50 less than 1000 rack out there all over the world.

Tibor
Rev-Lab Racing
Rev-Lab.com
tibor@wizo.net

You tell'em Tibor!!!!!! I LOVE THIS THING!!!!!!

:disco:

You guys just wait until I get my rack! (Tibor, are ya listenin?). I am the average-joe driver among us. I don't intend to stiffen my suspension for motorsports competition, nor lower my car. Aside from a few stiffer bushings for the rack and swaybar plus end links, I intend to keep the suspension stock. BUT I do look forward to the quick rack adding the direct-ness to the steering input. Anyone who's driven a car with quicker, and more direct steering knows what I'm talking about. If you don't know, then test drive an EVO8. After that experience, going back to the steering in the WRX felt like stepping into "my father's Oldsmobile". As it is now, I feel like I give input, and wait for the car to respond. That wait is noticable for anyone who enjoys the driving experience.
Soon there will be four of us with the quick rack (and the wide grins to go with it!) :D
Darryl

Originally posted by Poor boy/fast car
Try doing a search. There are kits for VW's that will reduce steering by 25%, and cost under $300.

Since you obviously know what your talking about, how about you tell me what makes a steering rack worth over $1000. Hopfully you can convince me, cause I really want one.

1) a new rack from subaru is about $700
2) there is a lot of labor that goes into building one of these racks, and all the internals are replaced with cusom made parts.

This is not a steering reducer, it is an entire replacement steering rack with new, custom made gears. That all costs money, not to mention the R&D costs to create such a thing.

Killa - you know it's on my list for spring '05

Originally posted by Safir
1) a new rack from subaru is about $700
2) there is a lot of labor that goes into building one of these racks, and all the internals are replaced with cusom made parts.

This is not a steering reducer, it is an entire replacement steering rack with new, custom made gears. That all costs money, not to mention the R&D costs to create such a thing.

Killa - you know it's on my list for spring '05

Well put Joe! Tibor and the crew at Rev-Labs didn't just toss in some reduced gears to make this happen. R&D alone is VERY expensive, so the cost of the rack is well within reason as compared to the professional level racks such as the Prodrive. The rack on Tibor's own personal car cost over $10,000 (CAD)... yes, thats TEN THOUSAND; that’s the reason you don’t see so many people making this thing. Sure, Rev-Labs could make this rack cheaper too, but would you drive down the road comfortably knowing your rack was mass produced somewhere in China by someone making $1 an hour? I am sure that one day someone will copy the Rev-Labs rack and make it more affordable by making it of other cheaper materials and maybe compromising on the safety to cut the cost, but for now this is the best rack available for the money. Think about it, for what you spend, you are getting a highly professional, hand built product.
I forsee Rev-Labs Q-Rack becoming a highly sought aftermarket steering rack as more people are aware of what kind of a difference it truly makes for Impreza owners- not only for the track- it simply makes the driving experience, AN EXPERIENCE!!!!

Year/model/body style: 02 RS

Ratio of rack: super quick; 2 turns

Self install? Y/N: yes

Problems/Issues? none really, but want an even faster one

Best story since installing the rack: See my review in the parts review forum. For around $1000, you basically get a new car. And this new car, is way better than the piece of crap you've been driving up untill that point.

2002 WRX (Txs stage 3, RA gear set and 4.44, Sti suspension, etc)

12.5:1

installed by best mechanic at mod-friendly dealer

No problems whatsoever

Transforms the car. Steering is a joy. Combined with anti-lift kit, much greater steering sensitivity but not uncomforatble or twitchy. One of the best mods I've done.

Superg

Descending west on Loveland Pass, just past A-Basin, very slick roads and I have made a classic Monte Carlo "bad tire choice" (S-03s-- swapped out my snows when I got a flat last week.) Going only 20-25 mph. I round a bend and there is an 18 wheeler stopped in the oncoming lane and a Waste Management trash truck stopped in my lane. Hit the brakes, ZERO adhesion, car slews slightly left. New trajectory head-on to the 18 wheeler. Release brakes completely, dial in a bit (1 inch?) of steering and feel some grip through the steering wheel. Modulate steering input based on feel to avoid understeer. The nose gently drifts right, I miss the 18 wheeler by 3 feet, come to a stop in the ditch short of the garbage truck.

If I were driving a vehicle with low feedback steering, my WRX would have been totalled and my daughter and I would have been injured.

Now for the soapbox on BMW's "active steering." In an extreme situation like this, should the driver have to guess which ratio is operating?

Superg

Year/model/body style: 2002 USTCC WRX

Ratio of rack: 12.5:1

Self install? Y/N: Yes

Problems/Issues? None

Best story since installing the rack: Much less arm work to hustle the racecar around the track. Three race wins using the Rev-Lab steering rack.

http://www.teamsmr.com/images/Rev-Lab.jpg

Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com

Originally posted by superg
Descending west on Loveland Pass, just past A-Basin, very slick roads and I have made a classic Monte Carlo "bad tire choice" (S-03s-- swapped out my snows when I got a flat last week.) Going only 20-25 mph. I round a bend and there is an 18 wheeler stopped in the oncoming lane and a Waste Management trash truck stopped in my lane. Hit the brakes, ZERO adhesion, car slews slightly left. New trajectory head-on to the 18 wheeler. Release brakes completely, dial in a bit (1 inch?) of steering and feel some grip through the steering wheel. Modulate steering input based on feel to avoid understeer. The nose gently drifts right, I miss the 18 wheeler by 3 feet, come to a stop in the ditch short of the garbage truck.

If I were driving a vehicle with low feedback steering, my WRX would have been totalled and my daughter and I would have been injured.

Now for the soapbox on BMW's "active steering." In an extreme situation like this, should the driver have to guess which ratio is operating?

Superg

if for no other reason than faster emergency response time, this mod is worth the price. Superg's experience speaks volumes to that point. I know my reflexes are quicker than the stock steering on my car. I feel the lag in it every time I turn the wheel, then I have to compensate because most steering inputs are so inprecise. I look forward to my rack as much as I did to adding more power to the engine.
darryl

Try driving an 18-wheeler first and then jump into a WRX.. you'll know it's not the best driving experience to make 45 full turns just to get the tractor trailer into a parking spot.. a faster rack does help in driving, but it's really a matter of preference. No one ever said that an indycar has to have 1/2 turn lock to lock, but imagine IF an indycar did have 3 turns lock to lock.. I am sure the racer/driver would not like that going into a series of hairpin turns and chicanes.

Parallel parking, manuvering at slower speeds will require more steering input or more hand manuvers to get the car pointed in the right direction. If you can shave about 25% to 33% of the steering effort, would the car be more enjoyable to drive? That's just up to the owner of the car.

Now with all that said, I WANT MY RACK! :devil:

Keefe

Hmmm, still only 6 people with this bad boy? Man, I need to get the word out mo betta :p

you know I'm hooked up now!:D

02 WRX sedan
11.5:1 ratio
dealer installation
best story: The saga continues! Every day I marvel at how sweet the car is now. like many, I wonder why this steering was not OEM? With this rack the finer degree of control is a confidence booster for a driver like me (never met a turn or a curve I didn't like). I feel I can extract a bit more out of the suspension and do so with more confidence now. I've said this before in another thread: I feel more connected to the car with, and through the Rev-Lab 11.5:1 quick rack.

You who read this thread have got to investigate this mod!;) It does not matter if your car is stock, or modified, imho. I think every sensation of driving you experience now will be enhanced. That is the case for me.
darryl

Just PayPal'ed Rev-Lab today ... deciding which ratio to get ... for AutoX'ing.

How does the faster ratio compare to the Evo8's ratio ...

Originally posted by makofoto
Just PayPal'ed Rev-Lab today ... deciding which ratio to get ... for AutoX'ing.

How does the faster ratio compare to the Evo8's ratio ...
this rack is quicker than the 13:1 rack on the EVO. I test-drove one. you'll like the 11.5:1 rack. I emailed you too
Darryl

OMG ! Faster then the EVO8 steering rack ... hmm ... maybe the slower rack is "good enough!"

Mako,

You have e-mail :)

- Paulie

Originally posted by makofoto
OMG ! Faster then the EVO8 steering rack ... hmm ... maybe the slower rack is "good enough!"
You will never be satisfied if you stay with a slower rack when you know you can have better, if it's within your means. The EVO8's steering haunted me with it's superior input when compared to the stock REX. If you (really) enjoy driving like I do, the 11.5:1 rack will satisfy you in many little ways every time you experience it. EVO-shmeevo. I've got Quick! Even suffering mundane trafic issues is more tolerable whenever I have a chance to turn the wheel. I said it before, I'll say it again: wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!:lol:
Darryl

Year/model/body style '03 WRX Wagon

Ratio of rack 12.5:1

Self install? Y/N No, ScoobySpecialties in Monrovia, CA

Problems/Issues? NO PROBLEMS ... I've had it for something like 5 months now.

Best story since installing the rack: Everyone that trys it comes out of the car with a WOW! and a :)

I Autocross this car A LOT ... and let who ever wants to try it, at least drive around the paddock with it. The BEST MOD! I use a small MOMO Competition steering wheel with it. Since I don't have an air bag, I always use my Schroth harness.
http://images7.fotki.com/v114/photos/4/43793/1365837/MakoByAlbertNICE-vi.jpg

I vouch for faster steering racks too.

i went from driving a 1992 chevy corsica, to driving 1988 honda prelude.
The prelude was 2.7 turns lock to lock and was so nice. Literally, it just feels natural. In the snow i could go full left to full right and not change direction :)



So to those that have the racks: How is the feedback? can you feel grooves in the road or how hard your tires are working? will the tires track into ruts / uneven pavement slabs?

(yes i know the thread ended last month, but at least it didnt end in 2003 like the rest did)

Year/model/body style '02 WRX Wagon

Ratio of rack 11.5:1 (2-turn-LTL)

Self install? N local dealer

Problems/Issues? none so far (~4 mths) and knock on wood

Best story since installing the rack: Amazing in snow in my opinion with my setup ... definitely pre-warn people before letting them drive a car with this rack :devil:
(more detailed impressions: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=435792&highlight=rev-lab).

Well put Joe! Tibor and the crew at Rev-Labs didn't just toss in some reduced gears to make this happen. R&D alone is VERY expensive, so the cost of the rack is well within reason as compared to the professional level racks such as the Prodrive.

I'm not seeing how this is not simply a custom machined rack and pinion gearset with a different number of teeth. $1385 seems like a lot of money to pay for a new pinion gear and rack and have them swapped in the housing. Complete, new WRX and STi racks (tie rods and all) are $505 from 1stSurbaruParts.com to put things in perspective. I understand this is custom work which is not mass produced, but I have to imagine the gears are made in a gear factory (not Rev-Labs) where they have the high quality tooling, and so the gearset can't cost that much...

Colby,

Then source the parts and do it yourself. My guess is that the custom rack and pinion gear set is not cheap. Quality gears never are.

Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com

Economics are involved too - if no one else is stepping forward it means two things the seller has monopoly pricing power and the buyer accepts it or not and it also means there is something preventing someone else from pursuing that premium pricing (if indeed it even exists as claimed). In this case it is likely the small buying market. If the seller is happy selling to those where the mod is really matters to them (competitive uses or those who just have to have it) rather than those who just want it or it is a matter of convenience for then that is their right. Relative to other Subie mods and their place in the scheme of things the price seems very reasonable.

burnera ... road feel is terrific. The rack itself does not induce tramlining, ie. tire following grooves in the road. That depends more on tire choice. Tires with solid center ribs like Bridgestone S-03's tramline a lot ... very annoying on our L.A. freeways ... literally grabs the steering wheel and makes directional changes on it's own ... haven't experienced it with my other tires (Azenis's, T1's, Victoracers) that I've had since putting in the Rev-Lab.