Can anybody tell me if the steering racks on the 88-91 CRX Si, DX, and HF are interchangeable? I heard that the HF rack will give you quicker steering. I did a search but can't find the info.

 

the HF rack is the same as the DX rack. the Si rack is different, has a non linear rate to it. most sedans have power, and those have a different rate too. the Si and DX/HF are interchangeable as a complete unit. you need the crossmember in order to fit a PS rack in a non PS chassis.


quiafe offers a quicker steering rack, but youll need a dx/hf rack for it to fit. dont try using an Si rack.

 

yeah i can back that up, i just put an STD rack in my Si.

 

just to be clear, civic STD is the same as DX and HF also.

 

Thanks guys, thats just what I need to know. You guys are the best

 

the STD/DX/HF rack has 18.6:1 ratio. the variable Si rack has 19.8(18-20.4):1.

i think that means its nominally 19.8:1 but varies from (18-20.4):1

interestingly, my 88 CRX helms manual only states the 18.6:1 ratio. while the above info is quoted from my 91 helms. so i guess 88 Si's didnt get the variable ratio. (ill have to confirm that somehow. SLhonda parts shows the 88 si having the same 90 si steering rack part number...)

turn lock to lock is listed 3.8 DX and 4.1 Si.

also the power rack ratio is 17.7:1 with 3.65 lock to lock.

 

gravedigging this thread for more info.

eventho the 88 manual doesnt state a variable rack for the Si, the 88 Si rack is still variable like other years. just at typo i suppose.

i have been misled before and i want to correct myself. a LOWER steering ratio is a FASTER ratio. and proportional to lock to lock. i thought it was the opposite before.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering2.htm

so that does make the power steering rack the "fastest" OEM rack. with the DX being second fastest, and maybe less hassle overall. you can use the power steering rack, but you need the subframe it came from. and either add all the PS components, or plug the lines for a non power rack.

 

so the dx rack is faster then the hf rack i got confused lol

 

no the DX and HF racks are the same, tyson posted that a few posts up.

good info tyson

 

The power rack + x-member also weighs about 2x what the manual stuff does.

 

I will say that on my uk car, the power rack and subframe are a lot bigger and heavier - dont know about twice the weight though !

 

hey got a quick question guys, can a non-power steering rack be converted to power? consedering doing this if its possible. guess thats the only that sucks bout having a si is the rack ratios besides being the heaviest chassis :/ and how much more does the sedan power X member and rack weight compared to the SI manuel x member and rack? any info would be great

 

You don't have to be such a brown nose Tony, they are only helping. lol

 

you just need to swap subframe and rack to interchange power to manual steering.

 

okay makes sense, im guessing the power rack off a sedan is longer in some way and the bolts are located in different positions? so thats why the subframe needs to be changed as well. well would swapping out my si rack to a hf, std or dx really increase the steering "quickness" or speed? and what you mean when you say the si is variable? thanks bro

 

keep your si rack.

if you REALLY want a quicker rack that will make any difference, buy a quaife rack.

 

that wont make a difference your saying? yeah I would condider that quaife rack. ive looked it up. does that rack bar go into the stock rack housing itself? thanks for the info

 

quiafe rack fits into the DX/HF housing. not the si. it replaces the rack and pinion inside the housing. the housings are different between Si and DX and the quaife is made to fit the DX.

these questions are just repeating information you probably already read....

 

ok then thanks for the info appreciate it. guess ill just go looking for a dx chassis at the junkyards

 

i need a manual rack for my 89 crx si

can i get one from an Ef?

 

no. the EF is right hand drive... u need to get one off an 88-91 civic/crx dx/hf/si

 

are you seriously making a distinguishment between EF and ED, JDM vs US, RHD and LHD?

lame. we all know what EF means here, its just 88-91 civic/crx.

what do you need a rack for? replacement? civic and crx Si are the same. there are no "rebuilt" off the shelf manual racks. you can rebuild it yourself for cheap parts and little more labor than taking the rack out anyway.

 

Noob question. Is the turning radius the same for all racks at full lock? TIA

 

basically, yes. its not about the ratio at full lock. its more about the chassis. i expect there to be a difference between crx and civic due to wheelbase, but this is not about the steering rack.

 

No you do not. You can use the Power Steering Rear Sub frame with the Manual Rack and Pinion. All you need to do is use steel or (if you want to be ghetto and cheap) the stock rubber insert from the Power Steering Rack to make the Manual Rack be held in properly.

You can call B/S all you want, but I have done this with much success dozens of times. My Daily Driver for work is running that exact setup right now for about 50,000 miles now. No issues have ever been had so far.

Also, just to clarify, you can NOT use a Manual Sub frame with a Power Steering Rack. You can ONLY use a Power Steering Sub frame with a Manual Rack…