BRP rack&pinion kit for 1st gen ? Opinions? - Lateral-g Forums

Bowtieracing · #1 12-15-2006, 11:54 AM

Just saw this first time. Looks really smart installation and away from headers / oil pan.

What do you think ? Better or worse than unisteer ? Anybody have one ? Pros and cons ?

http://www.brphotrods.com/

Mkelcy · #2 12-15-2006, 01:37 PM

I haven't seen any reviews of how it actually performs. They do include steering arms, so hopefully they've considered things like bump steer.

The sway bar mounting is not pretty. If you use the BRP kit you might want to se if a splined sway bar and arms from circle track/stock car sources would allow you to mount the sway bar in front of the rack.

Bowtieracing · #3 12-15-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mkelcy

I haven't seen any reviews of how it actually performs. They do include steering arms, so hopefully they've considered things like bump steer.

The sway bar mounting is not pretty. If you use the BRP kit you might want to se if a splined sway bar and arms from circle track/stock car sources would allow you to mount the sway bar in front of the rack.

Thanks!!! I didnt even think about the sway bar... Could that be the reason nobody seems ti have it here ? ?

Bowtieracing · #4 12-18-2006, 02:39 PM

Is this kit really totally unknown among forum members?!?!?!?

Except for Mkelcy

jsconiers · #5 12-18-2006, 05:48 PM

I purchased the kit. I bought it because I know of some one that has the kit. My kit was completely done by BRP and came assembled. They took a stock sub-frame sand blasted it, jig re-in forced all welds, put in tunnel tub for steering shaft, rack tabs, motor mounts, cross member, sway bar brackets, PPG DP epoxy primer and GM black or what ever color you want. I bought their bracket for the ls1 f-body brakes and mailed them my own ls1 brakes, original hubs and spindles, plus new tubular upper and lower control arms, and qa1 coil overs. They assembled and shipped out to me.

The only complaint, and this is not my complaint, but I was told the cross member for the T56 could have been done better. They were comparing it with a ATS cross member I believe. Again, it didn't bother me because it worked.

It saved me a lot of time and effort. Price was decent for the work. I cannot give you performance info because I haven't "run" **my** car. I can tell you that the car that this was on when I made my purchase drove very well and I thought he had a "real" after market sub frame but he didn't. He's a member on this forum so I hope he sees the post. For what it's worth I chose it over Wayne Dues c4 setup (I was going with originally).

Now that I'm coming to near the end of my project I can say that I wouldn't have went with anything else. I would have been tempted by Detroit Speeds new sub frame (or Waynes c5) but it would have been way more costly. If you have specific questions I could answer them. I have before and after pictures BRP supplied me with so I could document the build.

Bowtieracing · #6 12-19-2006, 12:34 PM

Great news!! Thank you for your reply. This answered allmost all my questions. Only thing wich i still liked to know is does it have bumbsteer. Have you tested with out spring at all ?

HotRod68Camaro · #7 12-19-2006, 02:09 PM

I run it. It's ok, i did it myself and following the instructions there was tons of bind in the wheel. I had to cut it out and install it from scratch. It drives well and feels good. When the motor is of and the power steering pump, it seems like a major PITA to turn the wheel. the t56 crossmember isnt the greatest, its a little tricky to install it while the whole vehicle is together but not bad enough to where i regret it. I think it was worth the price but if i could do it again and i had the money i would have just gone with an aftermarket subframe. When i did it i was one of the first LS1 1st gens and i could only choose between BRP and 1 other company for mounts.

Bowtieracing · #8 12-19-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRod68Camaro

I run it. It's ok, i did it myself and following the instructions there was tons of bind in the wheel. I had to cut it out and install it from scratch..

Thank you for your reply!! I am not sure what you mean by "tons of bind in the wheel" ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRod68Camaro

It drives well and feels good. When the motor is of and the power steering pump, it seems like a major PITA to turn the wheel. ..

I guess its same in all power steering systems?? They are not easy at all to turn when engine is not running.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRod68Camaro

the t56 crossmember isnt the greatest, its a little tricky to install it while the whole vehicle is together but not bad enough to where i regret it...

This is not a problem at all. I am planning of ATS T56 kit. So i am looking the rack and pinion kit only.

Thanks again!!

HotRod68Camaro · #9 12-19-2006, 02:52 PM

there was tons of bind in the steering wheel, it would turn 1/4 at a time instead of in a smooth circle. as far as w/o power steering, it seems alot worse than other cars i have driven w/o power steering.