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Is Go Kart steering possible


KamakSun

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Part of your problem is that you won't ever achieve better steering feel without giving something up in return. For instance, you can achieve optimal feel and directness of input by replacing your tie rod ends with spherical bearing rod ends (solid end links is what some people call them I think), but in return you feel EVERY bump, nook, cranny, and rock in the road. 

 

Rack and pinion set ups are similar.  While you're going to get a better steering feel, the amount of fab work and headache that goes along with it is sizable. Even with the crossmember kit mentioned earlier you'll run into problems, as it will limit you to front sump engine configurations.

Out of curiosity, why do you think heims/spherical bearings/rod ends are more harsh than tie rod ends?  Tie rods are a ball & socket, similar to rod ends.

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Out of curiosity, why do you think heims/spherical bearings/rod ends are more harsh than tie rod ends?  Tie rods are a ball & socket, similar to rod ends.

There are a couple reasons, actually.

 

First is that TRE's are spring loaded and greased. The combination of the spring and grease take up any slack or wear, to a point.

 

Second is that heims wear and become clunky.

 

Third is that the market is flooded with junk heim joints. I would bet 80% of the cars or trucks out there using heims are using the wrong ones or cheap ones, which again, lead to wear and clunking or even total failure.

 

When I use heims, I use them sparingly. I try to never use them on steering components, because of the above reason. When I am forced t use heims (usually due to space restraints), I try to use them only on one end of a control arm or panhard rod, with either a poly bushing or a poly bushed heim (Johnny Joint) on the other end.

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There are a couple reasons, actually.

 

First is that TRE's are spring loaded and greased. The combination of the spring and grease take up any slack or wear, to a point.

 

Second is that heims wear and become clunky.

 

Third is that the market is flooded with junk heim joints. I would bet 80% of the cars or trucks out there using heims are using the wrong ones or cheap ones, which again, lead to wear and clunking or even total failure.

 

When I use heims, I use them sparingly. I try to never use them on steering components, because of the above reason. When I am forced t use heims (usually due to space restraints), I try to use them only on one end of a control arm or panhard rod, with either a poly bushing or a poly bushed heim (Johnny Joint) on the other end.

 

Thanks, I didn't realize that TREs were loaded that way.

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Part of your problem is that you won't ever achieve better steering feel without giving something up in return. For instance, you can achieve optimal feel and directness of input by replacing your tie rod ends with spherical bearing rod ends (solid end links is what some people call them I think), but in return you feel EVERY bump, nook, cranny, and rock in the road. 

 

Rack and pinion set ups are similar.  While you're going to get a better steering feel, the amount of fab work and headache that goes along with it is sizable. Even with the crossmember kit mentioned earlier you'll run into problems, as it will limit you to front sump engine configurations.

 

 

Tie rods are swapped to heim joints by companies like T3 and others not for less deflection but so you can "adjust" out the bump steer.  People like shinny bits so I'm sure most cars don't even have them adjusted correctly.

 

 

In my experience with stock suspension bandaid to the max (steering box brace, heim, joints, etc) it doesn't even compare to having one of our rack conversion crossmembers in a 510.  I don't even say that in hopes to sell one, I say it because I daily drive and race my car and have driven ton's of 510's.  For 5 years I worked with a good buddy building nothing but 510's and I can say I've driven my share of 510's setup in different ways.  Steering boxes just equal so much less feedback.  

 

Why does everyone hate front sump?  In all my years I've only ever had one issue and it won't have mattered if it was front or rear sump.  Rear sump pans are a false sense of security!!  

 

I will agree it is a pain to install our crossmember if you don't like a little bit of fab work and some tinkering around.  Also the exhaust sucks to deal with on an L series.  But I avoid L's at all costs.   

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Tie rods are swapped to heim joints by companies like T3 and others not for less deflection but so you can "adjust" out the bump steer.  People like shinny bits so I'm sure most cars don't even have them adjusted correctly.

 

 

In my experience with stock suspension bandaid to the max (steering box brace, heim, joints, etc) it doesn't even compare to having one of our rack conversion crossmembers in a 510.  I don't even say that in hopes to sell one, I say it because I daily drive and race my car and have driven ton's of 510's.  For 5 years I worked with a good buddy building nothing but 510's and I can say I've driven my share of 510's setup in different ways.  Steering boxes just equal so much less feedback.  

 

Why does everyone hate front sump?  In all my years I've only ever had one issue and it won't have mattered if it was front or rear sump.  Rear sump pans are a false sense of security!!  

 

I will agree it is a pain to install our crossmember if you don't like a little bit of fab work and some tinkering around.  Also the exhaust sucks to deal with on an L series.  But I avoid L's at all costs.   

 

I have to agree with Icehouse here. Not because I have one of his rack and pinion kits in my car, but... Okay it's because I have one, but the feel is lightyears beyond the old box. Before converting it, I had full race Troy Ermish built front suspension with a steering brace. It was stiff but still had that sluggish vague spring like deflection at the wheel. At a stop you had to turn the wheel 15 degrees before enough tension loaded up in the steering to turn the tires. The R&P is super crisp and immediate with positive feedback. I've also been able to take some of the caster out of the coil overs to lighten up the steering without adding bump steer. That being said, with sticky 195 r15s it takes some serious upper body strength to throw the car around a track. Adding electric power assist is our next step towards go kart like steering and a more enjoyable driving experience.

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What I would have to say would fall on deft ears. 

 I read your original post and couldn't agree more.  I don't think I would want anything close to go kart steering on an actual car.  I would imagine it would be nearly impossible to control.

 

I have also heard that once you drive a real race kart, everything feels like slow motion once you get back in a car.

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 I read your original post and couldn't agree more.  I don't think I would want anything close to go kart steering on an actual car.  I would imagine it would be nearly impossible to control.

 

I have also heard that once you drive a real race kart, everything feels like slow motion once you get back in a car.

 

 

Simple solution.  Take the wife's car for a spin, after driving my wife's Leaf my 510 feels like a go-cart for sure! 

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I don't think KamakSun used "Go Kart Steering" as a literal statement, but a figurative one to imply tighter, crisper, quicker steering. At least that's the way I took it. I also think it's important to clarify that my car is not a daily driver.

 

We all know 510s not only have Macpherson strut front suspensions, but independent semi trailing arm trail through rear suspensions with open or LS differentials. Short of welding everything up solid and shedding 1000 off it, the 510 will never have anything approaching a kart. It appears Duke's car is as close to F1 like steering I've ever seen on a Dime. VERY IMPRESSIVE. I would imagine that's exactly what KamakSun is looking for. 

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 I don't think I would want anything close to go kart steering on an actual car.  I would imagine it would be nearly impossible to control.

 

 

I put a Z3 rack in an E36 because it was easy and cool to talk about. Made it worse for commuting.

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