427V8

Here he is, The grandfather of the Rack and pinion!


I've been looking for historical information on the start of the rack and pinion for the C3. I even went as far as subscribing to Vettenet so I could search the archives :crazy:

I'm still looking for any old pictures / drawings to put squarely in the public domain. So please donate anything you have.


Idar Andorsen!
:party:


And his website
http://www.enriva.com/idara/

And an old Vettenett email to remember the beginning of it all. There is Gene, in the thick of it!

********************
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 22:39:30 +0200
removed
Subject: SV: [VN] SV: [VN] {C3} Better power steering control?
Comments: To: mrvette <mrvette@removed>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Gene.
I could send you some scanned pictures and other information about the
rack-and pinion power steering, but I need one or two days to do the
scanning job.

Idar.
**************************************** *******************************
Web site: <A HREF="http://www.enriva.com/idara" TARGET="_blank">http://www.enriva.com/idara</A>
E-mail: idara@removed
**************************************** *******************************


-----Opprinnelig melding-----
Fra: mrvette [mailto:mrvette@removed]
Sendt: 11. juni 2000 19:40
Til: VETTES@removed
Emne: Re: [VN] SV: [VN] {C3} Better power steering control?


Idar, please tell us in as much detail what you did, about the fabrication
required, and the rack position and steering wheel hookup...

GENE

Idar Andorsen wrote:
>
> One of my friends told me the C2/C3 power steering is an Armstrong power
> steering systems for tractors, made in the fifties. I don´t know if this
is
> correct, but driving a C3 Corvette on a road with a worn surface could be
a
> terrible experience. Even on roads in perfect condition, the C3 steering
do
> not gives the road contact you expect in a sports car.
>
> So I decided to do something with this problem, and last winter I removed
> all the steering parts in my C3, and purchased a Saginav Rack-and pinion
> power steering.
> My total cost for all the parts are about $ 450, but I also have to tell
you
> this is not a bolt on operation.
> But I can tell you this, it´s worth every dollar and every minute I spend
in
> this process.
>
> Idar Andorsen
> Norway




[Modified by 427V8, 9:34 PM 3/12/2004]

427V8

here is the first Bumpsteer topic.

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Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 00:52:55 -0500
Reply-To: Markus Strobl <mstroblremoved>
Sender: VETTES List <VETTES@removed>
From: Markus Strobl <mstrobl@removed>
Subject: Re: C3 Rack & Pinion conversion
Content-type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> The rack set up looks very similar to what's on my 1988 Chevy Beretta.

Interesting. Thanks Hib. I'll have to check out if it might be the same unit.

> Just curious---has anyone checked the bump steer curve on the conversion
> pictured on this web page?

This is something I've been thinking of also. The Norwegian fellows haven't
had any problems, but then I don't know if any of them race their cars. I'm
thinking the center mouting point could be replaced by a wide bracket that
bolts to the R&P, and then the linkage would bolt to the bracket. This way the
bump steer could be adjusted to whatever is suitable.

Hib, I assume a optimal bump steer curve is no bumpsteer at all, i.e. as the
wheel travels up and down through its suspension movement, there is no toe
change. Is this correct?

Markus

427V8

And now The origional Pictures....

:cheers:













Thse pictures were found on the website of Yoshi and his fablous car Gorgeous George :cheers:




[Modified by 427V8, 9:32 PM 3/12/2004]

mrvette

YES, 427V8, I remember many of those pix, and many long winded emails and discussion with Idar about that conversion......and I have some pix of his drawings with Saab part numbers.....european part numbers that do not cross over to any american part numbers in any sequence I could find....
I knew it was supposed to be a Saab 900 (9000)?? rack, but knew nothing more than that.....so I finally went about doing my own thing a little over 2 years ago....during an extensive overhaul of many other things/issues with the car....things like wiring, floorboards, engine, cooling, suspension, brakes....
it was down for well over 6 months on stands...and while I was at it, I did a rack conversion....that was a mess, as the headers I had on the car just would NOT work with any steering input I tried....so I ditched them...
and found these I have now....

one of the more interesting design tasks I ever did....
I notice in retrospect that Idar used the 'Grand Am' tie rods with vette ends on them....some sort of adaption....

I found the Vettenet site about 3 months after getting 'on the air' back around '95 or so....

BTW, I am the first mrvette to use the handle, as I was asked by someone relatively recently...I copied an old friend who used mrGTO as his handle on the 'net......

GENE

427V8

I am actually suprised to see that Vettenet is still active. I haven't heard much about it. Cool though

mrvette

Yeh, vettenet is kinda of dead, as most hobbiest groups have found other sites/venues to communicate on....if they have a large enough numbers that is.....

I suppose the only thing left of UUnet is the **** sites....

GENE