[JC]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

The Evo doesn't suffer (as much) from the ills of McStrut suspension compromises, largely because the steering rack is in a dramatically different place than on a Suby. Apples and Oranges. If you had an STi ratio steering rack, your car would still "feel" better on turn-in.

That doesn't really answer my question about how it will make an STi feel worse.

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78804

This thing is absolutely amazing. It's incredible how much of a difference this steering rack makes over stock. I finally feel that what happens to the steering wheel translates into what happens on the road.

It's tight and heavy, steering response is instant and not a lot is required for something to happen.

It's a very confidence inspiring feel now. Before I felt that the steering was too light and pretty vague in certain areas. That and the dead play when the wheel was dead center drove me crazy. You'd turn the wheel an inch and nothing would happen, then a bit more and all of a sudden the wheels would turn. Obviously you get used to it, but this is just sooooooo much better.

As soon as I get to Andrewtech, Andrew asks me where I got the rack because all the guys in the shop want one! At this point I knew it was going to be a drastic change. As I got in the car to leave, it immediately felt different, mostly because I was backing out of a parking spot and only turned the wheel one full turn before it was at full lock At slow parking lot speeds, the steering felt heavier and more direct than stock, but not too heavy by any means. Then I got out onto the open road...

Luckily my drive to work today included some twisties as well as straight highway driving. In the twisties, the car is just amazing. It simply goes where you point it, no dead spot in the center, no sawing at the wheel, just direct. The weighting is perfect, heavier than stock but purposeful. Almost, dare I say, Porsche-like. During lane changes, etc. the car is NOT at all twitchy or temperamental. It's not a "sneeze and change lanes" type of deal, I can drive casually on the highway with one hand on the wheel no problem. The on-center feel is very solid, but instead of being able to turn the wheel a few degrees before you get any feedback, it's instant. Overall, I couldn't be happier with this mod. I'm really glad I decided to go with the 11.5:1, and I would venture to say this is one of my favorite mods to date.

I had a chance to drive an Evo 9 today with Swift springs and although the Evo has a 13:1 ratio, the steering felt NUMB compared to my STi with the 11.5:1. Granted my STi is more heavily modded and has more aggressive alignment numbers, but based on steering feel and feedback alone, the Evo was no match. A stock STi is even further off, and a stock WRX is not even in the same time zone. Just thought I would add this, since it is sort of inevitable that an Evo will be brought into a conversation about steering ratios.

About the rack, I just love it!! I don't have to shuffle my hands anymore on most turns, and the car is so much more responsive to steering inputs due to the quicker ratio(mine is 11.5:1). And the steering feel seems to be greatly improved as well. If you don't have it, you should get one! I can't wait to go out to the track and/or auto-X now.