HICAS Steering Rack DATABASE HERE! Your prayers have been answered!

[jdm_master_X]

I've noticed for awhile now that finding physical differences between the HICAS and NON HICAS front steering rack is pretty difficult until you install a HICAS rack and turn your wheels. The HICAS rack requires 2.6 turns lock to lock while the NORMAL rack requires 3.1 according to the FSM.

I however, sat down last night with the HICAS rack I purchased off a member here and decided to compare the two side by side in as many aspects as I could. This thread is to help you all determine that you really got a HICAS rack instead of being told that it was one. I couldn't take pictures, but I took the time to make illustrations of how to figure the differences.

**BEFORE BEGINNING THIS THREAD** I want you all to know this test was done with both steering racks on a worktable WITH tie rod assemblies removed.

The Steering Gear On this section of the steering rack you will have this part that connects to the steering shaft. On the top side of the steering gear assembly, the NON HICAS rack has 23 casted on, whereas the HICAS version has 25 casted instead.

Measured differences It is fairly common knowledge that the HICAS steering rack gives slightly better steering response compared to normal S13 steering racks. They both maintain the same steering radius, except the HICAS rack can complete turns lock to lock about half a turn faster than the normal rack.

Using a tape measure, torque angle gauge, and vice grips to turn the gear, your measurements begin at the tip of the actual rack at full lock to the base of the housing. Turn the gear with the vice grips at 360º and measure how much of the rack is exposed on the opposite side. BOTH STEERING RACKS AT FULL LOCK (both directions)= 6.0".

Heres a listing of measurements that I took to prove this point:

NORMAL360º OPPOSITE LOCK = 1.5"TOTAL OF DEGREES LOCK TO LOCK = 1200º

HICAS 360º OPPOSITE LOCK = 2.0"TOTAL OF DEGREES LOCK TO LOCK=1100º

These numbers are averages of testing and measuring five times or so, but are very comparible results should you attempt to measure. The test was done in the wee hours of the night, lack of sleep, and my general distaste towards mathematics.

Hopefully this thread will clear up any confusion and major concern regarding the purchase of any HICAS rack. I'm sure nobody here would pay $600+ for a new rack and try to get it cheaper and used whenever possible. However, what may happen is you find a HICAS car, buy the rack, and figure that it was a remanufatured rack and has the slower steering ratio. This will save you the trouble of buying and installing a part that is SOO rare.

Thanks for reading!

[simmode1]

Posts like this make me realize how much I don't know about 240's... So, if you have a Non-Hicas s13, you can put on this Hicas Steering Rack on and then what? You now have Hicas?

Sorry, but I are

Edit: Nevermind! I r stoopid!

It is fairly common knowledge that the HICAS steering rack gives slightly better steering response compared to normal S13 steering racks. They both maintain the same steering radius, except the HICAS rack can complete turns lock to lock about half a turn faster than the normal rack.

[Matej]

Bringing this thread back.

While researching differences between the racks I came across this thread.I looked at my normal rack, and instead of a 23 it has a 33 on it.OP, judging from your profile your car is a 1992. Mine is a 1993. So perhaps the first digit indicates the year, and you also happened to get a rack from another 1992?

I wonder if anyone else can confirm my theory.

[jdm_master_X]

I'm not too sure. I did pick up the rack off a 91 HICAS. However, I think it's difficult to say what racks belong on what year car because as old as these cars are, it's safe to assume the rack was replaced once during the lifespan of the vehicle.

If anyone however could decipher what the numbers mean, then that would be sweet.