Upgrading LT1 to LS1 brakes, will LS1 rack/pinion work on my LT1 car?

350350
08-20-2007, 02:59 AM
I know most of the quirks of upgrading to LS1 brakes, but I recently wrecked my car and am going to have to replace the rack and pinion, the driver's side upper and lower control arms, putting LS1 spindles on while I'm replacing one side anyway, and I've located a cheap low mileage LS1 car rack. I know the LS1 spindles work on an LT1 car with the stock LT1 car's rack.

1) Is there any difference between an LT1 car rack and an LS1 car rack?
2) If so, what are the differences?
3) Can the LS1 rack be made to work on an LT1 car or should I just keep shopping for an LT1 rack?

Thanks in advance for your help. Insurance adjuster is here sometime today so we'll be going over it with a microscope to see if there's more damage I haven't located yet. I haven't stripped it yet because the adjuster hasn't seen it yet.

mitchntx
08-21-2007, 09:24 AM
While the 98 and newer rack itself is a direct bolt in, the steering input shaft of the rack is indexed 90* out when compared to a rack from a 97 and earlier F-Car. When everything is hooked up, the wheel will be off center several degrees.

I'm unsure if installing the 98 and newer intemediate steering shaft will fix the problem or not. There are some differences in the 2 shafts as they have different clearancing issues around the exhaust along with proper indexing to the steering rack.

My guess is a 98 and newer would work on a 97 and older but the 97 and older wouldn't work on a 98 and newer.

Again, this is only if installing a 98 and newer style rack on a 97 and older F-car.

HTH