OBD version 2.0 swap (56K beware)

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[3100MPFI]

probably.  It is a really heavy rack.

Just so you know, the ONLY GM w-body rack to cost more is the MAGNASTEER rack.

[3100MPFI]

Make that a really heavy rack with a 2.25 clock to clock.

The one in your car is still an FE3 rack, but it is the 2.75 clock to clock.

The TGP rack is heavier and has the small clock to clock because of the 16 X 8 wheels.  They had to put the 2.25 in there so the tires would not hit the inner fenderwell when you turned.

[mfewtrail]

The TGP racks rock!  I love the feel of them vs. the other W-body racks. The FE3 2.5 turn rack I have in my '93 doesn't feel bad either.

[Jay]

I'm not sure the convertibles got an FE3 rack...

[3100MPFI]

there is no 2.5 rack.  I think you are thinking of the 2.75 rack.

There were only 3 racks.  3.25, 2.75. and 2.25

if your convert has an FE3 suspension, then it has an FE3 rack,

If your car has FE1 suspension, you could still have the FE3 rack.

My 1988 was a BASE, but it still had the FE3 steering rack instead of the base rack.

Shocked the shit out of me when I found out.

[mfewtrail]

Pretty sure my '93 has a 2.5 turn rack in it. I can point you to a site where can buy "2.5" turn racks for these cars. My '93 originally had a 2.75 turn lock-to-lock rack in it, the one in it now is noticeably heavier and I believe I checked it to be an actual 2.5. It was out of a junkyard GTP(I forget the year now).


http://www.steeringrack.com/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/3808

Compare that to any of the others on the site and the part # is different from the "2.8" turn racks they have listed for different w-bodies.

[mfewtrail]

Pretty sure my '93 has a 2.5 turn rack in it. I can point you to a site where can buy "2.5" turn racks for these cars. My '93 originally had a 2.75 turn lock-to-lock rack in it, the one in it now is noticeably heavier and I believe I checked it to be an actual 2.5. It was out of a junkyard GTP(I forget the year now).


http://www.steeringrack.com/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/3808

Compare that to any of the others on the site and the part # is different from the "2.8" turn racks they have listed for different w-bodies.

EDIT #2: Ok after some research I've come to these conclusions about racks. There are two 15.7:1 ratio racks used in these cars. One is stated to be 2.5 OR 2.6 turns lock-to-lock(depending on where you look) while the other is listed as 2.75-2.8 turns. They both have the same 15.7:1 ratio though, just the 2.5/2.6 turn rack is a "sport effort" version. According to some other info I have, the early Lumina Z34's received the same 2.25 turn rack the TGP's have(14.0:1 ratio). So I suppose the rack in my '93 is the "sport effort" 15.7:1 since I counted right at 2.5 turns lock-to-lock on it just a minute ago. My cousin's '92 SE must have the non-sport effort 15.7 rack because it takes exactly 2.75 turns of the wheel from lock to lock on it. Sorry for the off-topic rack discussion.

[3100MPFI]

I don't think all of that information is correct.  They don't list any of the sport racks.

I got my information when I worked for Pepboys.  The computer system back then listed the clock to clock turn.

I remember that I thought I was upgrading when I replaced my worn out rack with the 2.75 FE3 rack, but it turns out I HAD the 2.75 rack already, and it was, well, worn out.

I did not do my search beyond 1993, but I did compare EVERY GM W-body from 1988-1993 trying to find the best deal, and the best rack.  Once I started seeing the magnasteer information, I stopped the search (random 1995 serarch showed that one).

I found that up until 1993, GM only had the 3 racks.  The 3.25 was the base rack, and had the least effort.
The 2.75 rack was the sport rack, and listed as an FE3 rack.  Shocked me that it listed the RPO code on that one.
The 2.25 rack was only listed in the Grand Prix section.  It listed in the info that the 2.25 rack was only used in the cars with the body kit.

NOW!!!!!

I don't know if anything has CHANGED.  If only GMPARTSDIRECT still had the GOOD setup that actually gave you information on the parts.

[3100MPFI]

Finally got a chance to do some more work. We have had a week of rain, and scattered thunderstorms, so I have not been able to do anything.

I finally got off my lazy ass and got some things done. I have the steering rack totally in (just need to connect the drivers tie-rod, and then adjust the alignment.

I have it ready to install the tranny, but getting my friend over here to help me is another story.

One thing I am curious about. My old OBD1 wiring had a POWER STEERING PRESSURE SENSOR, but the OBD2 wiring does not. I am going to have to do some more research before I can get the tranny in there.

[crazy k]

covered your issue in Whatever.  The plug can be done without.  it is intended to increase engine RPM or shut of the a/c when you are at or near full lock on the steering gear.

I should check and see what my cars all have for rack ratios.  I really don't know!

[3100MPFI]

All oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme FE3 racks are the 2.75.  The TGP and other Grand Prix's with the body kit, those were the only ones to get the 2.25.  The 2.25 was needed mostly to keep the wheels from rubbing.  The Cutlass Supreme never got wheels as wide as the Grand Prix, so the FE3 in that car is the 2.75.

I did all of that research when I was first looking at the racks almost 5 years ago.  Not sure of the newer ones.  I was going to do a magnasteer setup until I found out that it can only be run by the ABS computer.  Now if I add ABS to my Cutlass, THEN I will do the magnasteer.

[crazy k]

All oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme FE3 racks are the 2.75.  The TGP and other Grand Prix's with the body kit, those were the only ones to get the 2.25.  The 2.25 was needed mostly to keep the wheels from rubbing.  The Cutlass Supreme never got wheels as wide as the Grand Prix, so the FE3 in that car is the 2.75.

I did all of that research when I was first looking at the racks almost 5 years ago.  Not sure of the newer ones.  I was going to do a magnasteer setup until I found out that it can only be run by the ABS computer.  Now if I add ABS to my Cutlass, THEN I will do the magnasteer.

magnasteer?  please esplain?

[3100MPFI]

Magnetic variable assist power steering.

I never wanted to do it in the past because it uses a different steering column, but now that I am doing the OBD2 swap, I might install a 1994-1997 Cutlass Supreme steering column seeing I am wiring in the oasskey 2 crap.

It is basically a special power steering pump, steering rack, and steering column, and is all controlled by the ABS computer.

[crazy k]

Magnetic variable assist power steering.

I never wanted to do it in the past because it uses a different steering column, but now that I am doing the OBD2 swap, I might install a 1994-1997 Cutlass Supreme steering column seeing I am wiring in the oasskey 2 crap.

It is basically a special power steering pump, steering rack, and steering column, and is all controlled by the ABS computer.

My 95 3.4 has some sort of variable power assist thing, with a round sensor at the column bas that has three wires, and under the hood, the reservoir has some part too it, that has two wires that must control the valving.  It IS controlled by the ABS????????

[3100MPFI]

yup.  If you have the variable pump, and the ring at the base of the steering column, then you have it.  

And yes, it is controlled by the ABS computer.  So if your ABS computer goes out, be sure you get the right one.