240 HICAS steering rack

[NMK]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a 240 HICAS steering rack.

I know that they are as hard to find as unicorns in wild life.

Does anyone know a shop / brake yard worth asking?


Cheers,

Kilian

[dorkidori_s13]

your best bet is to eliminate the HICAS setup altogether. HICAS racks are VERY rare and are usually kind of expensive when you do find them. youd be much better off removing the HICAS unit and running new lines + a new standard rack.

[Jtuned_andy]

HICAS FRONT steering racks are no different than a standard rack in regards to hydraulic line routing. HICAS FRONT racks are said to have a marginally quicker ratio however. In my USDM s13 I installed a HICAS rack and in my JDM s13 it came with HICAS and I converted the entire rear subframe to non-HICAS s13. The only options to remove a rear HICAS rack are to install solid arm stoppers or convert the entire subframe.

FYI...

[Jtuned_andy]

Also there is practically no way to identify a front HICAS vs. front non-HICAS racks unless you personally pull the rack from a HICAS car and KNOW. As far as I remember, I sent out my rack to have it rebuilt and I stamped it myself with identification so when it came back I knew it was the same one and not a standard rack if they decided to swap them on me.

[NMK]

Thanks for the info guys - I am running a S15 rear subframe (hence no HICAS anyway). I am after the HICAS rack for the slightly better ratio.

The only way of identifiying a HICAS rack is to count the number or rotations required for lock to lock.

I do not mind, if its more expensive than a standard Rack :)
My concern is to actually find one....

[e1_griego]

Easier to modify the spindle for quicker steering than trying to find a rack.

[jdhariwal]

Just put up a post in the WTB section.. took about a month but Suspicion Garage ended up having one and they contacted me and I got it for 120.. Definitely Hicas and I compared with my stock rack.

Then I ended up going with a full PBM setup, with coils, knuckles, FLCA, inner and outer tie rods with the offset spacer, and their solid rack bushing. Also have a power brace. The Hicas rack combined with the knuckles, holy fuck, that things insanely fun to slide. But very sensitive to input as well. You'll find one, just keep an eye out. Also, Pick n Pull, you never know.

[NMK]

@jdhariwal,

Thanks for the hint, I will ask Suspicious Garage.

Did you drive the HICAS rack before changing out the knuckles? It has been stated to have a "marginally quicker ratio". Or is the response you mentioning comming from the knuckles?

(btw, I try not to be sliding :) - not always easy though.... )

[Agamemnon]

I installed a HICAS rack in my s14 with stock knuckles and poly bushings and noticed a significant improvement at lower speeds. The quicker ratio makes it more fun on mountain roads because I feel I have to do less work.

[NMK]

Sounds good thanks.

I struggle the most to open up the steering fast enough, once the rear goes. The CA18 with GT2860RS is not the nicest when it comes to torque delivery when it comes on boost.

I hope to be more confident, if I have a faster steeing, to be able to react faster....