Fitting a quick rack to an LS2 Monaro. Not a straight swap!

[Andy616]

Hi all.

I have done a search but I couldn't find a definative answer. I found out today that when fitting a quick rack to an LS2 Monaro it is not a straight swap, as the power steering pipe returning fluid to the cooler does not line up with the fittings on the rack. Nice of them not to point that out on the website!

Does anyone know if the return pipe from an earlier Monaro would fit now that I'm using the quick rack?

Thanks.

[Yanayaya]

Ahh, the good old "gotcha". I had the same problem, however, all you need is the return pipe from a CV8.
At the time I bought mine from Monkfish and when I noticed Roger told me to buy the CV8 line which they had at the time. Done!

[Andy616]

Awesome, thanks a lot. Do you happen to have the part number by any chance? I've spent a while searching and I can't seem to find it.

All I've found is that it's number 16 on this diagram:

Edited by Andy616 on Tuesday 18th September 21:33

[mfp4073]

If you get stuck it might be worth giving Andy or Roger a call at pedders UK, just in case they can still get that particular part.
I'm sure you can get a quick rack from them so you would think you could get the hoses?

John

Edited by mfp4073 on Wednesday 19th September 06:36

Edited by mfp4073 on Wednesday 19th September 06:45

[monkfish1]

The CV8 pipe is no longer serviced and has been for some time now, a little careful bending of the pipes to suit the new rack will work, we did hundreds like that.

[bigwheel]

monkfish1 said:

The CV8 pipe is no longer serviced and has been for some time now, a little careful bending of the pipes to suit the new rack will work, we did hundreds like that.

What happens if a CV8 needs that pipe replaced?

[Lincsls1]

Thinking of having a quick rack fitted at some point.
Is my 5.7 VXR the same as a CV8 in this regard? As in, a true straight swap?

[Andy616]

monkfish1 said:

The CV8 pipe is no longer serviced and has been for some time now, a little careful bending of the pipes to suit the new rack will work, we did hundreds like that.

Thanks for confirming. I'm annoyed that there is no mention that modifications will be necessary on the Pedders website. It just lists the LS2 Monaro under the compatible vehicles list.

There was no way that the existing pipe was going to bend to fit the new rack. The pipe had been on there nearly 13 years and was too brittle. I've now got a flexi pipe between the original connectors but I would prefer to use a proper pipe.

I'm happy with the faster steering!

[monkfish1]

Andy616 said:

Thanks for confirming. I'm annoyed that there is no mention that modifications will be necessary on the Pedders website. It just lists the LS2 Monaro under the compatible vehicles list.

There was no way that the existing pipe was going to bend to fit the new rack. The pipe had been on there nearly 13 years and was too brittle. I've now got a flexi pipe between the original connectors but I would prefer to use a proper pipe.

I'm happy with the faster steering!

To be fair it does actually say "suits 04 cars ONLY". Granted, it could be clearer, but as your car is an 05, its saying it wont fit.

The proper pipe is not available, nor the return line to the resevoir, and hasn't been for years, so whether you are fitting a rack, or just replacing a rusty pipe, you will need to improvise in some way. A flexi is the easy obvious answer. Its all on the low pressure side anyway.

[Andy616]

monkfish1 said:

To be fair it does actually say "suits 04 cars ONLY". Granted, it could be clearer, but as your car is an 05, its saying it wont fit.

Ha, not if you go straight to it from a search like I did. You just get a vehicle fitments list that has the LS2 Monaro as compatible.

[RichMVXR]

Hi all,

I realise this is an old thread but I have ordered the pedders rack for my 2006 VXR Monaro. I was wondering if anyone had any pictures of the mods needed to make the return pipe fit? I have a local mechanic I use for work on the car which is far easier to get to but would like to provide them with as much information as possible before asking if they'll tackle it. Failing that, I'll take it to one of the specialists but they're a bit further away.

Thanks.

[Andy616]

It's a pitty you didn't post this a couple of weeks ago when I had my car up on axle stands.

I don't have any pictures, but as I said above, all the connections are the same and it's the low pressure pipe that doesn't line up. My mechanic cut the ends of the original pipe and connected them to a flexi hose.

I do now have a pipe from an earlier car which I will fit when I have a chance. You can get them from Australian breakers on ebay.

I've reuploaded the picture above which shows the layout. It's pipe 16 that needs to be from an earlier model or modified to fit.

[RichMVXR]

Shame I missed it.

Do you have any links to the correct part on eBay by any chance? I will take it to my mechanic and see if they’d be happy to tackle the job. Would be much nicer to fit the correct part though

Thanks.

[stu vxr]

On a different note not sure whether the so called quick rack is worth it, selective to say the least, I have and I can't honestly say probably the worst value for money I have ever spent.

I only felt a slight improvement after having been fitted, electric power steering will always be better.

I would give anything for my Monaro to steer like a modern car sadly that upgrade will never be available.

[Andy616]

Sorry, I don't have the part number unfortunately.

[mfp4073]

stu vxr said:

On a different note not sure whether the so called quick rack is worth it, selective to say the least, I have and I can't honestly say probably the worst value for money I have ever spent.

I only felt a slight improvement after having been fitted, electric power steering will always be better.

I would give anything for my Monaro to steer like a modern car sadly that upgrade will never be available.

The quick rack isn't brilliant by any means, and I wish it was a bit sharper but it's better than stock.
A couple of years ago I drove my late brothers early seventies Fourmula 400, now the steering on that made my Monaro feel like a go kart!!!!!
If I remember correctly the chassis on a Monaro was designed in the early 90's so for what it really is its not too bad.
If I had the money I would still drive a 70's muscle car today....but maybe that's an age thing.

Edited by mfp4073 on Saturday 12th October 21:01

[SOCO]

I remember what my CV8 was like before the quick-rack. It was like using a rudder on a barge.

The quick-rack made a huge difference, but only to the point where it should have been in the first place.

It should've been called a "Normal-rack". There is no such thing as a quick-rack for the Monaro in my opinion.

[RichMVXR]

SOCO said:

I remember what my CV8 was like before the quick-rack. It was like using a rudder on a barge.

The quick-rack made a huge difference, but only to the point where it should have been in the first place.

It should've been called a "Normal-rack". There is no such thing as a quick-rack for the Monaro in my opinion.

This is what I'm hoping for, just so it feels a bit less ship like and more normal!

[mfp4073]

I think a quick rack comes into its own with the addition of other mods. The only thing I haven't changed yet are the anti roll bars, I was worried that might have been a step too far?
Last month I was out and about on some tight back roads and considering the size, weight and age of the car It put up a good show.
I suspect in standard trim the Monaro was in reality designed as a straight line performer with the possibility of going around a gentle bend thrown in for good measure. Holden obviously left things to the aftermarket to take things to the next level.

[Lincsls1]

Hi Rich.

Be sure to give us all an honest review of the 'quick' rack once you've had it fitted and given it a few miles!
Cheers...