Quick Steer Upgrade for BG Outback?

[Sub-Goon]

I was looking into rebuild upgrade ideas for my BG, which is leaking from at least 1 fitting. I came across the following ratio info over on Nabisco.
BG Outback 19:1
Gen2 Legacy/non-outback 16.5:1
WRX 16.5:1
Gen1 Legacy 16:1
STI 15:1
Legacy STI S402 13:1

Goodluck finding the S402 jdm unit, so thats out of the question.
The STI & WRX units require the xmember, endlinks, steer shaft and maybe more. So I'm not going that route.
The Gen1 Legacy has been tried and is not a straight bolt up, due to the endlinks being the wrong length.

So I'm considering a Gen2 Legacy swap. Has anyone tried this?

[86bratman]

As far as I know there shouldn't be any reason a standard legacy rack wouldn't bolt up. They use basically the same crossmember, even though opposedforces shows a different part number between the two.

[rat-sack]

This is my first time really on the sight in a while so first off, hi all. Second, I see there hasn't been much activity on this thread so, Sub-Goon, have you come up with any suitable options? I would love to see some more on this thread unless you guys can point us to another, I too am starting to think about such upgrades as my power steering system leaks like a sieve. I have seen a lot of talk around the net about Q-racks but sadly most of it is of them being both expensive and out of business. I have also seen some talk about L&E and am intrigued, however, their web sight says only available on special order for the Legacies. Anybody have any info on this? Like maybe how we can get our hands on such things? I am hoping to get more active on here again as I may be able to actually return to working on my project, so it is time to start learning more about my options. Thank you all for the never ending knowledge base and support.

[OBiOne]

The standard legacy rack is a direct bolt in. Drop old rack out, lift legacy rack in. It feels a bit quicker, but I really don't notice the difference.

[Go Mifune]

I've driven a BG for 14 years and then added a BK. Feels the same now that I'm used to it but the first few times driving the BK, I kept clipping curbs as it turned more with the same steering wheel input. Sti or aftermarket would be fun but there is the concern of having $25k spent on a $3k car:-)

[ctbrighton]

So the only difference in a 1st gen legacy rack is the "endlinks are different length"? Are we talking tierods? Those are probably interchangeable. Going from 16.5 to 16:1 would be nice if its cheap which i assume it would be.

[86bratman]

I don't know where the notion of the first gen rack not being a direct bolt in came from. I had forgotten about this thread completely, but since it was written I have swapped in a 1st gen turbo crossmember and steering rack into my 97 L and had to change absolutely nothing.