Power Steering Rack & Pinion swap question

[Rubie_25GT]

Okay, so I cannot seem to find a clear answer to this.. I have a 1999 Legacy GT with a bad steering rack. I want to replace it with a faster ratio rack, but not an aftermarket one. From my understanding, it is a 16.5:1 ration on the stock 2nd gen GT rack.
What other stock racks are quicker (shorter amount of turns)? What racks will bolt on to the stock crossmember of the GT? What racks will require a different crossmember? -(I assume the WRX and STI racks need the crossmember to bolt on)

If there is a post somewhere about this, I apologize and would love to have a link to it. Thanks!

[86bratman]

The 1st gen legacy rack is a 16:1 ratio, direct bolt in. It is the only quicker rack that requires no modification to fit a 2nd gen. The 04 STi rack is the only quicker rack that will bolt into a 2nd gen crossmember, it will require modification to the steering coupler. You can find more info about that by searching it's installation into a GC era impreza. The 05+ STI rack needs a crossmember swap to bolt into a 2nd gen, and also the steering coupler mod. To my knowledge the wrx racks are also 16.5:1 like ours, and also require the coupler mod.

[Rubie_25GT]

Alright cool that clears up a good bit. Thanks! Definitely don't want to go back to a stock rack if I can get a faster rack for a decent price.

[meepers]

If you pick up an Sti rack, as long as you have the coupler it is a super simple mod to make it fit. The splines changed, just cut and weld. Sleeve method works awesome.

[Regardie]

The 2015 STi rack has made it into some fourth gen Legacys. I believe it is 13:1. You would need to modify your crossmember, I think it is enlarge the hole for the column, add some spacers to make up for the offset mounting holes, combine two steering knuckles to get the splines right and shorten the tie rod ends and chase some new threads to make it fit.

The new rack is around $700 from your favorite online vendors.

I have not done this yet to my 3rd gen, still hoping someone gets there first.

[86bratman]

The 05+ racks mount completely different to the crossmember. It has very little to do with the hole for the steering shaft.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/224190959fd3a87c5531ffb828f4970d-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/e13cf365cf228c9df1afc3fd0d9045b4-1.jpg

04 and prior are mounted different on the driver's side.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/6174117f8090dbaa996de9c24892b12c-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/03/e8f745db6c5cf557bc5d815e177645da-1.jpg

[meepers]

Just takes a little work with the grinder to make it fit. I have an 06 STI xmember running my 98 depowered rack. The mounting points are the same (location and bolt spacing), the only difference is the shape of the C where the rack sits.