We all know the discussion on the subject, and there are plenty of other forums that discuss the manual/power argument.
I would like a manual rack with a quicker ratio. It's rare to find a hicas rack, and sacrilege to hack one up. I love PBM's dedication to development of a design. Max is one of the few companies I trust my parts from. Thought it an interesting idea since there are no real aftermarket rack options for a very large crowd of 20+ year old cars.
thats because there isnt a reason to make an aftermarket rack given the amount of sucsess that is the factory rack. to be quite honest with you there is no reason to make a manual rack.
ps tha ratio of the rack is accellerated by the pbm sak and pro knuckle mod which increases the lock to lock ratio without the need of a complete aftermarket rack.. so in actuality the have done this without reinventing the wheel.
im sure dan has some other techno numbers for you on this as... From what i can see and know of the s chassis (which is a stupid amount) there is no need for a replacement of the rack it self. only the location and ratio like you suggested and which have all been acheived threw the rack relocation bushings and super angle kit...
hope this helps and thanks for being a dedicated parts shop max customer and follower like my self..
ps keep thinking up more new inovative things for these guys to chew over though, the second we stop trying new things is the second we all quit