Rack and Pinion vs engine setback for header clearance?

Billyjay, I took some time to look over your photos. Man, your Dart is inspiring! Truly Hot Rod Art. I'm not planning on getting that deep on my build, I'm just looking for a fun street ride, but I think I'll be spending hours studying your pics for ideas.

Its most helpful to see your chassis work pics in progress. Gives me a better idea of how the stock frame is put together, without the sheet metal to obscure the view. Like the trans crossmember...I can see that indeed my suspicion was right, not a lot of room there if the tranny has to go way back and have the main case under that hump.

I still am looking around for good insight on just how a rack and pinion conversion would work. Stuff like exactly where the rack should be located re: the rest of steering linkages, what's gonna be the practical implication of swapping the spindles side for side in a street application that has to pass DMV inspection.

If I can do the rack, my biggest issue will be solved, but I need to be sure that its safe(especially if I do the work, lol).

Anyway, Thanks for the great photos, immensely helpful.