I'm having to replace the rack anyway, are they worth upgrading or just hype?

IMO-it is worth it.I replaced all mine with Energy Suspension.

I'm running poly offset bushings. Used offset due to being dropped 2" and the subsequent need to add correction to suspension geometry.... I didn't notice any difference in steering feel or whatever but the stock rubber bushings at the time were in perfect shape with only about 65K on them.

If you have the opportunity to replace with poly or solid (and obviously you do) then I'd go for it. It's cheap enough to justify the cost for the simple sake of peace of mind. Not to mention, your friends and neighbors will be impressed

They are cheap so yes.

I should have gone solid in hindsight. Polys will do though. I have offsets as well.

Ha yeah you're right. Maybe I'll go nuts and spring for poly. I sure wish I had a lift.

Replacing the racks on these cars are easy....One of the easier parts to replace. The only sucky part was screwing in the line fittings. At least on my 2001, one of the fittings is easy but the get the other in and tight sucks, kind of like removing the PS pump with the one rogue bolt that everyone ends up not re-installing due to how sh*** it is to loosen and tighten.

What rack and pinion did you go with? I just went with an Oreilly Auto reman....

I'm still shopping but I'm leaning towards the cardone's 03 cobra reman. It's only $40 more than a '95 reman. I'm not certain if it'll be any better than the '95 reman but I think I'm going to roll the dice.
I replaced a rack in my dads '97 a couple of years ago w an oriley reman. Duralast maybe? I think that rack is worse than the oem. I don't really have much seat time w it but it's like turning around a school bus in the drive way. I thought it was a kinda a tough job, nasty greasy. I remember that fitting, It was horrible. I think I bolted and unbolted the rack a couple of times trying to figure out the best way to get to it. Is that the high pressure line so you remember? I have to replace the high pressure line anyway. If the hard to get to fitting is indeed the HP line, maybe I can put the line on the rack first and snake it up through the top?