I have tracked down the requried parts to convert our manual steering to power steering. The parts will total almost $300. Not sure if it is worth it. The car will be used for street and autocross duty.

 

I think you would be better off putting that towards a rack and pinion steering setup, like re-speeds. I don't see a need for power steering with the re-speed rack setup, as its much easier to turn than the stock setup.

 

If you're going with wider tires for autocrossing, I strongly recommend power steering. Once I went with 7" wide rims up front, ps became a necessity, even more so now with the 9" wide rims. Parking was a bitch w/o ps and the wider wheels. Some prefer the feedback that manual steering gives, I prefer the quicker response and ease of steering that ps gives.

 

Not sure if I am goibg to go with 7 inch wide wheels. It depends on in what class my son wants to run.

 

why not just buy the power steering box, pump, hardware, and lines from an 84 or 85? why go aftermarket and risk fitment issues?

 

I drove with 8.5" wide wheels at auto-x, it gets lighter at speed, just drive faster....

 

Hearing from vendors who sell the OEM equipment (but not aftermarket setups) that the OEM setups are unreliable and I should stay with the non-power setup.

 

Don't believe everything you hear.

 

i have the original power steering in my 85 GSL with almost 114K miles on it. no leaks and is as realiable as any new p/s setup.

 

I would definitely go with the PS set-up. I have an 84 SE without PS and am wishing that I had it. I also think the stock PS system should be equally as reliable to other systems on the car. Personally, I would go with a stock PS set-up before going with Re-Speed.

Mike

 

before going RE-speed you need to check the class rules, it might not be allowed

personally i like the manual steering, i never had a PS car when i was a kid, so the faster steering ratio is weird.

effort is up to you, i have no problem one handing a manual steering gsl-se in a parking lot, the other hand is for coffee....

 

im lookin for a power steering setup up for my 82 if anyone has that

 

I have power steering on my 84 GSL, 84 GSLSE and 76 Cosmo. The pump on the GSLSE had a bad bearing when I bought the car (130k miles). Bought a used one from someone on this forum 5 years ago. All three have worked perfectly for years.

 

The P/S box brand new used to be almost $1500. The pump was over $300. So I'd say you're getting a steal.

I am running with the P/S box for its speed, and the lines are looped together. The pump isn't needed, the effrort is about the same as with manual steering.

Which, if you're skating the car around, is barely any effort at all....

 

i dont think ps is that big of necessity, one way is to just get buff , that will help haha