Brett Kay

Greetings from Australia! Hope someone can help. 1st gen RX7's were never imported with power steer into Australia. My research of USA models indicates '84/5 had a p/s option. Does anybody know (or like to guess) as to whether or not the p/s unit would fit my 81 car? From your point of view, we drive on the wrong side of the road, but there is a useful amount of space under the bonnet (that's hood) so it may work. yes or no?? Many thanks. Downunder

Adsy01

are you positive that later aussie s3 didnt have power steering here???
did the UK or Jap models have power steering? ( you think they would have) if so these would bolt straight in

as for the american box, the simple answer is NO

the american steering box is a mirror image of the aussie one and simply wont bolt up to the chassis rail....

i havent looked into this but, there is bound to be a power steering box from a 626 or a 929 of the same era that will either fit or adapt to the rx7.. (well you think there would be)

as for the pump you could use the american rx7 one and have the lines made up by enzed or someone simmilar or possibly adapt a later aussie model rx7 pump.

i worked for pedders suspesion for a few years and did a few conversions like this (on other cars) and i found that the hardest part of a conversion like this is finding the box that will adapt the easiest..


http://www.ausrotary.com/

JIMMY54

iTrader: (2)

My gsl-se 1984 doesn't have power steering, personally I haven't seen it in canada. I'd be interested myself if they have it in america.

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

My bro's GSL-SE had PS in it, untill the lines leaked all the fluid out. He bought it used that way and never replaced the lines. I guess he got used to the hard steering wheel.

smnc

I'm pretty sure it was an option up here. My -SE doean't have it either, but when I was searching, several ads had is listed as a feature.

Just curious, why would you want it? I don't find my car hard to handle at all? The only benifit I can see it possibly when parallel parking. I think the steering in the RX-7 is sloppy enough without the PS option.

Just my 2 cents
-Spencer

Brett Kay

In answer to the question, Why do it? The car was built to run in an event called 'Targa Tasmania' - 2500+km around closed road sections of Australia's island state. The event runs across 6 days through twisting mountain passes and requires teams (to be competitive all stages must be pace noted) to be in the car for up to 9 hours.

My car is a 1981 (we call it series II - disc brake rear) and within regulations must have a 12A. It is bridge ported, weber IDA48, volvo brakes (must be from an '81 model car), lsd 4.4 diff, 626 gear set, KONI's all round, full structural cage, 15x7 wheels with DR01's and makes 165hp all day long at the rear wheels.

The front end runs just 2.5 deg of neg camber and whilst the overall setup makes for an amazing handling little car, it is mighty tiring after a full days racing.

P/S will just make it more drivable for the 6 days - and I think the p/s rack is a little faster (3.4 vs. 3.7 turns lock to lock).

The converted 626/929 box is something that I will look at.

Cheers Brett

smnc

I guess 9 hours a day for 6 days would get a bit tireing. And yes the PS box is a bit faster.

Good luck in your search

Adsy01

hey bret you a lucky boy getting to playing the targa :-)


what stare are you in?