1. Are the driveshafts different (S4) bewtween a manual and automatic car?

2. Is there a big physical difference between a manual and power steering rack?
The reason I ask on this one is because I noticed there was no P/S pump on my '86 and I didnt appear to have been one removed like if somebody has just yanked it out.

 

1. Yes.
2. No. The difference is the steering ratio. Check the FAQ's to figure out which model has what steering ratio. Some P/S was engine RPM sensitive and some were speed sensitive.

 

i am assuming you have a base model they dont have power steering personally i like my fc without the power steering as the feedback to the steering is so much better plus more steering angle

 

Very helpful. Thank you fellas!

 

That's wrong. There are differences, such as the manual rack body on the passenger side is a smaller diameter on the passenger side, requiring a different bushing and mount/clamp. The housing that holds the pinion gear is shorter/smaller on the manual rack. The passenger side tie rod is different. You can bolt in a power rack if you use the power passenger side tie rod and bushing/mount. The steering shaft will bolt up.

That's also wrong. It has a slower ratio, so while you might get more turns out of the wheel with a manual rack, it's not giving you any more angle at the wheels. Check the FSM, it's in there.

There are other options rather than just the two power racks and the manual rack. You can de-power one of the power racks to get you the faster ratio of the power rack along with the great feel and feedback of the manual rack. I've had on my car the 17.4:1 power steering, that rack depowered, and a 15.2:1 rack depowered (on my car now), and the fast rack is my favorite. It's not for everyone as the steering is a bit on the heavy side, but it's so fast with such great feel that it makes up for it.