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Drifting without power steering?

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Old 05-01-07, 02:30 AM
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Drifting without power steering?

Basically, a few of my friends who are into drifting are saying that power steering is pretty much a necessity in order to drift properly. The reason is because of how fast you have to be able to countersteer, and how hard it is to use manual steering, and bla bla bla...

anyways, I was wondering if anybody has drifted an FC with no power steering before, and what were your thoughts/impressions.

I had no trouble driving the car around in parking lots and whatnot with the manual steering, so if it doesn't get any harder then im good

btw, I have a manual rack not a de-powered power rack

Thanks in advance!
Old 05-01-07, 02:41 AM
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I am in the same boat as you my freind, with just a manual rack, and there is no problems for me getting sideways @ 60-80 and pulling switch backs

The person who actually sold me my car complained that he wanted the power steering and thus sold me the car for a very cheap price, his loss I guess

I really find no problems with it, you learn to deal with it
Old 05-01-07, 04:04 AM
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Powersteering sure as hell makes it easier, but there is no reason why you can't.

I've had no problem at all. Nor have many other people I know that drift it.

Put down the deep friend twinkies and go to the gym.
Old 05-01-07, 08:01 AM
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i cant stand power steering and i drift lots...

vid of my no power steering in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHMS0WEGSPw
Old 05-01-07, 08:09 AM
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hmm...it gets easier as u go higher in speed. i was just actually gonna post a new thread regarding power steering but since someone already has one up, ill ask my question here: how does one know if he has depowered power steering or a manual steering rack? because a friend of mine looked at my car and said that the pump was removed but this was befor i knew there was an option in rx7 with manual steering? i own a 87 rx7 turbo II.
Old 05-01-07, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Anubis06
hmm...it gets easier as u go higher in speed. i was just actually gonna post a new thread regarding power steering but since someone already has one up, ill ask my question here: how does one know if he has depowered power steering or a manual steering rack? because a friend of mine looked at my car and said that the pump was removed but this was befor i knew there was an option in rx7 with manual steering? i own a 87 rx7 turbo II.
Look for crimped lines on the driver side of the rack. There should be two of them if it's a depowered rack. Either that or they capped them. If you don't see two lines then you have a stock manual rack.
Old 05-01-07, 08:22 AM
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powersteering isnt key (seen quite a few people who drift without it), but it is handy. i prefer it personally.
Old 05-01-07, 09:20 AM
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it's called the gym. I use it and I love my non power steering, small **** stearing wheel, 245 Azenis on the front RX-7
Old 05-01-07, 09:34 AM
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Take a gander at your rack, where the steering shaft connects to it. See any piping/tubing/etc? If no, then you have a genuine manual rack. If you say yes, then you have a depowered steering rack.
Old 05-01-07, 10:06 AM
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i shall take a look then.

also...would a manual steering rack necessarily have the same feel as a depowered steering rack or would the former be lighter?

Last edited by Anubis06; 05-01-07 at 10:20 AM.
Old 05-01-07, 10:50 AM
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no power steering here and i get sideways no problem i actually like it better
Old 05-01-07, 01:04 PM
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i think the feel is about the same but the de powered one has a quicker ratio lock to lock.
Old 05-01-07, 04:27 PM
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The depowered steering rack and manual rack will feel similar, except:

The lock-to-lock ratio on a the depowered rack will be smaller, hence making it harder for you to steer.

The manual rack is a little bit easier to steer because of the larger ratio.

After driving for about 2 years with only a manual rack, driving an FC with Power steering is very odd indeed. It's almost like an arcade video game.
Old 05-01-07, 06:18 PM
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i like the shorter ratio.. it is a little harder but i have a tiny steering wheel anyway and i like the wheels to get where i need them to be as soon as possible. but either way its all about preference and manual over power any day
Old 05-01-07, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by stevensimon
i cant stand power steering and i drift lots...

vid of my no power steering in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHMS0WEGSPw
lawl, love your mounting job on the guage. That way it acts as a G meter as well by seeing how far it's tossed. :P


PS helps but it's not needed because our PS is on a speed curve. More speed = less PS help.

So the faster you go the more manual rack style you'll be. You will have to get over the natural resistance of an depowered rack but it shouldn't be terrible.

I use to drive a lifted, big tire,manual rack jeep so I guess I'm just use to it though.

I've yet to get my track car(depowered) out there to see a comparison against my DD. In a few months I'll get to see first hand when it's done
Old 05-01-07, 08:30 PM
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Heres a pic of my rack mine is manual as of today thought maybe a pic would help so you could see exactly what a manu rack looks like... notice no hoses etc....



I personally am switching to power steering... theres not really much involved with putting one in... and seriously for the min investment and a little wrench time why not? I go to the gym but I like my work outs to stay in the gym and the rest is all playtime........... lol
Old 05-01-07, 08:43 PM
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i drifted my car all over the place with a de-powered steering rack, no problems at all
Old 05-01-07, 09:16 PM
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i get my car sideways with a depowered rack without too much difficulty. its a bit of a pain in parking lots but whatever...plus girls love non power steering cars...or so i heard haha
Old 05-01-07, 10:15 PM
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Cool either or

ive driven both, and my opinion is manual steering rack would be good for goin sidewayze. Once your rolling its not really that noticable diff to me personally. So I just think that when drifting, if you dont have to worry about the power steering going out, then the better off you and your 7 will be. Snappin the power steerin belt would be some gay shitz.
Old 05-02-07, 01:35 AM
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the problem with the manual rack is the ratio.

Most like the lock to lock ratio of the power rack
Old 05-02-07, 01:51 AM
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there are angle kits out there made for powered racks (what i'm getting).
and i think you can shimmy the tie-rod ends for a lil more angle.
-dont quote me on that tho.
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