West TX RX-7

I'm in the process of rebuilding my engine and upgrading to a FMIC and new Turbo...(leaning toward a 60-1) and was wondering what everyone thinks about taking off the A/C and Power Steering. If you have done either or both post why you did it, if you regret doing either or, and if it really helped out in with power gains.

Thanks!

Ryde _Or_Die

Well if your car is a track only car, take them both off. But personally I want my car to be daily driven if I want so I took the power steering off only. If you don't have AC and you drive you car around now, its like you have a beater. I've had too many cars without AC as it is. Now going to pull a perfectly good unit just to save a little weight.

West TX RX-7

Do you need to replace the steering box when you remove the Pump with a manual one? How difficult does it make the steering?

vanix

it makes it harder than if you had a manual rack

Ryde _Or_Die

I just plugged all 3 lines on mine and its easier to turn that my friends that just has his belt off. Not too hard at all, just gotta get used to it.

BlackRx7

yeah take all that crap off, only way to get a striped clean engine, which what you need for that 60-1

BDoty311

Lose PS for sure. A/C is a different thing. Sometimes you want you and your passenger to be comfortable in the summer heat, especially if u live in Texas.

Turblown

iTrader: (12)

I have both off, just installed a manual steering rack too. I have no problem going without A/C. P/s on the other hand makes it a lot easier to take corners real quick etc, i kindof miss it.

Bridgeported

Remove the PS for sure. You don't need it at all. Even better is to take out the whole rack and replace it with a manual steering rack unit.

AC is optional. If you don't use it much as it is, then you might not miss it. Personally, I would take it out, but I'm pretty straight-shootin about peformance above all else.

rx_7_driver

my .02 cents
leave a/c, it only takes some hp when its on anyway, remove power steering, u will get a better feel of the road with out it

-Shawn

allenbillings

I live in the Phoenix metro area. Unless I was gutting the interior and just going full race trim I would NEVER think of pulling the A/C. As a matter of fact, I am going to pull the whole A/C unit out of my wife's car and completely rebuild it with barrier hoses and the proper compressor and fittings for R143a next month. I did it to my son's Supra Turbo and it only cost me $571 including all the hoses, a new condensor and a rebuilt compressor and clutch. Well worth the bucks.

As for the power steering....I just pulled the power steering off of my wife's 91 RX7 and replaced it with a manual rack and pinion. I didn't have an option since the rack and pinion unit was leaking power steering fluid from the driver's side. I found the manual unit on eBay and got it for $78.01. Very little difference in steering effort between the power and manual except when parallel parking and then it's bearable.

Ryde _Or_Die

Your wife doesn't mind no power steering?

88 SE

heh i hear that. Here in Phoenix i use my AC about 11 out of 12 months of the year.

dr0x

I removed ps and am just plugging all the lines. I know a few people who have done this and no problems with the current rack. I dont think Im going to waste the money buying a manual rack for it. But I would never remove ac.

Ryde _Or_Die

Is Mars that hot?

ra ra rotory

I would say, for the what 20 pounds and like 5 hp, leave it in unless your car is just a race car, or a second car that you only want to mod or something, i like having cruise power steering and ac, its just nice i wouldent remove just for a few hp, its not gunna make you that much faster at all

West TX RX-7

Well it's definately not a race only car, mainly weekend warrior and autoX. I've opened a web album and posted some pics of my ride. The Viper in the album is a friend's of mine and were taken on our way to the first autox I ever ran. I also posted the time sheet from that event so you can all see how I did vs the Viper. We were the only 2 in ASP.

My 88TII Album

Thanks for the input and advise all

dr0x

Not having power steering gives you a better feel or the road. Its not only about power. Plus it takes more power than youd think

allenbillings

The wife said she barely notices the difference. Remember, though, that I put in a manual rack and pinion. It has more turns lock-to-lock because it is geared lower than a power unit. Just taking off the pump and looping the lines was not an option in my case due to the major seal leak on the rack and pinion. She (my wife) would probably not have been as satisified if I had just removed the pump and reused the power rack and pinion assembly.
As luck would have it, I just found the special tool kit that I needed to repair the power rack and pinion on eBay for $56. The rebuild kit is only $130 at the dealer, so I may just rebuild it and use it on my other RX7 later.

BlackRx7

you sissy's I live in San Antonio and survived the last 3 summers without A/C it may not be comfy when you first get in but once the A/C 40 kick in its all good, plus if your riding with a girl tell her to wear a bathing suit cause you have no a/c besides FC a/c sux ***! if I want a/c I'll drive my moms grand marqui.....

dr0x

If your ac was weak it probably needed to be recharged. You can sit there sweating, I will sit in my car being cool and comfy.

Ryde _Or_Die

Same here. My AC works sooo damn good

Icemark

For a road car: There is no reason (other than just the weight of the parts) to remove the PS on a series 4 car or a series 5 T2, as it is not even running after about 40 MPH and is only running at about 20% boost at anything over 15 MPH and below 30 MPH.

If I was building a track car or autoX, then I might remove it for handling reasons (like the DTSS it sometimes confuses less experienced drivers with its step on and reduced steering boost at low speeds).

For AC, I like having cool air, again the minimal HP loss when it is on isn't worth the advantage of the weight. Hell, I sometimes even have had the air conditioning on while the top was down on my 'vert.

Again for a track car, and autoX I would leave it and just shut it off during the race for the extra little bit of HP. But anyone that has sat in a driver’s suit with nomex on, waiting for the start 20 minutes from now would appreciate the cooler interior.

BlackRx7

ya you'll sit there being nice and cool while I woop your *** in a race!

and having to wait 20 mins for cool air is bull!!!!!!!

Icemark

I don't know... how many races have you sat there waiting, and waiting with the sun beating down and the interior temp is 120F?... and how clear do you think, and how quick are your reactions at 120F.

with the air on before you race, you are much more comfortable.

and skill and control as a driver, will beat the uncomfortable, less clear headed driver with the car that has the 25 extra HP every time (not that removing the air and PS would even get you 1/4 of that 25 HP).