Hey everyone,
I replacing the engine in my GXL and I have a manual rack from an '87 base model.
Since the engines are going to be out of both cars, should I swap the non ps one into my gxl?
I like how the base model's streering righ tnow, but I wouldn't mind PS I just don't know the general consensus on the RX7's about this.

 

There is no "general consensus".
Some folks like PS, some don't.
Some say tomato, some say salsa.

 

Some also say depower the power steering one the right way and keep it since it feels better, I dont know since I havent done it so cant say how much better it is.

 

i have a depowered rack. i like it, but it is kind of a pita when parking

 

i have a car with p/s a de-powered rack and a manual and i love the manual steering, de-powered steering is a pain to steer when not moving the car, my p/s car is beautiful steering but hate it when im drifting around

 

If you decide to change out the power steering rack for a Manual Rack,remember that the Power Steering racks have different MOUNTS and Tie rods on the Passenger side.
The manual rack has a smaller Mounts than the Power rack.so do not Forget to take the Mounts(that is the clamps that hold the rack to the Frame).
make sure that you take the tie rods too(OUTER is different on a manual..the Power rack has the same Tie rod for both sides..the manual has One that is interchangeable with the power rack but the Passenger side is a different Tie rod all together).

 

The inner tie rods are only different on 86-88 manual racks...S5 racks- both manual and power- have interchangeable parts.

 

Mine are both S4's, it looks like I'm gonna keep teh P/s.
I don't want to swap the whole mounts and everything + tie rods :P my lazy butt.
I'm almost ready to pull the first engine+tranny, just need to take off the driveshaft and the exhaust.
It appears that I have an aftermarket front sway bar too
thanks for the info fellas

 

The manual rack will swap right in, you don't have to do anything to the inner tie rods unless one of them is bad.
The "mounts" are just the brackets that clamp the rack to the subframe and they have to come off to remove the old rack anyway, so there's no extra work involved.

It's really not a big deal to change from PS to manual steering.

 

I don;t want to start a new thread.

I pulled out #1 engine, tipped it on it's side and a ceramic shard fell outta soewhere,
I picked it up and it cut the **** outta my fingre!
where did it come from?

 

What does it look like? Could be a piece of the exhaust diffuser, or maybe a piece of seal or carbon.

I'd either go with the manual rack, or pick up a TII rack and depower it. The TII racks have a better ratio than the GXL racks if you're not running them with a pump.

 

I have put a s4 rack into a s4 car- went right in, tie rod ends and all.

I have put a S4 rack into a S5 car, had to get mounts, ends were the same.

For others reading the mounts are NLA from mazda so if you buy a used rack try to get the mount with it, otherwise you can take it to a shop and match up a sway bar mount- which is what I had to do for my S5 car.

 

i had a ps rack that i de powered. its easy for me to drive in parking lots.

 

manual rack is awesome, it feels like power steering even when the car is off

 

I decided to keep it powered, it may help resale value.

It took me all day (9 hours off and on) to get the engine mounts, and drive-shaft in >
I didn't realize that only one side was slotted, then when I/we finally did (I called over my buddies to help) it took forever to get the first mount in.
I'm bolting up the tranny mounts now, gonna put in the shifter and the rest of the stuff will be a breeze I can't wait!