Ok, So I went to my first autocross this weekend, and I had a ton of fun and learned a lot about my car. However, today my arms are soooo sore. I really don’t like my power steering. My car is a S5 NA, so I believe I have RPM-sensitive steering. I do like the speed-sensitive PS in my friends S4 GXL. I’m told that the S5 Turbo had speed-sensitive PS. Does anyone know if they are the same? Is it at all feasible to consider switching my PS type? I’m already thinking about setting myself a training regimen, among other things I recognize the fact that the driver could use a little weight reduction. Does anyone have any useful general autocross preparation tips for me?

 

I know what you mean.

Speed sensing works fine, but the RPM sense was a dumb idea from the start.

Except for parking, the S5 NA is better with the pump removed, some of the fluid cycled out, and the lines from the rack hooked together.

I suspect the swap may not be worth the trouble.
Steering pump & plumbing differences?
Steering computer & sensor differences?
Harness differences - probably not.

 

you would never make it around some of the autox's that i go to with out PS. For instance, theres a TII with no PS that goes with me and he a pretty good driver, but the best he could do was somthing like 1:63 and i get a 1:56 in my N/A S5 with PS.
Your are are sore? how much do you weigh?! iv never had sore arms and im on a really tight course.

 

What he is talking about is how (at high revs in 1st) you can get ahead of the hydraulic fluid flow when trying to turn fast.
It's like the steering locks up on you.

This only happens with the RPM sensing S5 NA's.

You may be avoiding the issue by driving extra smoothly, so your turns are more gradual - which is good for autocross.
Or you've got a GTU.

 

OC_: Didn't your mama ever tell you is impolite to ask how much a lady weighs.......mebbe I should add the fact that I'm a girl to my sig....That's one of the reasons my arms are sore, I don't have as much bicep as you guys.

The courses I run on ARE very tight, they're set up by miata drivers...

 

oh.. my bad. I wouldn’t add that your a girl in your sig though.. theres a lot of guys here arnt going to be able to handle it!

 

I second that notion, dont put that you are a girl in your sig. I'll bet if you just do a search on 'girl' you'll see why.

I suggest you try some exercises to get your arms worked out for it. They probably wont hurt as much the next time you go, it's just that you are straining muscules you're not used to using that way, for that long.

 

Unfortunatly, you're right. I've pretty much become resigned to the idea that there are maybe 5 other chicks with fc's in california.

 

So, back to topic...

I used two diffrent loaner helmets this weekend, and I NEED to get my own. where is a good place to get one? SCCA Solo II regulations state I need a Snell 2000 helmet. I see SM2000, I assume those are motorcycle helmets, are those ok?

 

I got mine from http://www.safequipracingproducts.com/

It is a Bell M2 SA Rated. Cost 299.00. It is a full face helmet

 

What year is your FC? Not all S5 NAs had the RPM sensing PS. The 89 GXL and Convertible had the vehicle speed sensing PS like the S4 and all the Turbos with PS. I think the swap would be helpful because it will reduce the effort you need to put out plus the ratio is faster with the vehicle speed sensing system so you will need to turn the wheel less.

Ironically, on the highest performing FC sold only in Japan
(Infini IV based on the Turbo) had the RPM sensitive system becuase while it is slower, it gives better feel.

 

you can try www.helmetcity.com
im not sure what SCCA rules are, i run under the mid western councle and they say M rating is ok... i think thats pertty common.. the step up would be a SA rating, and those are pretty expensive. If you race wheel to wheel, you pretty much need one of those.

 

I'll go look up the exact wording, but we race one car at a time. And I have glasses, so an open face helmet would be best for me. I had horrible fogging problems.

 

like this?

http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PR...lsa/openfacesa

 

Check this out! my first dash plaque!

 

never let miata drivers set up the autocross course.............

you realy dont need the p/s ive done 2 autocrosses on mine and i've never felt like i couldnt turn fast enough. keep the front tire pressure up around 40 psi and you'le be fine. i'ven recovered from neer catastrophic losses of control without the PS, as sureshot can attest to from watching our helmet cam footage.

there realy is no dissadvantage to pulling the PS on an s5 N/A except when at an absolute standtill. and who cares about anything on these car's if it doesnt matter while you are moving?

 

Helmet City was still more expensive than my local supplier. If you have any inclination of wanting to try SOLO I or due any drvers schools invest in an SA Full Face helmet, If you wear glasses, just remove the faceshield for auto-cross.

 

you'll get used to anything that makes you sore after a few times. the muscle tears and heals and thats how you build muscle .

as for p/s....i really have yet to figure out which cars are which for p/s. i have an 89 gtu and my buddy has a 90 gtu and the p/s is kinda stiff, but its there. my other friend with an 89 gxl has p/s and you can turn his wheel with a single finger because it's so loose. if i could, i would prefer something in between...having it that loose irks me.

edit: hrrmmm you have a 91 so like there's only that one trim model. guess you have the stifferish p/s. maybe a gxl one would be better? anyone else with a gxl have p/s that seems super loose/free?

 

my buddy has an 86 gxl and his PS is nice and loose...

 

Depends on condition. I drove an '87 TII with power steering and it was a bit more firm like my BMW (poorly maintained TII.) But my '88 SE (extremely well maintained) has a nice free and loose feeling too. A bit "too" loose though for my liking though.

Although I do agree the S5's PS feels a bit weird but its not enough to make my arms sore or fight for control of the wheel. Maybe have your PS system checked out.

 

IT DOESNT MAKE YOU ARMS SORE PEOPLE!!!!

 

I pulled my belt off......I hate ps it makes me overcorrect and i have no road feel.....I love no ps and i got MUCH better times when i said f-it and cut the belt on my second set of runs.....my personal preference...

trevor

 

I can't think of what else might have made my arms sore. The auto-x was the only unaccustomed thing i did that weekend, and my arms HURT.

 

Did you do any work on your car prior to racing? The combination could have done it, but I do agree with trevor,I drive my car all day long and my arms never hurt. Yesterday I spent 4 hours wrenching on my car,and I'm still sore from that.

 

I spent Friday before the AutoX resetting my front suspension and my arms are fine. Those damned Miata drivers had the course set up with full-lock hairpins! It's no wonder you're sore with that steering gear ratio. I was flailing with my GXL! What you need is a nice S4 retrofit. It'll bring down your lap times, too. Bring your FSM over and we'll compare systems.