Yes, it's a 15.2:1 power steering rack that looks like it's been converted. The 3 ports on the top drivers side of the pinion shaft area tells us that it's a speed sensing rack, which means it's a 15.2:1.

 

What do you mean converted??

EDIT: Ok, now I know what ports everyone is talking about. I thought it was the ones with the hoses coming out of them. There are only two, which is why i was confused as to which rack it was (came from '86, but only two ports).

 

I still don't get what you guys mean by "ports", still a rx-7 newbie here xD. Anyone mind telling me?

 

Theses are the "ports"...

Note that this rack has only two (it's a 17.4:1 from a '91 NA)- the third boss is undrilled. If it were drilled, like the one pictured in the above post, it would be the quicker 15:1 rack.

Just FYI...
Removing the inner tie rods is a stone bitch.
Not only are the flats relatively narrow but they're also a bit tapered which makes the wrench slide off if you're not careful. I measured with a caliper and got between .939 and .946 so I tried both a 15/16" and a 24mm open end, neither of which gave me very good purchase.
I'm still trying to get the passenger side end off (from the write ups it looks like you could actually leave the driver's side in place but I could be wrong about that...) but it's looking grim.
Fortunately, I have a few to play with so my fingers are crossed...

 

Just to clarify, do you mean that my rack has already been converted to manual?

 

I think he's saying that because of the way it was crudely chopped off of whatever vehicle it came from.

If it was "converted" it still needs converted. The seals need to be removed from the rack internally, and the ports all need to be sealed up. They don't need to hold pressure, just keep dirt out.

 

You can leave the PASSENGER's side one on, not the driver's side. It MUST come off to get the rack apart. I used a UBF (Ultimate Bolt F**ker, a really big crescent wrench) and put the rack in a big vice, worked fine.

 

plumbers wrench

 

Well, in my case at least, the point has become moot.
I decided to quit screwing with depowering this spare rack and just install the true manual rack I also have.

Since there is considerable sentiment on this forum that it's hard to second guess the Mazda engineers I'm going to go with the ratio they decided was appropriate and see how I like it.
I'm thinking that since my wheels and tires are larger than stock (225/50/16) that the "slower" ratio might just be the best compromise between "feel" and "livability".

We'll see how it goes...

* what is with "the server is too busy" crap anyway?*

 

I have the same size tires (225/50-16) and the stock manual rack and its not too hard to turn. It will be a shock at first, but you get used to it fast.
And the "server too busy" stuff is exactly what it says, the server is too busy to process whatever you are doing. I suspect that they are doing maintenance on one sever so it is at half capacity or something since they just upgraded not too long ago.

 

Meh, I've got 225/45/17's, RE070's to be exact, the OEM tires from the WRX STi and I drive it every day with manual steering and I like it. It was fine at the track with my 225/50/15 race tires too.

But if you've got a manual rack already, why not, use it and see if you like manual, then if you want a faster ratio then go back and do the conversion. Otherwise if you're happy with it the way it is, sell the extra rack, or if you're unhappy then put it back and sell the manual rack.

 

I'm having a shop install the manual rack because I don't have the tools or room to do it myself. I know what I like, and I would rather just get it done in one shot. I also have a '78 RX so I know for a fact I like manual a lot better. I drove my friend's '02 GTI 1.8T that has poly bushings, most of the interior removed, OZ wheels/nice tires, and a few other little handling mods, not to mention his suspension is 13 years newer. I drove it, and couldn't stand it with the power steering. I liked the fact that it was pretty stiff, but I have a better feel for the car and how it's going to react with manual steering.