I wanted to get an opinion on what everyone thinks drives and feels the best on the road. I have a manual steering rack in my car right now. I also have the power steering rack for it with a power steering pump but it is not in the car. When I bought the car it already had the manual rack in. Not sure which to leave in the car right now. Wondering what everyone else thought.

 

Well how do you like what you alread have? It is a very subjective thing... some people prefer one some the other

I have a PS unit, but no pump, it takes some work at slow speed but it has a direct feel that PS would never give you. Planing to properly depower it soon.

 

I like it pretty good. At first it bothered me but I had and integra that didn't have the PS for over a year and got used to not having it haha. I don't know which would feel best on the road as far as getting a feel of the car and road.

 

manual rack feels much better to me.

it doesn't take much effort when not moving/low speeds, unless you have a vagina.

 

Im a firm believer of "If its not broke dont fix it". The manual rack gives you a positive steering feel while also being a low maintanence part. You dont need to keep tabs on lines for leaks, keep up with fluid in the pump, and with no pump in the way you have easy access to the spark plugs. At least this is what I think and wouldnt re-install PS in my FC ever again...

 

I don't think it is either but i also drove that integra to deliver pizzas about 100+ miles 5 days a week so I got used to it quick.

 

I have a manual rack in both cars and love them. However, I have heard from some people that a properly de-powered PS rack feels even better, but I've never experienced it myself. I'm considering trading one of my manual racks for my friend's power rack, so I can de-power it and try it out. I'll report back with results if I end up doing it.

 

Having driven a manual rack, a power steering rack, a powered rack with no pump, and a depowered rack...I can tell you its all subjective.

If you don't absolutely have to have the power steering, you might as well leave it off. The difference between the manual rack and the depowered rack is just the ratio. So unless you want a faster ratio you can leave the manual rack in. The depowerd rack is a bit harder to turn at a stop vs the manual rack. The power steering feels like it will make a complete revolution if you sneeze on the wheel to hard.

 

What do you mean by a depowered rack? Also, what is the difference in ratios and how does it affect the driving?

 

http://forum.teamfc3s.org/showthread.php?t=54847

 

A depowered is a power steering rack that has been converted to a manual rack.

The ratios effect the speed of the wheels as you turn left to right. A faster (higher) ratio will turn the wheels faster but be harder to turn while a slower (smaller) ratio will be easier to turn but move the wheels less.

 

my first fc, had a manual rack. It was fine, steering effort was heavy in tighty spots but not unreasonable.

my current fc came w/ a power rack, it felt a little lighter, and the road feel wasn't quite as sensitive but I prefer it since the ratio is a little tighter and it makes countersteering a bit easier (I also had an "unfortunate situation" cuased by the slower ratio manual rack)

 

personally I really like the power steering on these cars - I'm a casual driver with some spirited driving thrown in the mix. If I was a racer and NEEDED the exact feel for the road I would do manual, but for just cruising around and enjoying the ride, sign me up for power steering.

 

I am probably going to take my car to the track quite a bit. Thats why I wanted to know. Other than that I just want to get it out on the weekend and on nice days mainly.