Power To Manual Steering
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Audi Information Station
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Annapolis, MD
Power To Manual Steering
I just prefer the manual steering, so I was just wondering if anyone has done a power to manual steering swap, or if there is a kit for that matter.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 256
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From: Salem, OR
I have a fd and got a manual steering rack from a fc. It's not bad at all. I can still turn with one hand. I removed my power steering and a/c. You have to do a little modification. Didn't need all that clutter!!!
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 814
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From: Canada
Manual all the way.
The Rx-7 is a light enough car, and the weight distribution is good enough that power steering isn't required.
You can save lots of weight by changing. Just taking out the pump and lines saves some weight (maybe 25 lbs) but that is actually more steering effort than just a broken pump.
By changing over to a manual steering rack, you can save more weight (maybe over 80lbs) and it's very easy to steer, more responsive, and you can get a better feel for the road.
Plus less clutter, and less parts possible to break.
The Rx-7 is a light enough car, and the weight distribution is good enough that power steering isn't required.
You can save lots of weight by changing. Just taking out the pump and lines saves some weight (maybe 25 lbs) but that is actually more steering effort than just a broken pump.
By changing over to a manual steering rack, you can save more weight (maybe over 80lbs) and it's very easy to steer, more responsive, and you can get a better feel for the road.
Plus less clutter, and less parts possible to break.
PV = nRT
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,250
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From: New Zealand (was California)
Sponge,
25 lb reduction from removing the pump, but 80 lb reduction from removing the power steering rack?
No.
Weight reduction from a straight manual rack compared to a manual w/ power assist fitted rack is not more than 5 lb.
Removing the pump and lines is not more effort than leaving the pump installed but not driven by a belt - in fact, it's less effort in the former.
25 lb reduction from removing the pump, but 80 lb reduction from removing the power steering rack?
No.
Weight reduction from a straight manual rack compared to a manual w/ power assist fitted rack is not more than 5 lb.
Removing the pump and lines is not more effort than leaving the pump installed but not driven by a belt - in fact, it's less effort in the former.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 814
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From: Canada
I did a bit of touch up research on this. I couldn't find any hard evidence where people had done the conversion and weighed the differences. I found a few claims though...
10-25 lbs came up a lot when talking about removing the pump (including brackets, etc)
It was hard to find info on the rack, but I found a few numbers mentioned: 20 lbs, 60lbs, and 100lbs difference. Hmm.
So basically, this is of no help, I have no idea what the weight savings are. I'm going to do some more research, see what I can come up with, b/c it's something that really should be known.
I think there used to be a listing of weight of parts on www.fc3s-pro.com that *might* have had the racks listed, but the site is down now.
Also, is there different ratios between the two racks?
10-25 lbs came up a lot when talking about removing the pump (including brackets, etc)
It was hard to find info on the rack, but I found a few numbers mentioned: 20 lbs, 60lbs, and 100lbs difference. Hmm.
So basically, this is of no help, I have no idea what the weight savings are. I'm going to do some more research, see what I can come up with, b/c it's something that really should be known.
I think there used to be a listing of weight of parts on www.fc3s-pro.com that *might* have had the racks listed, but the site is down now.
Also, is there different ratios between the two racks?
Last edited by Sponge Bob Square Pants; Jan 16, 2004 at 11:28 PM.
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Glug Glug Glug Burp
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From: Scott AFB, IL
Here's all the information you need my friend. Jason is the man! 
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=224664
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=224664
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,639
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From: MIA
Quick question. Manual, as in just straight line through?? My father is into his old Bel Airs, and he this thing called *poor mans* power steering that works with bearings. They feeling is good, you can park ALOT easier and you still get that "manuaL" feeling. Possible to do this to an FD?
Glug Glug Glug Burp
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Scott AFB, IL
Did you guys read the discussion in the link I posted? I didn't read through all of it.. But there's a lot of information there..
The Power assisted rack in the FD is manual at the core, yes. But I can promise you that the FD rack looped and plugged and a manual rack from a FC feel completely different. I've had both. There are others here that will agree..
Jimlab has some great information on fully converting the FD rack to manual and what it costs and the difference in ratios between the FD and FC racks... All you have to do is search around a little bit. This topis has had the living **** beat out of it on several occasions...
The Power assisted rack in the FD is manual at the core, yes. But I can promise you that the FD rack looped and plugged and a manual rack from a FC feel completely different. I've had both. There are others here that will agree..
Jimlab has some great information on fully converting the FD rack to manual and what it costs and the difference in ratios between the FD and FC racks... All you have to do is search around a little bit. This topis has had the living **** beat out of it on several occasions...
PV = nRT
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,250
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From: New Zealand (was California)
Yep.
The only reason I'm not running the FC rack is because I'd rather not move up in ratio - I want down.
I myself am looking at the possibility of adapting an S2000 rack to an FD.
The only reason I'm not running the FC rack is because I'd rather not move up in ratio - I want down.
I myself am looking at the possibility of adapting an S2000 rack to an FD.
Glug Glug Glug Burp
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Scott AFB, IL
Originally posted by clayne
Yep.
The only reason I'm not running the FC rack is because I'd rather not move up in ratio - I want down.
I myself am looking at the possibility of adapting an S2000 rack to an FD.
Yep.
The only reason I'm not running the FC rack is because I'd rather not move up in ratio - I want down.
I myself am looking at the possibility of adapting an S2000 rack to an FD.
Super Snuggles
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 34
From: Redmond, WA
Originally posted by jdhuegel1
There is a place (forgot the name) that does the full manual conversion to the FD rack.. Might go that route. I think it's like 115.00 or something.
There is a place (forgot the name) that does the full manual conversion to the FD rack.. Might go that route. I think it's like 115.00 or something.
www.mavalgear.com
Glug Glug Glug Burp
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From: Scott AFB, IL
Originally posted by jimlab
Maval Gear, $165.00 for the conversion, $60 extra if you don't want to send them your rack for the core.
www.mavalgear.com
Maval Gear, $165.00 for the conversion, $60 extra if you don't want to send them your rack for the core.
www.mavalgear.com
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