Power Steering vs No PS | Nardi 99 Spec Wheel vs Sparco Champion
07-30-21, 10:22 AM
#1
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Power Steering vs No PS | Nardi 99 Spec Wheel vs Sparco Champion
During downtime at work did a lot of searching and couldn't conclusively find any real member experiences of the 99 spec Nardi steering wheel that ZE Power sells on here vs other steering wheels, particularly the Sparco R383 Champion steering wheel.
If I were to order the Sparco Champion steering wheel, I will get the plug n play hub off RHDJapan that also ensures I get no airbag light, but if the Nardi steering wheel is functionally just as "good" I wouldn't mind this wheel at all.
From what I've searched, the Nardi 99 spec is 370mm, as opposed to the non-99 spec 380mm contrasted to a Sparco 330mm, the better choice seems like the smaller one for faster steering. I'm likely going to keep power steering (for now), unless there's a compelling reason to delete it down the road after some experience on the road with the car. Any thoughts or commentary to help me make this decision would be helpful.
Thanks
If I were to order the Sparco Champion steering wheel, I will get the plug n play hub off RHDJapan that also ensures I get no airbag light, but if the Nardi steering wheel is functionally just as "good" I wouldn't mind this wheel at all.
From what I've searched, the Nardi 99 spec is 370mm, as opposed to the non-99 spec 380mm contrasted to a Sparco 330mm, the better choice seems like the smaller one for faster steering. I'm likely going to keep power steering (for now), unless there's a compelling reason to delete it down the road after some experience on the road with the car. Any thoughts or commentary to help me make this decision would be helpful.
Thanks
07-30-21, 11:34 AM
#2
IMO, you should keep P/S. Manual steering can work for cars that are older than the FD that have really skinny tires and less weight on the front end. The FD was built in the 1990s and has "modern" levels of grip, which necessitates power steering. The car will feel less lively without it.
The smaller the steering wheel, the quicker the steering ratio and the higher the steering effort. Going too small actually means you have less fine control over the steering. I would not go below 350mm.
The smaller the steering wheel, the quicker the steering ratio and the higher the steering effort. Going too small actually means you have less fine control over the steering. I would not go below 350mm.
Last edited by c0rbin9; 07-30-21 at 11:46 AM.
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Jatt (07-30-21)
07-30-21, 02:38 PM
#3
I had the old stock wheel with p/s and I always felt it was overboosted and sorta numb. I swapped to a 350mm momo wheel and was shocked to feel how much of a positive difference it made. Feels way more responsive now. It also feels much heavier while just putting around at very low speeds, but not too bad. I would not want to feel what it would be like with a full manual rack, I think that would be very challenging and not enjoyable. I also probably wouldn't want anything much smaller even with p/s.
My buddy has an FD with the Nardi wheel. I've driven it and I'd say it too is a good improvement over the stock wheel. You still loose a lot of that overboosted feeling but it doesn't make the low speed steering feel as weighty.
My buddy has an FD with the Nardi wheel. I've driven it and I'd say it too is a good improvement over the stock wheel. You still loose a lot of that overboosted feeling but it doesn't make the low speed steering feel as weighty.
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Jatt (07-30-21)
07-30-21, 02:56 PM
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so with a small wheel, they can block the gauges.. other than that its preference.
i remember trying manual steering back in the day. the stock steering is really light, but you can position the car with your fingertips. the manual steering, i spent all of my effort just getting the wheel turned. so keeping the PS was much better for me.
i grew up in 1st gens too, so i like slow high effort steering (and about an inch of slop, red interior is a must...)
i remember trying manual steering back in the day. the stock steering is really light, but you can position the car with your fingertips. the manual steering, i spent all of my effort just getting the wheel turned. so keeping the PS was much better for me.
i grew up in 1st gens too, so i like slow high effort steering (and about an inch of slop, red interior is a must...)
07-30-21, 05:54 PM
#5
07-30-21, 06:57 PM
#6
after deleting ps in my fd i am now an advocate for removing it. the car feels infinitely better without it. i have a 2xxMM wheel in my car with 255s in the front and its a beautiful feeling every time i drive. a ps equipped fd isnt bad at all but comparatively a non ps fd is much better. my wife is all of 130lbs and drives my car just fine and has been for years. being an ADULT MAN, i also have no discomfort or issue driving the car. even at a stand still it requires a little more than normal effort to move the wheel but its by no means a chore.
i still have the ps rack in the car but i have filled it with a cocktail of greases, oils and lubricants along with leaving the in and out ports vented. its been this way since 2014 without issue. deleting ps is a much better move for any fd. this fear people have living without it is irrational. its a creature comfort for sure but if youre in a modified fd and use it to exercise the concept of driving pleasure, deleting ps will only enhance that. for those that only use their fd for shows, driving down the street or highway pulls....... you may be better off keeping it since a relaxed sports car driving experience is more likely your groove.
the fd is a sports car that can offer extreme levels of excitement and driver-machine communication. ps is a trilple layer condom for steering feedback. of course we all have different preferences but an fd without ps is rock lee without the ankle weights....
i still have the ps rack in the car but i have filled it with a cocktail of greases, oils and lubricants along with leaving the in and out ports vented. its been this way since 2014 without issue. deleting ps is a much better move for any fd. this fear people have living without it is irrational. its a creature comfort for sure but if youre in a modified fd and use it to exercise the concept of driving pleasure, deleting ps will only enhance that. for those that only use their fd for shows, driving down the street or highway pulls....... you may be better off keeping it since a relaxed sports car driving experience is more likely your groove.
the fd is a sports car that can offer extreme levels of excitement and driver-machine communication. ps is a trilple layer condom for steering feedback. of course we all have different preferences but an fd without ps is rock lee without the ankle weights....
07-30-21, 07:08 PM
#7
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after deleting ps in my fd i am now an advocate for removing it. the car feels infinitely better without it. i have a 2xxMM wheel in my car with 255s in the front and its a beautiful feeling every time i drive. a ps equipped fd isnt bad at all but comparatively a non ps fd is much better. my wife is all of 130lbs and drives my car just fine and has been for years. being an ADULT MAN, i also have no discomfort or issue driving the car. even at a stand still it requires a little more than normal effort to move the wheel but its by no means a chore.
i still have the ps rack in the car but i have filled it with a cocktail of greases, oils and lubricants along with leaving the in and out ports vented. its been this way since 2014 without issue. deleting ps is a much better move for any fd. this fear people have living without it is irrational. its a creature comfort for sure but if youre in a modified fd and use it to exercise the concept of driving pleasure, deleting ps will only enhance that. for those that only use their fd for shows, driving down the street or highway pulls....... you may be better off keeping it since a relaxed sports car driving experience is more likely your groove.
the fd is a sports car that can offer extreme levels of excitement and driver-machine communication. ps is a trilple layer condom for steering feedback. of course we all have different preferences but an fd without ps is rock lee without the ankle weights....
i still have the ps rack in the car but i have filled it with a cocktail of greases, oils and lubricants along with leaving the in and out ports vented. its been this way since 2014 without issue. deleting ps is a much better move for any fd. this fear people have living without it is irrational. its a creature comfort for sure but if youre in a modified fd and use it to exercise the concept of driving pleasure, deleting ps will only enhance that. for those that only use their fd for shows, driving down the street or highway pulls....... you may be better off keeping it since a relaxed sports car driving experience is more likely your groove.
the fd is a sports car that can offer extreme levels of excitement and driver-machine communication. ps is a trilple layer condom for steering feedback. of course we all have different preferences but an fd without ps is rock lee without the ankle weights....
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07-30-21, 11:41 PM
#10
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Felt insecure making another thread because of the common 'use the search bar' reply, but just saying the thought process and perspectives of everyone is helpful. Good supplement when you can't really meet many rotorheads in person.
08-03-21, 03:48 AM
#11
Electric Power Steering option
Another option, remove the hydrolic PS (cleans up engine bay) then add PS back in with a conversion to electric Power Steering:
"RX7 FD Electric Power Steering Kit - ePowerSteering.com" https://epowersteering.com/purchase/product/rx7-fd
Actually, I just sent in my steering column to them this afternoon! (This mod aligns with my still researching electric water pump install.) Uninstall of the shaft is pretty straight forward, then remove key lock by using Dremel to carve a slot for a screwdriver. Also, to accommodate these electric counterparts, I have an incoming IRP 140 Amp alternator on the way as well.
A review from a Miata guy with 285 'slicks' is here:
There is **** to dial in the 'strength' of the assist, I imagine near full manual steering remains an option when dialed down /off.
A question for another thread: with hydrolic PS system removed, we still need to complete the "full" process of converting the steering rack to manual?
-Ed
"RX7 FD Electric Power Steering Kit - ePowerSteering.com" https://epowersteering.com/purchase/product/rx7-fd
Actually, I just sent in my steering column to them this afternoon! (This mod aligns with my still researching electric water pump install.) Uninstall of the shaft is pretty straight forward, then remove key lock by using Dremel to carve a slot for a screwdriver. Also, to accommodate these electric counterparts, I have an incoming IRP 140 Amp alternator on the way as well.
A review from a Miata guy with 285 'slicks' is here:
A question for another thread: with hydrolic PS system removed, we still need to complete the "full" process of converting the steering rack to manual?
-Ed
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artowar (08-09-21)
08-03-21, 06:55 AM
#12
The Ancient
I swapped the stock steering for a billet aluminum manual rack that's a little quicker (12:1?) than stock ratio in maybe 2010 when I was on 17X8.5 wheels with a 350mm Momo wheel and it was great, although a little heavy at parking speeds. Tremendous feel and very quick. When I went to 18X9.5 wheels with 255/35 tires, the car became very difficult and uncomfortable to drive at parking speeds. Still awesome once you're rolling, though. Like grinn253^ I'm sending a column to epowersteering.com to add the electric power steering. I plan to turn it on and up when I start the car and once rolling turn it off. I think I might be able to control it with my Motec 800 ECU to turn it on below a certain speed and off above that.
08-03-21, 07:48 AM
#13
Racing Rotary Since 1983
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i love my manual steering (since 1999). it is one of my favorite mods and works just fine for me on track. i believe it wouldn't work optimally in short tight autocross situations. love road feel. i currently run 265/35/18 up front. quite a bit of driveability will relate to alignment settings.
that said, i am fascinated by electric power steering. for me it would depend a bit on how much room is taken up by the mechanism as the ability to easily get at the plugs trumps all.. any pics?
love the idea of setting up the gain thru my ECU (Link G4X Extreme) relating to speed.
that said, i am fascinated by electric power steering. for me it would depend a bit on how much room is taken up by the mechanism as the ability to easily get at the plugs trumps all.. any pics?
love the idea of setting up the gain thru my ECU (Link G4X Extreme) relating to speed.
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gmonsen (08-03-21)
08-03-21, 08:41 AM
#14
The Ancient
Howard... You probably went here already, but here's a link to the eps setup for the FD. It weighs 22 pounds and seems pretty small. I can't see why an ECU couldn't control it . You could probably set up a map of % assist versus speed pretty easily.
https://epowersteering.com/purchase/product/rx7-fd
https://epowersteering.com/purchase/product/rx7-fd
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