Might be 20 lbs worth of garbage... maybe more. Hard to say on HP. Did I mention that I can change all four plugs now from the top, without removing anything significant?

 

I can change all 4 plugs in under 5 mins now

 

Mine are still full of fluid, yes. You won't believe the difference once you switch over.....I feel like I am driving a different car

 

LOL

 

I've got 18's 245's up front. The steering effort is minorly more than before (to me) It sounds like the majority of the people on this board need to go eat some wheaties and get into a freakin gym! It is not that bad once you are moving more than 4-5 mph.

 

Anybody know what sizes the three fittings are in the gotham kit? Also anyone know the hose size? Anyone use stainless steel braided? Or can you w/ those fittings? I guess everyone is still running a main pulley w/ two belt placements. Someone should come up w/ a single driven main pully..It would look a bit cleaner that way.

 

Any one have a photo of what the kit looks like when its installd ??
And is this easy to install my self ?

 

Yes it is very easy!!! the biggest pia is removing the p/s system itself. Once thats out of the way the gotham kit is quite easy to figure out.
You can also do it using the stock lines...just a matter of hacking one of them up, looping it around so it connects to the other fitting on the rack.
I used the gotham kit just cause it looks decent and its $35.00. The only difference is while not moving or rolling at slow speeds. Then again, i do have the new Falken Azenis 255/40 up front. I'm a small guy, 140lbs soaking wet and able to turn it no problem so dont let that discourage you. Once youre moving you wont even be able to tell the difference. It cleans up the engine bay big time and might free up some hp. In my opinion a good, easy, cheap mod!!!!

 

2FAST7S , did you remove the A/C as well? I think I'd like to remove my power steering, but I'm not willing to give up air conditioning just yet.

-s-

 

I'll take a picture for you tonight of my Gotham kit installed.

 

Thx alot !!

 

Two things to think about (or dream) for those with money and time. First, they have new electric power steering kits, some of which are speed sensitive. Two, try fitting a manual steering rack out of a Porsche 993. They're the pinnacle of front end feel and they have a great manual rack. Not sure how much work it would be but I may look into it with the assistance of my local Porsche tuner shop (owner is a good friend).
Michel

 

I would think that matching the geometry of a Porsche rack would be tough, and any "feel" possibly gained would be negated by incorrect geometry/bumpsteer.

I would once again advocate just getting a properly converted manual rack from Maval. I'm not sure there's any incredible steering rack technology that Porsche uses that nobody else does... it's just precision and the right ratio.

 

The rack doesn't have beans to do with how the steering feels other than its ratio. Steering feel come from the geometrical relationship between the hub, spindle, king pin axis and inclination and wheel offset.

Disabling the power steering by removing the pump does absolutely nothing for steering feel other than require more effort to turn the wheel. Here's an analogy: If I can speak in a normal tone of voice and you can understand me, then my screaming at the top of my lungs doesn't somehow increase your understanding. You heard and understood my message both times, one just hurts your ears.

 

You must not spend much time up around 140 mph...

At very low speeds, it can definitely make the car more difficult to turn, but typically only in a parking scenario, where some people want to be able to crank the wheels lock to lock while sitting in one spot. It's like trying to push a non-running car around a shop; once in motion, turning the wheels is easy, even with no power assist. At 15+ mph, though, it's a non-issue unless you're on an autocross course, and if you autocross, leave the power steering in. It's as simple as that.

At high speed, primitive speed-sensing power assist systems like the FD allow too much ambiguity in road feedback and make the car too darty, or at least that's my opinion and experience. The car felt rock-solid after eliminating power steering and I'd never go back. If it makes parking a little more difficult, change your method of parking. I never had a problem.

 

I am running a setup like this---I am only using one of the stock main crank pullies (deleted p/s and a/c).

 

My ac is gone too.. Got a pic?

 

140 no. Motorsport Ranch where I spend the most track time only has a short front straight where I typically only hit about 115 mph. I think the FD has excellent steering feedback perfectly stock. Maybe you just don't know how to listen hard enough

Of course my car is also setup to take advantage of R compound tires but the suspension and drivetrain is still wildly stock compared to most FD's; tracked or not.

 

I too just removed my PS with the "loop". IMHO it definitely feels much better. I get a much better sense of how the road feels. I will confirm this at Mid Ohio next month, but I suspect I will never go back. Over the winter I will do the Mavalgear upgrade though (for safety).

Issues about PS and parking concerns is similar to the non sequential vs. sequential debate. Change your driving habits and everything works simpler.

R

 

Why spend money on a kit to do the job improperly? You're still pumping fluid back and forth inside the rack. Have a look at the thread linked below and give it a try. I'd be shocked if the FC and FD steering racks are different enough to have this mod not work in the same way for FD's as it can for FC's. This will decrease effort and reduce stress on the rack over having looped lines. It may be more work to do it this way, but it'll be worth it.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/how-de-power-your-steering-rack-right-way-440198/

I've changed my mind on the 15:1 ratio racks after driving mine for a while longer and having heard all this feedback from drivers using 15:1 manual conversions.

 

Good find!

-s-

 

Probably because you had your ratios backwards. The FC manual racks are not desirable because of the higher ratio. Just FYI, all of the quick ratio aftermarket racks that I researched were also 15.0:1.

1986-87 FC manual rack
Ratio: 20.3:1
Turns: 3.5 lock to lock

1993-95 FD converted manual rack
Ratio: 15.0:1
Turns: 2.9 lock to lock

The Maval Gear conversion is identical to the one outlined on the site you linked to, BTW. However, they go a step further and remove the fittings and smooth the rack for additional clearance for engine swaps, and by request, weld the FD quill shaft to eliminate the ~5° of free play.

 

Nice, i'm thinking of getting one of these...

Jay7...

 

yea ill second that Jay7

 

I know the FC manual rack is a 20.3:1 ratio, but the power racks aren't. They come in 17.4:1 and 15.2:1. That's what I was reffering to, power racks converted to manual.