De-Powered vs. Power Steering
 

Is anyone sliding around with a depowered rack on a competition level?

Reason I ask is, its 3:10am and i just got back from a night out doing a shakedown on the fc with the "new" power steering setup. Ive have never spun out so much in my life. I felt like i was having to relearn drifting.

Ive been running a depowered rack since ive owned the TII and have never been so sloppy before. Im having a very hard time particularly with transitioning. I feel like the steering is so easy that im countering either wayy to fast or not late enough.

I reassembled my power steering because I sat in the pits at a recent proam event and the only one running manual was a corolla. I know that manual has "bump steer" issues and people say theyve had the wheel ripped from there hands but i figure the power rack wouldnt have it as bad. Im a little worried about being able to counter fast enough if coming from a 3rd gear bank ti a tight 2nd.

Main point im trying to make is, does anyone have first hand exp competing with a depowered or manual rack and issues if any did you have to overcome?

Aside from the issues of less feedback from the wheel, there is also the fact that the power steering is speed or RPM sensative, which means it will always feel different every corner. Idealy you should go electric power steering which you can set however you want, but it won't be cheap.

Riz.

I read about that. I feel like im drifting blind. Its the only way i can explain it lol. like i cant feel my countersteer lol

Ive been reading the fsm and fail safe mode on the pump is it stays on the stiff setting in event of some electrical failure or wrong signal. So im thinking if i just unhook the sensors on the pump itself should i get a consistent feedback feel?

My car has a powerbrack without a pump.

Yea if you just screw with the pump it will run on one setting. My pump is disconnected, and I love the light assisted feel. I feel like it's really easy to throw the wheel and make the car transition faster.

Dude! Check your PM! Really interested... :-)

Riz.

pmed you too bro!

yeah savanna. i got the same problem as you. in my case i feel like im kinda guessing on how much i have to countersteer. Its either i do it too much or too less. In my friends fc, he just initiates and lets the car countersteer then catches the wheel. With my setup i gotta initiate and do some of the countersteer my self. It sucks man :/ been tryna figure it out. Ive messed with alignment settings, switching back to stock knuckles, checking caster. I even welded up the lines for s4 ps pump so its just one feed and one return line.

can anyone tell me his experiences with a completly depowered rack in a fd3s? (not unly just disconnected lines, also removed "piston" if you know what i mean)

I'm used to drift cars with power steering (2 fc3's, bmw double e30, e36, e34, e46, s13, s14, r32, r33...) but I eventually want to get rid of my PS setup on my FD because of weight, airflow inside the bay and cleanup! (never drifted the fd chassis before...)

I will run 235-255 in the front.

power steering and knuckles, fuck none PS cars to hard to park to get groceries hhahahhahahhahaa, just keep it or dont, but i like having PS real talk

thanks for your input...

btw., I FUCKING love your car!
Your FD is a true inspiration for me! So get out of this thread and update your build-story! ;) Your car was one of the reasons for me to get a fd chassis! *thumbs up*

Alright so i went to the drift event last sunday with the power steering setup and its wasnt too bad. I kept spinning out on the last hairpin. But after several runs it becMe easier to predict. Next event is the 6th so ill have another go at it. I do however feel power steering is nice when your going 50mph sideways and have to snap the other direction quickly

I have a depowered racket...but it I warn you guys if you drive a lot in cities and get lot's of traffic DON'T PUT ONE...or you go gym everytime you have to manoeuvre.

I drifted with it and was very stable(low speed) BUT really hard to steer...or you'll initiate well or you're history...

if you do a lot of road with the FC then it's the perfect setup! in motion is really "light"(but forget while full stop!)!!!

I weigh 135 and run a 245 in front with no PS (FD); PS is NOT needed, so stop your belly aching ;)

Running without power steering is OK if you need to. But ultimately it totally sucks when you are tandeming and following someone.

My PS blew out on me at XDC irwindale last year and it was pretty shitty. Lead runs were no sweat and I actually didn't mind no PS. But following someone was super tough. Trying to suck up, stick to their line, use the ebrake, etc was so much shittier since the wheel was constantly fighting it.

I've always ran PS and personally love the feel. My car is still super snappy and transitions crazy fast.

exactly without PS it's really hard...and at high speed its a tricky one...either you can control it or you're gone...of course if you have strength you can try to correct it at the hard way but when you got a close gap for manoeuvre it's complicated...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92LLHftXdqE

see on the vid how she snaps?!!

Hope to have helped ;)

(PS: yeah I regard on D skills too)