Manual rack vs power steering
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Rotary AE86
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Garden Grove, cali
i now prefer manual rack over power steering and because i choose to have it depowered i beleive that for MY driving pleasure it works
OH BTW MY GF DRIVES MY COROLLA TO WORK SOMETIMES AND DOESNT COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT HAVING P/S
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 4
From: San Jose, CA (NorCal/S.F. Bay Area)
^ Your girl is gonna get mannish arms lol. My gf drives her vert with no power steering and I am all over getting it back to power steering. Girls with fit arms are just gross.
If anyone is worried about feedback, i dunno if it's from being slammed or what but i feel EVERY little thing my front end is doing via the steering wheel and it's all stock ps. I wouldn't dream of driving my car with a manual rack and as i sit now, i'm running a little bit of toe out up front and alot of camber. I do have to man handle my car just grip driving. I'm sore from last night. Arms are sore, legs are sore. What a workout! 
I have a full manual on my TII and I'm a little worried. I intend to track my car some day doing HPDE events. How do people manage? I figure I need to get myself in shape but I wonder if I can handle it regardless. I'm glad I have a driveway as p-parking would not be pleasant...
There's trade offs between ps and a manual rack.
With a manual rack, you'll get more direct steering feel, but steering will require more effort, which isn't a big deal if you're a guy with at least moderate shoulder strength. But it's one of those things that some people will end up hating after a few minutes.
As far engine performance, you won't feel a difference in power by not driving the ps pump. If you'd like to know what manual steering is like, turn the key to ACC and turn the wheels back and forth a few times to simulate a parking situation. Then try coasting (engine off, safe environment) and steering, as it's easier to turn the wheels with the car rolling. It's not terrible. It's a matter of preference.
However for some of us, our daily-driven cars are already pretty hardcore street race cars, and anything more towards that end would just be too much.
With a manual rack, you'll get more direct steering feel, but steering will require more effort, which isn't a big deal if you're a guy with at least moderate shoulder strength. But it's one of those things that some people will end up hating after a few minutes.
As far engine performance, you won't feel a difference in power by not driving the ps pump. If you'd like to know what manual steering is like, turn the key to ACC and turn the wheels back and forth a few times to simulate a parking situation. Then try coasting (engine off, safe environment) and steering, as it's easier to turn the wheels with the car rolling. It's not terrible. It's a matter of preference.
However for some of us, our daily-driven cars are already pretty hardcore street race cars, and anything more towards that end would just be too much.
I had a blocked off PS rack (non gutted since that takes a good 8 hours and a lot of patience) and I wasn't a fan. It was kinda hard to turn, but that wasn't the huge problem. It's too damn sensitive to not have power assist. I depowered it originally to make room for my intercooler piping.
Just swapped in a manual rack and WOW. It's so easy to turn now, the car feels solid around corners, I love it! And it's not that sluggish since I can turn the wheel pretty fast.
Btw Funkjaws a weenie :P
Just swapped in a manual rack and WOW. It's so easy to turn now, the car feels solid around corners, I love it! And it's not that sluggish since I can turn the wheel pretty fast.
Btw Funkjaws a weenie :P
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 4
From: San Jose, CA (NorCal/S.F. Bay Area)
Manual racks are pretty easy to turn I just hate the steering ratio.
Another thing I hate about manual racks is in my experience you get a lot of bump steer, which is not cool.
Anyways power steering is far more advantageous to have over not having it. Anyone who says other wise probably doesn't know how to push their car and themselves to the limit.
Another thing I hate about manual racks is in my experience you get a lot of bump steer, which is not cool.
Anyways power steering is far more advantageous to have over not having it. Anyone who says other wise probably doesn't know how to push their car and themselves to the limit.
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 209
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From: FL
Manual racks are pretty easy to turn I just hate the steering ratio.
Another thing I hate about manual racks is in my experience you get a lot of bump steer, which is not cool.
Anyways power steering is far more advantageous to have over not having it. Anyone who says other wise probably doesn't know how to push their car and themselves to the limit.
Another thing I hate about manual racks is in my experience you get a lot of bump steer, which is not cool.
Anyways power steering is far more advantageous to have over not having it. Anyone who says other wise probably doesn't know how to push their car and themselves to the limit.
One issue I have with manual racks is the availability of bushings.
I annihilated the small bushing on a mountain trip and had to rig a 3/8th sway bar bushing as a solution.
**** sucks and still squirms in place. Scary to have the wheels do what ever they want on a mountain with a 200ft drop.
I'm either going MR2 PS pump and PS rack or gutting a PS rack and staying manual.
I annihilated the small bushing on a mountain trip and had to rig a 3/8th sway bar bushing as a solution.
**** sucks and still squirms in place. Scary to have the wheels do what ever they want on a mountain with a 200ft drop.
I'm either going MR2 PS pump and PS rack or gutting a PS rack and staying manual.
if you complain about it, obviously you can't drive the car hard enough to deal with it, and adapt. in racing if **** fails (like Powersteering) for example mid event, and you cant adapt, then you sign your death certificate and can't compete because of it.
sure PS is probably better. probably easier. but its racing. we're not dressing barbie dolls trying to be all comfortable...
the only reason i dont have it, is because i dont want it to fail on me in the middle of an event, and screw me up. i'm used to no powersteering, and with spindles/tierod spacers it makes the ratio faster reacting.
i also only weigh 130lbs, and am not buff at all and i have no issue with it being de-powered.
One issue I have with manual racks is the availability of bushings.
I annihilated the small bushing on a mountain trip and had to rig a 3/8th sway bar bushing as a solution.
**** sucks and still squirms in place. Scary to have the wheels do what ever they want on a mountain with a 200ft drop.
I'm either going MR2 PS pump and PS rack or gutting a PS rack and staying manual.
I annihilated the small bushing on a mountain trip and had to rig a 3/8th sway bar bushing as a solution.
**** sucks and still squirms in place. Scary to have the wheels do what ever they want on a mountain with a 200ft drop.
I'm either going MR2 PS pump and PS rack or gutting a PS rack and staying manual.
when you go PS rack, you need to find that stupid bushing and u-clamp because of the different sizes. it sucks.
\\TRASHTALK//
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 3
From: south phoenix
manual rack and replace the steering column with one of those heim joint speedway motors steering shaft... use a firewall mounted bearing and quick smooth steering is yours
**** put a 2:1 steering quickener and turn your steering wheel less and get more..
**** put a 2:1 steering quickener and turn your steering wheel less and get more..
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