Hey, guys. I've never had the chance to drive a car with no power steering. I'd like your opinions on this subject, because I'm planning on buying an RX-7 at the end of summer. Give me pros and cons, and be specific! Thanks.

 

I've only driven a 2nd gen RX-7 without power steering, I dunno which gen you're after...but here goes:

Pros-
Less weight
Better feel for the road/car

Cons-
Harder to turn wheel when driving slow speeds (parking lots, etc) until you get used to it

That's about it. I like no PS...although some FCs have that speed-sensitive PS which gives virtually no assistance at higher speeds...

You could always just take off the PS belt and see how you like it before ripping out all the components.

 

i have had my power streering off of my turbo2 since i bought it.

the only time its a pain int he *** is when your parking on the street or something, other then that, i like it better without pwr.
on the highway its nice and tight.

its a preference thing.
disconect the belt and see how you like it.

mike

 

Stickgoat is correct.

The "power" part of the power steering on a 86-88 FC (series4) is boosted based on vehicle speed.

It is varible from 0 to 40 MPH, with the most boosted feeling at 0-15 MPH and tappering off; the faster the car is moving.

With no "power" above 40 MPH (+ or - 5 MPH).

This allows for a very linear feel to the boosted steering. None of the other RX-7s have this. The other models use engine speed sensitive steering, whcih is not as optimal and tends to provide a litle more numb feel at lower RPMs.

IMO if you have a series 4 car with power steering keep it, but increase your tire size to a 225 width. The boost is just about perfect there for slower driving like in a parking lot or driveway.

all other models I find the arm power steering much better, unless you are weak, or a small person.

 

I've chucked the PS on my 1st gen... I like it so much better. You do get to feel it, and it take a bit more muscle in the parking lots (in fact it's damn near impossible to turn with my race tires on it) but I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

I don't have ps on my car. It didn't come with it.
But for a daily driver I would want PS.
Weekend 7...NO!

 

I cut the belt on my PS about a year ago when the pump siezed on my FD. It was a pain in the ***. I felt no increase in response, felt no increase in horsepower, plus my A/C was on the same belt. There was just no reason to be without PS. No improvement in any area.

But WITH PS, I didn't break a sweat trying to manuever into a parallel parking spot, and autocrossing was much better/easier/more fun (where typically, you are turning at low speeds).

 

No powersteering = Pain in the *** when parking

 

Wow, You're a bitch.

 

It's not that hard. I'm a 5'3" 110lb female and I had no problems parking without PS.

 

Exactly, stickgoat. THAT'S the reason I called him a bitch.
Maybe the perm is drawing energy from his muscles.

Sean

 

I'm weak, lol.

 

Probably so.

 

Get some Jerry Curl activator for that perm of yours... you'll be a regular Samson in no time at all.

 

Holy ****
ROTFLMAOWTF!

 

i took the belt off my fd last year and then i put it back on. when you are trying to drive the fd fast without the ps i was putting all my effort into turning the wheel. with the ps you can concentrate on driving the line.
my fc both gsl-se's the r100 and my tr3 have no ps, with those you dont have much choice. who cares about parking lots anyways??

mike

 

i gotta remove the pump, and connect the lines, if not u dont get the real feel of no PS u are just fight against the PS without the pulley turning

 

Once you drive something with manual steering, you will never be satisfied with power again. Power steering just feels so.... numb and artifical.

 

It might be different in a 7, but my camaro has manual steering and I actually find it easier to drive faster with ps than without it. However, that might be because I feel generally safer in my mom's mercedes because it not only has brakes that can stop without fading when going fast, but also because it has more than lap belts and lets not forget the 6+ airbags. This might all change once I get my new disc brakes on the front soon, so I don't know. The one thing I can say though is that above about 5 mph, manual steering feels just the same as power, and actually responds better to little changes in the wheel better than ps.

 

Wow, you always a dick on every thread?

 

Funny that you posted this queston.

I have a 93 RX-7 on 18" wheels.

I've been without p/s for about a week, due to a cracked p/s a/c bracket, I FREAGIN HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even at freeway speeds, it's impossible.

I was fortunate enough to replace my cracked bracket today and FINALLY have my p/s back.

I was so happy i went driving through the canyons at 12:00am

 

LOL, actually, it was a joke, and he caught it himself.
Maybe you should swing by the second gen forum. I tend to be a lot more helpful in that section than in here. The lounge is just a place to screw around (and you got suckered into it on the 5.0 thread).
Sean Cathcart

 

Will do, yeah i sure got hammered there, I was pretty pissed!!!
:P

 

I have no P/S on my mr2. It feels slightly heavy in parking lots, but other than that, I have no complaints. I does feel weird when I drive cars with P/S though. I'm like, "Whoa, this can turn without effort at low speeds!"

 

Car weighing < 3K lbs. + power steering = wussie driver.