I have an '88 TII and am getting ready for an engine rebuild by getting rid of all the stuff I don't need. AC is almost gone and block off plates are in the mail. My last decision is whether or not to keep the PS.

I've always liked the feeling of my PS, but I've read and have been told by a few FC owners that the manual rack basically feels the same as the PS rack. Is this true? I already know where I can source the manual rack and I'd be able to do the work myself, but is it worth the trouble? I'd want to get rid of it to free up some space for IC piping, drop weight, and have fewer things that could go wrong.

The car isn't my daily driver and my ultimate goal is to have a strong street performer with occasional auto x and track use. Should I keep the PS or get rid of it? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

I don't know about TII's but on my FD, i didn't have power steering and now i do. The only difference is when you are stopped. When driving, it feels exactly the same with PS and without PS. The only difference i noticed is when slower then 10mpg, then you noticed the difference from PS and no PS.

 

I have ran both power steering and a manual rack before and in my opinion, i like power steering because it is a bit more smoother than a manual rack. If you already removed your A/C and are looking to make more space, i think you should run a manual rack. Because like you said, this isn't your daily driver and running a manual is that much different from running power steering. Its just not as smooth in my opinion. Hope this helps a little, Good luck

 

Keep it. It is a wonderful thing.

 

Thanks for the help guys. After thinking it over a bit I think I'll be removing my PS because I only drive the car a few times a week at most. And a little more effort at slow speeds won't bother me.

Before I tackle switching the racks, any advice or tips on how to remove the PS/AC pumps? I took out the entire AC eccept the pump because the PS was in the way. There isn't much room down there.

 

I am in the process of doing just this right now. I am trying the flyin'miata depowering method, so I am stuck right now on removing the yoke plug. The locknut is stuck pretty good.

The only thing I can think of right now that stands out are the pulleys. Note the holes in the pulley face, just shove a #2 screwdriver in them and the pulleys won't turn.

 

keep it

 

ditch it

 

i just took mine off, never looked back

 

If you're going to remove your PS then do it right. Don't just loop the lines. Either depower it or swap in a manual rack. I swapped a manual rack into mine and absolutely love it. As far as removal goes it's pretty straight forward, jack it up and give everything a good looking over before you begin.

 

I took mine off, and also never even noticed it. it is for parking lots, not driving. feel the road my friend.

Doc

 

I have a 1984 RX7 and the power steering doesn't work. I can't even budge the steering wheel, but I guess it's because the power steering box needs to be totally disengaged somehow, right?

 

this. both my RX7s did/do not have power steering and it is no big deal. they are not heavy vehicles and as such arent that bad unless youre at a complete stop. even then its not really horrible unless you have wider than stock tires

 

dude, keep your powersteering. you guys can turn your USED to be power steering vehicles all day and ill do u turns and s bends with 1 finger. thanks for the PS Mazda! :P

 

if you want to be able to make quik turns at low speeds keep the power steering, i removed my ps form my dodge neon (i had a long time ago) and the only time i hated not having it is when you are going slow. other than that you really cant tell the difference. But if you want it to be a street performer and occasional motor x i would kep the power steering cause some of the tracks ive done have slow sharp turns and yes, they suck without power steering....but you will get very strong lol

 

I would keep it because even if you drive it once a week it really comes in handy in parking lots.

 

If you do remove it, do it properly. Swap in the manual steering rack.

 

So what is your opinion on the "proper de-powering" method that has been brought up before? Is it only that the steering ratio is tougher than the manual steering rack's, or is there something else that has not been discussed?

Links to the de-powering guides I am referring to:
TeamFC3S post
RX7Club post
FM Guide referred to in the RX7Club Post

I would just like to know what your opinion is of this method. It's the method that I am currently trying right now.

 

KEEP IT. the fc powersteering switches off after a certain speed anyways!

 

Huh, you are right, page 50-78 of the wiring diagram for the S4.

 

I think it's a ridiculous, ghetto and stupid hack, most commonly done by kids with no budget or really any concept on how their car should work. Not that I am saying that about everyone who performs this mod, because sometimes the quicker ratio of the power steering rack is needed. But in most cases, the reasoning behind this mod is flawed.

True, the quicker ratio of the power steering rack might be a help in autox, but if you are competing at that level, where something like that is vital, then you're probably already performed this mod. Or installed a steering quickener on a manual rack.