Poll-FD Power Steering for 100% Track Car
 

I been running my FD for a little over a year as a 100% track car. I did not put the power steering in it and I never drove the car with it. I like the feel of the steering, but I'd like to get an idea of others who track their FD's and whether its a good power steering system(provides enough feel).

Most real race cars use some sort of power assisted steering. IMO, I don't see the reason to not have it. However, at the non-pro level, it's just more of a preference thing.

An engineering buddy of mine had a conversation with a guy who builds professional race cars. The conversation was around power steering and he mentioned some of the things they can do with power assist on true race cars these days. I don't remember all of the details but it was some interesting tid bits. ;)

If you are going to compare to professional level cars, you should probably say what class of car.

Some cars are just undriveable without power steering. Daytona Prototypes for instance run very large sticky rubber, and can corner at 2+ G's. That's pretty tough too manhandle around a track.

i dont see a poll anywhere ???

but i'll keep the PS

i like to keep the PS simply because i'm just used to it.

I opted to keep mine.

I figured taking it out was probably not going to make much difference in my performance at this point.

Thanks guys, I currently have the motor out and I need to change some of my oil coller lines to accomodate the PS.
Where does the PS cooler go if I have a Vimount?

That was the first thing I ditched. If this is a track only car (road race courses) I say dump it. If you are only doing 20 minute track sessions the feedback by eliminating it is awesome. Especially at 100mph+. Under 5mph it is a PITA to drive and 3 point parking isn't fun... but if this is truly a track only car dump it. BTW- I'm 5'7" and 145lbs.... I had 285/30/18's up front as well. Only with 3 pt parking and low speeds is it a PITA.

If you plan to do endurance racing (ie 2hrs+ racing) I would keep the p/s. Also with any AutoX racing you want p/s.

Howard Coleman who has a very well sorted FD (500rwhp+) that is track and street driven and has no p/s. He has raced for 20+ years and holds a few track records also. The guy is in his 60's and has no problem working it around the track. There are a number of others on here without that race as well.

As mentioned the feedback from the car with no p/s is great!

I now have two race FDs. One has been converted to manual and the other has power steering. You get a little bit more feedback with the conversion to manual but a tight track can really tire you out.

It's a tough call either way... but I think if I was to do it again I would NOT eliminate the power steering in my race car.

So the manual rack conversion makes a noticeable difference.

Yes, it makes a difference. It does increase your road feel and sensitivity to feedback as others have stated. However, I feel that the FD even with power steering is pretty darn good in that department anyway. If you autocross or run tight road courses with many frequent turns you'll tire out a lot faster without the power steering - I know I do and I'm 30 years old and probably in the 90% percentile for strength.

Anyone now where I can get short steering rack for the FD?
I was going to use a manual but think I`m gone stick to PS..
But need shorter steering if u now what I meen..

My friend races formula lights and honestly Ps is needed over the weight save. You have to realize your pulling over 1+ G's around corners your going get tired and fatigue very easily. Every once of energy you can save you'll need especially in a professional race that could go for 1,2 or even up to 5 hours non stop (Excepting pitting).

I'd rather have the Ps then the Hp an weight...

Having PS or not doesnt determine a better driver. Winning races and being up front does. If having Power sterring is allowed in your specific class, then not having would be the not so smart thing to do. What good is it to say "yeah i drive my car without power steering. Im the man". Yeah, but your at the back of the pack after a 2 hour enduro. Thats my .02 cents worth. I opted to keep mine and here are some pics. I even through a mini cooler in the set-up
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...p/SNV30311.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...p/SNV30365.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...p/SNV30366.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...p/SNV30367.jpg

WOW! Awesome 7 I'm doing a custom front end as well. I bought the same earl's cooler lol that thing is awesome. Good luck glad to see there's someone else outside the box (Even though you do already if you own an rx7 in general)

I'm eliminating mine on my car.
I want to see how bad it is w/o it before I opt to use power steering as this is a mainly street car.
A friend and I have been thinking of alternatives for power steeing other than the setup we were given by the factory.
Car is an FC btw so I have my choice of a couple different racks and different pump types.
I'm converting a s4 15.4:1 PS rack btw

One of the main reasons is for better sparkplug access. I had thought of relocating the stock PS pump to the AC pumps position below where the PS pump normally sits.


Nice PS cooler, I like that :)

This looks interesting:
http://www.woodwardsteering.com/hot.htm

A possible future project on my car.

Quicker steering would be great, depending on where you drive. I'm sure some will say that the road feel would suffer. It may, but making tight turns without taking hands off the wheel or shuffling would be great.

My car gets autox'd. I tried driving w/out the P/S and with a line loop. Took a drive on a local twisty road and decided the steering was just too heavy for autox.

It was also too heavy for a track day IMO. By the third session I think it would be getting pretty tough to drive.


So, the power steering went back in this weekend. I really don't like having all that stuff in the engine bay, but the car is much easier to drive for the kind of driving I do.

I added the Poll to the thread. Unfortunately, I have never driven an FD with power steering, so I'm a little in the dark about its feel. I really built this car with the intent of making it a dedicated track/race car.

I'd never go back to power steering. True manual (Maval) isn't heavy at all if you're doing more than 5 mph... even on 285/30 Hoosiers. I like the feel, and I like how much it simplifies things under the hood and around the radiator.

Have you driven an FD with the line loop also?

If so, in your opinion how much easier is it to drive an FD with a Maval Gear modified rack than one that has just had the line loop?

I don't know of anyone locally (Portland OR) that has the Maval rack. I would like to drive one. Speaking for myself, I just didn't want to shell out the $$ for the rack, take the time and trouble to replace it and find out it wasn't that much better than just removing the P/S.

Don't tell me to search - I've read all the other threads on this. Many of the comments lack objectivity.

^ would also like to know

Power sterring = additional possible point of failure.
That's the main reason I'd pull it. You want to eliminate or simplify as many systems as possible on a race car because in order to win you have to finish. I see power steering as another spot for fluid to leak. I've got an FC with a manual rack and I've done everything I can to siplify the car, mechanically and electronically. The payoff has been a reliable car I can fire up, race for two hours, load on the trailer and forget about until the next event. (except when my brakes fail ;-( .

-Trent

Now you guys decide to conduct a poll!! I just got my track project car converted to manual.

In the end, I did it because the old P/S pump was leaking and I wanted to simplify the set up as well as save some weight. Still building the thing so I have not had the chance to track it. Hopefully, my hours on the mountain bike will keep me fit for race wars.

By the way Rob, you be the man with or without P/S. That car is amazing!!

Thanks! Its come a very very long way. Im glad your car is comming along as well. Check out the other car we are builing in this thread under Big Als race car. we may go the electric power sterring route with it.

Laters.
RoB

I would never again drive a racecar without ps if I could possibly avoid it. I had removed it from my FC with 10" front slicks and hated life after 30 minutes of being on track. Also if your car is tail happy (like mine) it can become very tough to countersteer quickly enough when you have to do it at every corner exit.

I now have PS and everything is beautiful.

I've had 2 different manual converted racks in my car, both used on track with 225/50/15 R's. One was a 17.4:1 rack and I didn't weld the pinion shaft, the other one is a 15.2:1 with the welded rack, pretty much an FD Maval rack and I love it. It gives much better on center feel due to the solid pinion shaft, where the other one had some give to it. The reactions are just that much faster compared to the previous rack. It's definetely worth going the extra mile and getting it welded.

For me the effort's not a big deal and I don't find it tiring, but I'm a big guy. I'd generally agree with others though, that with lots of grip and speed, or with long stints behind the wheel, PS would be preferable, otherwise it's personal choice.