Manual rack versus pwr steering

Stang_ROTY · 08-09-2004, 07:05 AM

I'm having a hard time with my power steering (keep developing leaks @ the pressure hose - nylon O-rings aren't sealing), and I was thinking about going to a manual rack and pinion by Flaming River. I already have their steering shaft. I was thinking that maybe I could get an idler pulley from March to replace that pwr steering pulley. What type of power gains could be expected from removing that pulley?

crazypete · 08-09-2004, 09:22 AM

Trivial. It only draws power when you are turning the wheel. You'll gain a bit from the weight reduction and cleaner enginebay. Dont get the silly idler and reclutter your enginebay though. Just get a shortbelt. If you dont have your a/c then stick with the PS. You'd need to get a forward rotation waterpump and clutchfan too and a shortbelt.

Take it from me. I'm the craziest weight reduction advocate there is. I drove a manual rack mustang twice and HATED it. The road shock goes right up to you. When you hit bumps, it jerks the steering wheel a bit and you have to hang onto that wheel hard. Plus of course the extra effort to parallel park and so forth. Not fun.

For a track only car. Go for it. Otherwise, stick with the PS.

Stang_ROTY · 08-09-2004, 10:50 AM

Thanks a bunch for the comments....I was thinking that I would gain more HP than that, but you make a great point that it's only drawing power from the engine when you turn. For the money that it'll cost to get a new water pump (running the serpentine setup now), and other misc stuff..it's not really worth it when you think about it.

crazypete · 08-09-2004, 11:46 AM

This will be an extreme example but do this:

unplug the fitting on the front of your ps rack. Let the fluid drain out (hey, you'll flush the system too!). Turn lock to lock a few times with the engine running. (Bag the fitting or you'll make quite a mess.). Take it for a drive. Doesnt it REALLY suck? Now imagine that the flaming river is only half as bad as that and you'll reach the conclusion that even half as bad is pretty bad after you've gotten used to nice power steering and driving around with one hand =P

When you fill it back up, use ATF. It's so much more effective than PS fluid. It'll clean out your system real nice.

88fivepointoh · 08-09-2004, 02:27 PM

yea i agree, don't lose the PS.. stick with it.. without it the car rides like $hit. You'll hate yourself for it in the future.

08-09-2004, 07:05 AM	#1
Stang_ROTY Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Berkshire County - Massachusetts Posts: 735	Manual rack versus pwr steering I'm having a hard time with my power steering (keep developing leaks @ the pressure hose - nylon O-rings aren't sealing), and I was thinking about going to a manual rack and pinion by Flaming River. I already have their steering shaft. I was thinking that maybe I could get an idler pulley from March to replace that pwr steering pulley. What type of power gains could be expected from removing that pulley? __________________ Red 1993 GT Street Machine Best E.T. - 12.41/Best MPH = 108 Engine is a 1969 351 block w/393 stroker kit. Dynamic Roller Myte C4, 8 pt cage. Edlebrock Performer heads and Victor Jr. EFI, FRPP 30lb injectors & Cartech fuel system. MSD ignition. Sothside Machine bars & Sub-frames, adj. upper's, 3.73's, Koni rear shocks, much more

08-09-2004, 09:22 AM	#2
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	Trivial. It only draws power when you are turning the wheel. You'll gain a bit from the weight reduction and cleaner enginebay. Dont get the silly idler and reclutter your enginebay though. Just get a shortbelt. If you dont have your a/c then stick with the PS. You'd need to get a forward rotation waterpump and clutchfan too and a shortbelt. Take it from me. I'm the craziest weight reduction advocate there is. I drove a manual rack mustang twice and HATED it. The road shock goes right up to you. When you hit bumps, it jerks the steering wheel a bit and you have to hang onto that wheel hard. Plus of course the extra effort to parallel park and so forth. Not fun. For a track only car. Go for it. Otherwise, stick with the PS. __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

08-09-2004, 10:50 AM	#3
Stang_ROTY Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Berkshire County - Massachusetts Posts: 735	Thanks a bunch for the comments....I was thinking that I would gain more HP than that, but you make a great point that it's only drawing power from the engine when you turn. For the money that it'll cost to get a new water pump (running the serpentine setup now), and other misc stuff..it's not really worth it when you think about it. __________________ Red 1993 GT Street Machine Best E.T. - 12.41/Best MPH = 108 Engine is a 1969 351 block w/393 stroker kit. Dynamic Roller Myte C4, 8 pt cage. Edlebrock Performer heads and Victor Jr. EFI, FRPP 30lb injectors & Cartech fuel system. MSD ignition. Sothside Machine bars & Sub-frames, adj. upper's, 3.73's, Koni rear shocks, much more

08-09-2004, 11:46 AM	#4
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	This will be an extreme example but do this: unplug the fitting on the front of your ps rack. Let the fluid drain out (hey, you'll flush the system too!). Turn lock to lock a few times with the engine running. (Bag the fitting or you'll make quite a mess.). Take it for a drive. Doesnt it REALLY suck? Now imagine that the flaming river is only half as bad as that and you'll reach the conclusion that even half as bad is pretty bad after you've gotten used to nice power steering and driving around with one hand =P When you fill it back up, use ATF. It's so much more effective than PS fluid. It'll clean out your system real nice. __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

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08-09-2004, 02:27 PM	#5
88fivepointoh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rochester Posts: 553	yea i agree, don't lose the PS.. stick with it.. without it the car rides like $hit. You'll hate yourself for it in the future.