I am considering removing the power steering as it gives so much feedback at the road course. I wonder if there are the downsides that I do not aware of.

thanks

 

Im sure someone will spell it right for me, but fatigue would be something you should worry about, I know my arms are tired with my power steering and being straped in.. Not worth the 3 hp gain IMO

 

you spelled it right.

 

I'm with Corey on this one.

Ever tried running in a kart for an hour?

Warren

 

it depends what the car is used for and each individuals taste. i find that there is a heighted feel for what the front tires are doing with the power steering disabled. it gives for very positive 'sporty' feel and after trying it once a few years back, i havent gone back since. i posted a few days ago that i just finished a 12 hour endurance race. the car has a 12" steering wheel with a GSR steering rack with the PS disabled. none of my drivers complained about fatigue and none of us are professional body builders by any means. best thing to do is to remove your belt and try it out. if you like it you are free to do something permanent. if you dont, stick the belt on. shouldnt take you more than 30min. just remember that it will take some getting used to. on the freeway the car will feel light. under heavy breaking or parking the car will feel heavy. give it a month before making a verdict as once you get over the initial shock, it can be very fun to drive.

im surprised nobody asked which rack is better. ps or non-ps when running without ps.

 

I have been driving my car for over a year without the power steering. Ironically I just hooked it back up this afternoon for the track. I remember now why I never hooked it back up as my power steering is just too darn sensitive.

I really like the feel without the PS much better. I think it all comes down to personal preference, see how you like it each way and then decide what is best for you. Input is much more without it but actual feedback is amplified.

Anthony

 

I don't find the increased effort to be bad at all. Of course, the car is a track only car. In the pits/paddock, there is definitely a pretty high effort compared to PS. On the track, the increased feel is incredible. I only really notice the extra effort on long sweepers like the carousel at Sears. I installed a manual rack in my car. I didn't want to run the PS unit dry. I was concerned about having the fluid in the PS unit with nowhere to go. If I wasn't so lazy, I should have set a up a catch can unit for the old rack for the fluid. It probably would have been easier. I had to make a delrin bushing to fit the manual rack in the subframe. Another negative is the manual rack is a little slower.

 

i removed the power steering on my si and i LOVED it. the only reason i put the p/s back on is because i sold the car, now i have a 94 ex with, u guessed it, no p/s. i like it better than with the p/s, u can actually feel the road.

 

I've been debating about permanently removing mine also, but as it would change my class in SCCA I won't. But here are my conclusions:

Power Steering Advantages:
-In comparison to Non-PW racks, the ratio is quicker. (Less lock-to-lock for the same turning radius).
-Less effort while parking, at low speeds, or on tight turns.
-Disadvantages of parisitic loss, oversensitivity and lightness can be lessened by adding a larger pulley, while possibly retaining the advantages.
-Works well for large vehicles.
-Generally reguarded as a standard safety device from OEM's.

Power Steering DISadvantages:
-Parisitic loss to the motor. (However, it is nearly neglibible in most cases.)
-Tends to be oversensitive (follows ruts in road, false inputs from harsh bumps)
-Depending on suspension settings, power steering can make the car feel light, particularly at high speeds.
-Added weight, and complexity.

Non-Power Assisted Advantages:
-Much better feel for threshold grip.
-Input from torque steer is lessened in some cases.
-Road irregularities not as noticeable.
-Less weight, and less complexity.
-No parisitic loss on motor.
-Can work very well for a light vehicle.

Non-Power Assisted DISadvantages:
-More effort required at low speeds, in tight turns, and while parking.
-Does not work well for a large/heavy vehicle.
-Slower ratio on non-PW steering racks. (Lock-to-Lock number higher.)
-Can make a car more unsafe, if not implemented correctly.

If I missed anything, or you feel any of the information is incorrect, please feel to correct/add to my list. Most, but not all of these are from personal experience and may differ with a different vehicle.


[Modified by mojoGSR92, 11:11 PM 12/9/2001]

 

An oversized pulley might help? Would slightly increase effort whille still leaving the PS intact? Just a thought.

 

Yes, that needed some clarification. Thanks for the heads up. I have since edited it.

 

On Hondas, I'm pretty sure the power steering fluid serves to lubricate the rack. I seem to remember reading (in SCC?) that the Realtime Type Rs run manual steering, with catch cans full of fluid at each end to lube the rack.

 

i was under the impression that removing the belt will not change your class. i am by no means an official scrutineer so double check first

 

Yup - they removed all the OEM hoses and run lines to and from the rack to a remote reservoir. I am trying to replicate a less hardcore version of this setup at the moment by using the existing lines and reservoir and bypassing (and removing) the power steering pump - https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=98558.

Perhaps this is half-assed?

 

Guys, im sorry but fatigue is no drawback. I had about 4-5 hours of track time this Sunday at Sebring (full course, 3.7 miles, 17 turns) I have a 00 Si. It is a PS rack but I pulled the belt and drained the fluid. The feedback is sweet!!! After feeling it on the track, there is no way I would go back to that numb, shitty PS. Expecially on a road course when the PS would be draining alot of power when the wheel is turned, the car feels a hell of a lot better pulling out of a turn. my .002

 

That's interesting. I personally am just looking for something to keep me in my class STS, but I really, really want to have the feel of a manual rack and do it right. If the rules were changed I would do it ASAP but am still looking for options for my particular vehicle. I really hate the feel of power-steering now, and don't mind the disadvantages of not having the power-assist.

 

How to remove PS on ITR?
So that it will still have lubrication for the rack? I am afraid to remove the belt will make the rack out of lub? And how to remove the PS belt anyway?