Manual Steering Rack

[ZX2 S/R Black]

Okay, So I had a few questions...

1. I hear with a manual steering rack it takes fewer turns of the wheel then using a power steering rack to turn the same amt... is this true?

2. Anyone know how much these cost or where to get them?

3. Anyone know the difference in weight savings?

4. Any drawbacks? I hear it's harder to turn... but I have a Q regarding this... If you turn your car off while moving and try to steer, it's really hard cause it's no longer power steering... but with a manual steering rack, it's not that hard to turn normally right?

5. What are the pros? so far I know weight, amt. of turns for wheel, and that's it... besides freeing up power by deleting that pulley...

6. Would this somehow change torque steer that you feel? making it worse or better?

7. Anyone have one and have any comments?

As always... thanks guys! :)

[DaviDawg]

1. no, youll have to turn it more
2. depends on the junkyard you get it from or the store.
3. i think about 40lbs.
4. its not that hard, only when parked too.
5. about 3whp gain, i think.
6. idk but doubtful
7. dont have it so...

de power your original power rack and youll pay nothing and keep the same ratio

[DaviDawg]

heres the link with the de power how to
http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=1

putting the pony manual rack in is still a good option though. this is simply a more work option.

***edit***
i think it was thnikkaman that i got this info from

[ZX2 S/R Black]

Thanks Davidawg

Reason I ask is because I might get a shell of a ZX2... for my build...and if I do... I mine as well put in a manual one... I guess, just want to see if there are any drawbacks...

[ZX2 S/R Black]

Next Question...

Let's say down the road someday I'd want to go with the MTX-75 swap... would this no longer work? Would I have to get a different rack? or just change axles?

I think just change axles...

[inis]

what does steering have to do with the transmission?

[ZX2 S/R Black]

Lol nothing

[mellowness65]

manual is nowhere near as hard as power steering turned off, if you're in say a parking lot where you're turning a lot in a small area at low speeds it's harder, at normal driving speeds you wont notice a difference. It's because the "gearing" ratio of the steering wheel is lower, making more rotations per turn of the car but without the force needed with a de-powered ps setup

[BlackEscortGT]

Im still consideringdoing this dont know yet though

[jdrzx2]

Im still consideringdoing this dont know yet though
Just do it and get over it. The racks are easy to find, used or rebuilt. 91-95 escort pony.

[BlackEscortGT]

I drove my 91 EGT for a whole year without PS it wasnt that bad. still need to be consider

[Thnikkaman]

heres the link with the de power how to
http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=1

putting the pony manual rack in is still a good option though. this is simply a more work option.

***edit***
i think it was thnikkaman that i got this info from


Awesome, thanks for the credit! I de-powered and adapted a rack from a '93 mazda mx3 GS. it has 2.7 turns lock-to-lock vs the 3.1 turns for the stock power rack. The 2-gen escort manual racks are 4.3 turns lock to lock. the mx3 rack does require some modifications, PM me if you would like the details.

another advantage to manual steering is road feel. You can feel everything your front tires are doing, I love the feedback.

With the quick-ratio rack, no PS, sticky tires and an under-sized steering wheel i dont have that much difficulty with the car. Parallel parking can be troublesome... my car is pretty light though.

[ZX2 S/R Black]

With the 2.7 turns... that would be harder to turn then the stock PS rack un pressurized right? that's gotta be bad when in a parking lot or at slow speeds

[Thnikkaman]

i think its still easier than a power rack with the engine off, normal parking lots are no problem, parallel parking can be a little tricky - theres no room for error!

I found the 2nd gen manual rack too loose for autocross, it took too many turns of the wheel to get around tight corners. that rack was really nice on the street, parking was easy.

[JimH]

Plus looping it the way it is can make it a bit easier since you aren't pushing fluid through the pump. Only through the rack. I would remove the pump and then take away roughly half the fluid in the cylinder of the rack. Just leave enough for lubrication. The less resistance the better.

[ChillinZX]

Would my 88 Pony manual steering rack work for a ZX2?

[jdrzx2]

91-95