Anyone ever think about eliminating the power steering system?

bryan

 

Funny you should ask...

I was driving my Evo down a winding mountain road today and enjoying all the communication that the brakes, steering, and suspension give you. I've had a few Miatas and 5 series BMWs, all of which had good steering and brakes. However, I think the Evo has the most communicative steering I've ever felt.

I've even driven a full boat race car at speed on slicks, and I get more feedback from my Evo that I did from the racecar.

But then I was going about 170.

 

Well said.

Dont mess with such a wonderful thing. The Evo has the best steering and road feel stock of any car I have ever driven.

 

so you want to eliminate power steering so u can save like 30-40 lbs? i dont think you realize what your considering... hey lets eliminate the brakes, it can save you 50 lbs and heck you can just engine brake or go up hill to stop hehe

 

8-9 inch wide tires... have fun turning them at low speeds or in quick situations...

 

i would say keep it. most of the rally teams are running it now and unless it is a devoted track car then you will see little gains.

most rally teams do ditch the servo assistance on their cars as it gives you a much more communication as to what is happening at the front end and is more progresive.

they also dont run air con or electric windows, or any interior, or have any boot space, etc, etc. you get my point. leave it as it is. just my oppinion.

thanks Chris.

 

wtf?who wana do that, ur just goin to struggle trying to manuever your car around.

 

1. If you don't have anything intelligent to say, please do us all a favor and shut up.
2. I don't plan on going to wider tires...
3. I've driven many cars without power steering or with power steering eliminated.
4. I'm curious if anyone has already tried it. Is it so bad to wonder? jeez... I swear people way over react on this board...

bryan

 

Turbotrix has done it.

 

Sorry bryans2k, not harm intended.

I do remember reading an article on the TVR Tuscan racers a few years ago. They said that it was very hard to turn the wheel in their racers (with HUGE front slicks) even at racing speeds! So some decided to “retrofit” (haha as if they had it in the first place) power steering. This made it a lot easier in the race, but also sapped about 10bhp from the cars so they took it off and spent more time in the gym!

There is no reason why you couldn’t do it. You will need to change the rack (over here I would say try a Ford Escort Mk2 as these are none assisted and can be made very quick geared)! You could also ditch the stock pump and use an electric one. This way you could turn it on and off! Would be a pain to find a rack that work well with and without assistance! Also you would only get the HP gain as both systems would weight about the same (although you could put the pump where you wanted aiding weight distribution).

It depends how far you (not you personally but if anyone tried it) wanted to go. It would require a lot of research but I could see it working as a track day car!

Thanks Chris.