CVR_Rally

Some of the work I will be doing requires the old rack to come out. I've read and watched videos on doing a depose red rack especially as this is going to be a part time DE car.

Recent user experiences?

I'd like to see if I can find a used rack cheap so that I not have to wreck my old one and I can prep it ahead of time.

Thanks
Chris

951and944S

For the average person, if the car is street/track and at or near at street curb weight, I'd say no. And I define "street" as 50-100 mile trips or more, not squirts around the block from the driveway.

Pretty sure I could get away with it even on a street driven car at full weight but I'm a pretty big dude and I'm already used to it as all our track cars have de-powered PS racks.

On a track setup.....you'll have maximum caster that the adjusters will allow (or more) which will tend to help recenter the wheel after a turn because in effect, the car's weight will be "jacked" but the other side effect, because of the same force, the car is hard to turn from center (going straight) when the car is not rolling.,,,i.e., you are at a red light to turn left on the street.

Depowered gives more feedback to what the car is doing on track in my opinion....so, personally, I prefer depowered over the numb/vague feel of the powered system.

T

dmjames

I've gone depowered on my 84 NA daily driver for about 4 months now. It's otherwise stock, and while the steering effort is higher, it's not bad at all. If you're on the fence, though, try disconnecting the belt and driving it for a while. You'll have slightly more effort and play than with a fully-converted rack, but it'll still get you a decent representation of what you're getting into without being irreversible.

CVR_Rally

I did that for a couple days last year and it was a little bit of a bear. Granted it already feels stiff as powered so I suspect the pump actually needs a rebuild which is why I was really thinking of doing the conversion as it would be less effort that no belt and just a bit more than it already is.

odonnell

When you depower, you won't have to push fluid around though...you can just pack it with grease and loop the lines, so it won't be as stiff as a power rack with the belt off.

V2Rocket

I have had a depowered rack since 2006...
It is not hard at all, as long as you keep the tires inflated properly..lol

If you think the non-PS'd PS rack is hard...you are a woman

CVR_Rally

Really?

Thanks that's what I figured.

87944turbo

De-powered mine several years ago. I don't really think it is all that bad, and I run 255s on the front, currently have some old RA1s on. Yes turning at slow speeds will likely require two hands, but the simplicity of the system, reduced weight, and comfort I take in knowing I will never see another drop of ATF in my driveway or garage are more than worth it.

My car is part time DE as well, and I would never go back. I love the way it works on track.

CVR_Rally

Thanks all. I am definitely going to do this as part of my project list. Got to get the car DE ready.
Thanks
Chris

AZ520

http://mwthemachineshop.com/944-power-rack

I have the 924 manual rack, much better than a de-powered 944 rack. This company is the only one to offer these racks, good info on the site.

bonus12

I tried a power rack without a belt for 1000 miles. It was not very likeable to me. Now I have a full manual rack and it's AWESOME.

CVR_Rally

Last week I finished the 'front end' work and there is a difference having and depowered rack vs. just taking the belt off. When I had just tried the no-belt method it was really stiff. Doing the proper de-power it is much better and so far a real blast to drive.

The old rack and piping was rough so this was a great solution for it.

Chris

AlphaOmegaPower

Interesting link.

bgiere

I had the Machine Shop do mine...fantastic work and it is a better way to go than just looping the lines IMHO...nice feel and not too heavy

Thaddeus

A better option for an EV conversion than running an additional pulley, certainly.