I'm going to do my first road race in the 944 turbo '86.

I would like some recomendation on keep the power steering or eliminate that for road race...

Any input would be fine, thanks!!

 

I removed and blocked off my power steering and had no problems. It's a bit stiff manuvering in the pits or on off the trailer. Other than that minor issue I don't see an issue.

Alan

 

I have run both ways, ie with and without the power steering. I agree with Alan C that handling the car is no problem without the power assist. You soon get used to it.

The advantages I guess are less weight, and fewer things to break. To do it right you really have to change the rack to the non power assisted type.

I currently have my power steering hooked up as I also use the car on the street.

If I were to dedicate my car to the track, I think I would go the Alan C route and do the power steering delete, and also the AC delete.

 

The 944 turbo Cup racecars had no power steering. Don't know if the ratio is different. It needs a man in the pits, but it's no problem on the track....

 

My power steering failed at the track this weekend, and it was pretty tough to steer the car with the big 255/40/17 front tires - even on the highway, curves required a pretty serious tug - nothing like my 73 911S which has lighter manual steering than many power-steering cars (951S included). Maybe the manual rack is easier - but the ratio might be to slow for the track. I've heard racers preferring the power rack without the pump connected...

 

I've had failed Power Steering at the track as well. 235/35-18's are TOUGH to steer! I was super sweaty after 5 laps, with each lap after that being more of a chore than enjoyment.

 

I have run 951's without power steering with tires upto 315 with no problem at all.

 

Maybe I'm just outta shape...

 

I drive my 86 without PS on the track. I think it gives me a little better feel or feedback for what the front tires are doing. I initially tried the non-PS mode after talking to a guy from a race team (951) who said his driver prefers the manual steering - for the same reason. He went on to say that they tried mounting a non-PS rack from an 83' but the driver prefered the unpowered turbo rack instead. I am in the military so I work out the upper body on a regular basis - plus I'm larger than your average bear (6'5", 250 lbs), but a weekend on the track at Mid Ohio without the PS wears my *** out.

Chip

 

What kind of steering wheel do you have. The stock one is kinda huge so it would be easier to steer w/o power steering.

I have a MOMO wheel and it's quite a bit smaller than the stock one, making it a little harder and stiffer than stock but no porblem with the power steering when I drive on the street. It would be TOUGH to steer without power steering.

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

 

I'm gonna put PS system back into my '86 in the spring. Used to have the Callaway turbo kit on my car where the i/c piping went where the p/s pump was. Manual rack from an '84 sure is heavy when running on 18" on the streets.

 

Once you get about 30mph, the non-assisted steering isn't too bad. I've been driving around on a car that has such leaky PS hoses, that the resevoir is empty in less than a week! Trolling through parking lots and turning into a parking spot can get tiresome though....

Isn't the power-assist in these things speed-dependent? Like it tapers off as you faster?

I know on my Supra, there was a vacuum-activated valve that would cut off the power-assist as the revs rised, not quite speed-dependent but close. The RX-7 had a true speed-dependent power-assist bleed-off. And the electronic-assisted power-steering on the NSX has got to be the best steering feel ever!!!