I commonly see race cars with a manual steering conversion of sorts, where the hoses from the power steering box are removed and a short loop of hose is installed as a by-pass.

Are there any caveats with doing it that way? Would it be okay to simply plug the ports on the power steering box?

Thanks!

It is harder to steer that way..put a manual box on it

You have to loop it or it’s VERY hard to turn. I made the change from looped power to standard non power gear box and honestly it was not worth it. Yes it was a easier to steer at slow speeds but it took many more steering wheel revolutions to make a u-turn vs the power steering box with a loop. Both ends of our local track were 180’s. If I could do it again, I’d put a rack & pinion in it.

This was a 70 GM A body if it matters.

Why do you want to do it. My vette still have power steering and so did the chevelle.

I see this as very much along the lines of running with and without an alternator.

The power that they take away is negligible and downsides (cons) I see as far greater and cost prohibitive.

If everything is working why mess with it? Add up the money and time and there is no upside.

We bracket race - so the .00X you gain from weight loss is not worth it.

Thanks for all the great input, guys.
I don't mind having the power assist. I considered changing over to manual steering partly to de-clutter the engine compartment and to speed up a swap to a spare engine, if need be.

I have converted to manual brakes and am pretty happy with that result.