June 19, 2019, 01:54 PM
Bad NuszManual steering conversion Q:
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!
June 19, 2019, 04:38 PM
CriscoIt is harder to steer that way..put a manual box on it
June 19, 2019, 09:05 PM
FastLaneYou 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.
June 20, 2019, 09:45 AM
ski_dwn_itWhy 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.
Configuration: 3350#, 582 C.I.,
60 - 1.24
1/8 - 5.53@ 126MPH
1/4 - 8.73@ 159MPH
3700#+210lb driver, FULL interior, through mufflers, 10.5 tire.
60'-1.333 (IN 4000ft DA! Joisy Math excluded; 1.25sec using JOISY MATH.)
1/4 - 9.60@144MPH June 22, 2019, 05:29 PM
Bad NuszThanks 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.