AutoX: To power steer or not to power steer?

[Jand3rson]

For you seasoned cone-killers, do you run power steering in your car? My plans have shifted with my E30, and I'm gearing it now much more toward autoX duty and track in the future. I've got my engine half taken apart right now for some maintenance and small upgrades, and I'm also trying to shed practical weight.

I've already removed the AC compressor and will be removing the condensor, the engine fan is also coming out. And I know that shedding the power steering pump along with the belt will save a little more weight and also free up a little power. Is power steering something you want on an autocross car? There's a lot of tight corners, but I'm wondering if it's something I can really live without for the sake of weight/power.

[Hick]

p/s most def.

there are a few courses ive come across that are slow speed and have very tight corners.

[JGood]

I did the whole power steering removal thing on both my e30's. Tried it daily driving, autox, and on the track with r-comps. I've since reinstalled both systems, and I'll never remove them again. The couple pounds you save is not worth the increased steering effort and the fact that it's damn near dangerous at low speeds. You'll never notice whatever little bit of power is freed up by removing the belt. I'm almost certainly faster on track, as trying to muscle around the wheel is no longer my primary focus.

[Jand3rson]

That's what I thought, I just wanted to get a few opinions first.

[Charlie]

On a small, light car with tiny tires like my '02, manual steering is nice/fine. Once you go to big, sticky tires, it becomes a PITA. Leave it.

-Charlie

[nando]

with wide r-comps and tight autox courses, no PS is going to suck, and I can't see the weight advantage being even slightly beneficial. Leave that mod for the kiddies who think they're d0riftorz on the street (along with the manual rack that makes the steering ratio even slower).

[asubimmer]

I removed mine when I did my motor swap. And it will be returning to the car as soon as I pick up a new rack...

Its not bad w/out it. But w/ larger or sticky tires you will prob want it on the tighter or slower events.

[bostonbmw]

I really enjoy P/S with my e36 steering rack !!!

[E30Idea]

I tried it both ways, and I am 100% sure you will want to leave it on. Trust me!

[DCColegrove]

Power steering is a very good thing to have on any short track.

[Psyops]

Just a noob sharing my .02, but I think there is some benefit in terms of improved feel and feedback. Thoughts?

[nando]

sure you will feel more, but the problem is at lower speeds with very wide/sticky tires you're going to be struggling to turn the wheel instead of focusing on where you are going.

a better thing to do would be to swap racks with one from an E36 instead of keeping the truck like steering ratio of the E30 without power assistance.

[Emre]

On a related note, has anyone tried one of those aftermarket steering ratio "quickeners" that are so popular with the rally crowd?

I really got spoiled by the steering in my Evo VIII. I don't know the exact ratio, but it was around 1.5 revolutions from lock-to-lock. You never had to remove your hands from 9 and 3 even around the tightest corners. Also made it VERY easy to catch a slide, since you could suddenly add a massive amount of countersteer without lifting a hand off the wheel. Makes recovery very smooth and intuitive.

Maybe I should start a new thread...

[asuj158]

I have no power steering and I dont mind it, but what can I say Im a monster

[guibo09]

i looked into those steering multipliers when i had a subaru. they are available in 1.5x and 2.0x. although they are a solution, they have the following drawbacks:

1- you got to weld something up, sometimes there isnt too much space to insert the module in the steering column

2- compromise safety to some extent

3- over work the power steering pump

4- adds slop to the steering (there is noticeable back lash)

for these reasons, i shied away from this idea and never got a quick rack. the only option for subaru was an sti rack (16.5 to 15.0) or a very pricey custom rack at over 1000$. with BMWs, you have the option of going with the Z3 rack, which is just under 14.0 i believe for a reasonable price. no reason to look elsewhere, unless you want something even faster.