Performance mods for better mileage??

[hamsterpower]

Originally Posted by swoody

I am looking to eventually replace my power steering with a manual rack, and possibly put an under-drive pulley on the car.

If this is on your Civic DX. There is no need to change the rack out to have manual steering.

Remove the pump and hoses, drain the fluid by spinning the steering wheel lock to lock ten times or so. Then plug the holes in the rack where the hoses went. Now you have manual steering for cheap. I did this three years ago with no problems. If there is a clunk when steering, you might need to re-tension the rack. Mine needed that anyway.

I would not recommend an under-drive pulley. This helps save HP when you are at high RPM but we tend to keep the revs lower. On mine anyway this would be TOO low for the accessories.

[Christ]

Hamster - the power and manual racks are not the same. The manual rack has a longer steering ratio than the power rack does.

[tjts1]

So what?

[hamsterpower]

Originally Posted by Christ

Hamster - the power and manual racks are not the same. The manual rack has a longer steering ratio than the power rack does.

You are correct sir!
I was just saying it is a LOT easier and cheaper, comparable in effort, and in my opinion a reasonable way to accomplish the goal.

The difference is about half a turn of the wheel.

[cfg83]

hamsterpower -

Originally Posted by hamsterpower

If this is on your Civic DX. There is no need to change the rack out to have manual steering.

Remove the pump and hoses, drain the fluid by spinning the steering wheel lock to lock ten times or so. Then plug the holes in the rack where the hoses went. Now you have manual steering for cheap. I did this three years ago with no problems. If there is a clunk when steering, you might need to re-tension the rack. Mine needed that anyway.

...

Huh. I heard for my Saturn, you still need fluid to keep the steering lubricated. In my case, you cut the hoses halfway, fill them with fluid, and connect them together with a double-hose-barb and clamps to "close the loop".

CarloSW2

[tjts1]

Always drain the fluid when depowering a steering rack. Leaving fluid in the rack will only make steering more difficult. There will be plenty of PS fluid left on the surface of the rack parts to lubricate It for years provided that you seal off the rack. My rack is going on 2 years+ depoweded dry.