[jcp123]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

The way I would look at it is, the pump still has resale value if the car goes, and it saves enough gas to pay for itself relatively quickly, unlike a lot of modifications. You can also drop it into another car. However your car is pretty light, no PS is probably just fine. My old MR2 with 900lbs over the front wheels was borderline okay to steer with the power steering turned off (aka, extra hard to turn compared to looped rack), but definitely unpleasant. My FR-S with 1450 lbs over the front wheels and electric steering is perhaps a little more difficult with the car powered off, enough to make me grateful for power steering.

Only 1 week ago did I discover how much power belt-driven hydraulic PS robbed! Aside from the water pump (which is always needed anyways, making it a more acceptable loss), the power steering pump is the least efficient thing on the belt, running at full power and 0% efficiency a majority of the time.

Even on a big V8 powered car which usually runs at super low load, dropping a few Nm of load from the belt should be a noticeable fuel economy increase.

Probably true on the salability of the pump. This car's next stop is getting run over the scales LOL. It's ugly but it keeps on running. I'll do basic maintenance and such but if anything even halfway major goes, I don't think the car will be worth it.

As to effort, like I said, I have had wheel time behind plenty of manual steering cars. I learned stick in a '66 Mustang with a 289, 4-speed, and manual drums. I liked the experience enough that my next project will have a three on the tree with overdrive (old Borg Warner unit), and again manual steering and brakes. The Echo will be a breeze.