Removed '00 Civic power steering belt and got good results but...
 

Car is a 2000 civic DX hatchback, automatic.

I removed the PS belt to see how it would affect mileage and not only did I get about a 2mpg bump, but the car is noticeably more responsive to drive.

Bummer is that it is sluggish to turn at slow speeds (more so than the manual rack in my CRX) and converting it over would be a permanent thing as far as I have seen. I'm sure I could get used to it, but the wife absolutely would not.

So for some of you either looping the system (keeping it wet, like here: Power steering delete - Page 2 - D-series.org) or converting it over to a 96-97 CX manual rack is a good option for getting some mileage and pep.

For my wife's sake, the belts going back in, and I'll consider some other ways to recapture that lost mileage.

Install a clutch pulley on your power steering pump to sorta turn it on and off?

That would be idea, or a speed-regulated bypass of some kind.

Even under-driving it somehow would be great. I must admit its a great PS system for what it is, but its a power hog on such a little motor.

You can try checking out oem parts bins for smaller pullies or larger pullies, keeping in mind a larger pulley will make the accesory turn slower but the pulley itself will be heavier sort of cancelling it out. underdrive racing kits are usually made out of aluminum so the saving in power is from the piece being so much lighter, not the diameter. I can see 'hair splitters' drilling holes and lathing when they can't find a direct replacement. My gas saver doesnt even have PS so my only draggers are the water pump and the alternator. if/when it goes im going to ask the autozone guy to bring out a few alts and compare pullies just for kicks.

I agree!

Pulleys make a HUGE difference, all the way around...

Luckily, there are lots of under-drive kits out there for Honda CiViCs! :thumbup:

honda civic pulley kit 00 - Google Product Search

Amazingly, the stock PS pulley looks swiss cheesed already. :)

The crank pulley size is the biggy, no pun intended... ;)

The smaller, the better!

Just a warning about underdriving...

I do a lot of EOC. The engine is off more than it is on. Battery voltage is a problem, since the alternator is running less than 50% duty cycle. If I did an underdrive conversion, I would run the battery into the ground in no time. Winter makes this worse, with headlights needed in the dark.

I was thinking of installing a clutched pulley no mine, and simply using the VSS signal to turn off the power steering over (lets say) 40mph.

Problem is getting that clutch pulley!

So far I have only seen electric clutches for lawn mowers but I dont know if that would work... ?? Any other ideas of where to buy or get an electronic clutch pulley?