How many drive with manual steering?
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 707
How many drive with manual steering?
I'm getting my SR swapped soon. I was wondering how many of you guys kept your power steering. Is it really a pain to turn? Its extra money get all the power steering stuff cuz i have a '90. I'm trying to save as much as i can, so if its not really necessary, than thats fine.
Contributing Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,550
From: Slidell, LA
im not sure what it would be like after the sr swap, but on most cars ive driven without power steering, its like driving a stick in traffic: its not bad at first, but it gets old quick... I still love the feel of a five speed in my hand though^_^. Anyways, i would recommend trying to salvage power steering... but in the long run, if youre swapping an SR, ya cant just half@$$ it, you gotta go all the way. as ive always been told, "Go big or dont go at all" just some food for thought. Good luck 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 707
Also, i wouldn't really see this as a half-a*s job, because each decision has its pros and cons, it just comes down to preference. If you can deal with using your muscles while parking and want a little more response in steering...great, you can save a little money. If you have no muscles and need some assistance, its okay... just spend a little more and you'll be able to park using your pinky. Half-a*s would be using electical tape to re-wire and connect your harness cause you ran out of solder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 198
From: cali
pro: you learn the joys of zero mechanical intervention.
con: you also learn that parking lots are your worst enemy (when you're not trying to drift them)
pro: another mechanical thing that you dont have to worry about failing since you no longer use it.
con: if you're ever in a situation where you need to wrench the wheel over immediately, its not as easy.
pro: after you get used to it, if your arms get a lil stronger from all the low speed turns.
con: UNTIL you get used to it, your arms end up sore from all the low speed turns.
for me, i can give up power steering. i mean, some initial d boxes in my area have stiffer wheels than a car at road speed with no power steering. just know that if you do give it up, it will be a learning experience. dont drive like you normally do for a while, pay attention to the car and get used to how it feels with the change. dont quote me, but isnt the S13 power assist just a belt that you can remove? cuz if thas true (hoping) then you can always go back if you just cant do it without.
con: you also learn that parking lots are your worst enemy (when you're not trying to drift them)
pro: another mechanical thing that you dont have to worry about failing since you no longer use it.
con: if you're ever in a situation where you need to wrench the wheel over immediately, its not as easy.
pro: after you get used to it, if your arms get a lil stronger from all the low speed turns.
con: UNTIL you get used to it, your arms end up sore from all the low speed turns.
for me, i can give up power steering. i mean, some initial d boxes in my area have stiffer wheels than a car at road speed with no power steering. just know that if you do give it up, it will be a learning experience. dont drive like you normally do for a while, pay attention to the car and get used to how it feels with the change. dont quote me, but isnt the S13 power assist just a belt that you can remove? cuz if thas true (hoping) then you can always go back if you just cant do it without.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,440
From: Harrisburg, PA
I used to drive (read: beat the hell out of) my friends Honda CRX and it didn't have power steering. Like you said when your moving it feels the same, a little tougher when your at a stop and can be a pain in the *** if you have to paralell park
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 78
From: BoostGetsYouLaid
I sometimes have power steering, I have a leak so when i put fluid in it lasts about 1 1/2 weeks. But I have a 65 mustang with no AC or PS so i was used to it, so no big deal.
I went for like 3 weeks with no PS then put fluid in and was like "wtf m8" and I ended up almost wrecking because i forgot i had put fluid in and went to take a turn sharp and almost lost it.
I went for like 3 weeks with no PS then put fluid in and was like "wtf m8" and I ended up almost wrecking because i forgot i had put fluid in and went to take a turn sharp and almost lost it.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 198
From: cali
Originally posted by M374llic4
I sometimes have power steering, I have a leak so when i put fluid in it lasts about 1 1/2 weeks. But I have a 65 mustang with no AC or PS so i was used to it, so no big deal.
I went for like 3 weeks with no PS then put fluid in and was like "wtf m8" and I ended up almost wrecking because i forgot i had put fluid in and went to take a turn sharp and almost lost it.
I sometimes have power steering, I have a leak so when i put fluid in it lasts about 1 1/2 weeks. But I have a 65 mustang with no AC or PS so i was used to it, so no big deal.
I went for like 3 weeks with no PS then put fluid in and was like "wtf m8" and I ended up almost wrecking because i forgot i had put fluid in and went to take a turn sharp and almost lost it.
Contributing Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,550
From: Slidell, LA
Originally posted by JDMxDrift
Also, i wouldn't really see this as a half-a*s job, because each decision has its pros and cons, it just comes down to preference. If you can deal with using your muscles while parking and want a little more response in steering...great, you can save a little money. If you have no muscles and need some assistance, its okay... just spend a little more and you'll be able to park using your pinky. Half-a*s would be using electical tape to re-wire and connect your harness cause you ran out of solder.
Also, i wouldn't really see this as a half-a*s job, because each decision has its pros and cons, it just comes down to preference. If you can deal with using your muscles while parking and want a little more response in steering...great, you can save a little money. If you have no muscles and need some assistance, its okay... just spend a little more and you'll be able to park using your pinky. Half-a*s would be using electical tape to re-wire and connect your harness cause you ran out of solder.
