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So I went to the junkyard and found a 1991-1992 Mazda 323 that looked like this
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... chback.jpg

It was a hatchback 4cyl. However, it had power steering. WTF...
I thought all 323s had manual steering?

Besides that 323, was a Mazda Protege 323 that looked like this
http://1-photos4.zibe.com/used-1992-maz ... -1-400.jpg

This too had power steering

I've seen reference to 90 - 94 323 manual rack is the one we want. Not as cheap, but you could buy a rebuilt unit for $150. Also there is a detailed write up on how to depower an MX3 power rack to get similar results. Link

Cool. But if I go to the junkyard and find a early 90s model 323, shouldn't it have a manual rack?

I was never under the impression that they were all manual.

I believe most 323s in north america did have power steering. I had 2 basic models myself that had power steering, but there could have been an option in other lesser developed countries that manual steering was more widespread that offered the 1.3 and 1.5l engines.

wytbishop wrote:I was never under the impression that they were all manual.

x2

Why do you guys want a manual rack? The performance gains from getting rid of the power steering pump are minimal...

My car was built with a manual rack.. The first autocross race I went to was a horror show.. 4:1 turning ratio of the rack, ment I had to move the steering wheel A LOT! to get threw slaloms.. This made driving the car in any kind of track environment near impossible. I swapped out the rack for a depowered base model mx3 rack.. This has about 3:1 turning ratio.. Being depowered the effort it took to maneuver the steering wheel was horrible... At the next autocross race again I found it to be horrible to drive.. Steering effort was so high that was it hard to make quick transitions... At this point in time I bucked up went to the wrecker and stripped an Mx3 of all its power steering stuff and installed it... I haven't looked back, infact since I am stripping my GF's writen off GS I am going to upgrade again to her power steering rack for the better turning ratio...

Thanks. I am thinking about this... I wish I could drive the different configurations. I am an athlete, currently an acrobat, so I thought that I wouldn't mind the extra effort. Do you think that I could drive a 323 to get an idea of what it would be like? I had one in Hawai'i, where there was a lot of twisty roads, but, of course didn't drive like I would my MX-3

Why get rid of power steering? Because the damn thing leaks after you take it out once. I'm goin to try to re-install it again but with some gasket maker. See if that helps

I've owned a 92 323 and it had power steering. Most I've seen in the junkers are power. Most of the pre 90's I've seen were manual.

Ya, I can't see autocrossing with a manual rack. I just whipped the car around one handed, palming it, hands flailing all over the place, I love it.

It's nice for any competitive motorsports where you concentrate less on the aspect of driving the car, and focusing more on what you need to do and where to put your car. I'm with crazycanadian, the power gains are minimal, and essetially, it doesn't matter if you're gaining a few hp, if your lines are off and you're not quick enough in the turns because you have manual steering, you don't be making those gains up on the straights...the time is all in the corners. Especially as the days goes on, you can start to get sloppy and racing becomes more work than fun.

Juans_93_MX3 wrote:Why get rid of power steering? Because the damn thing leaks after you take it out once. I'm goin to try to re-install it again but with some gasket maker. See if that helps

Where would you use RTV? I have replaced the pump once because the bearings were bad, but it wasn't leaking. I know the thing almost mists power steering fluid (atf) around the reservoir which is vented (and needs to be) so there is always some atf / power steering fluid around the vicinity of the reservoir. If the rack itself leaks don't know how you would seal other than replacing internal seals - best done with a rebuilt unit. Then there are the hoses themselves which you would just replace as needed.

I agree it is a bit messy, but think the advantage is worth the occasional need to do a little clean up inside the engine bay.

I have had more 323's then most. Power steering is an option. Base model 323's are more likely to have manual steering. When searching for a base 323 at the wrecker, look for one with black textured bumpers. These black bumper cars are base models. Vinyl seats scream base model also. 323's with body color smooth bumpers will most likely have power steering as they are upper model cars. The 323 manual rack is not very sporty, I prefer the MX-3 power rack, it probably only takes 2hp to run the power steering, I would keep it, not to mention changing a rack on a MX-3 is a pain in the a--.

I'd only change it when the time comes that all power steering is too old for these cars and unreplaceable...

Question is, can this be done for RHD MX-3's? I don't even know if the 323's we have here are remotely the same, they all look different....

If you take out the fluid you can lose the power steering & then have the option of adding fluid again to get it back... Assuming you are not a woman or weakling, although it aes parking lots suck! This has been one of my favorite mods & its eassy!