Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
- hppwdn
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Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
Backstory: A year or so ago I took out my power steering pump, reservoir etc and just looped the lines. I knew it would suck and it sucked REALLY BAD to drive it.
After a lot of research and some advice from dan[sac] I finally got around to tackling the problem.
Since I have an MX3 it was pretty easy. Even though the MX3 wasn't offered with manual steering you can order a manual rack from a 323 and it bolts right up to the MX3 subframe.
The weight difference is minimal, but the ease of driving will be a pleasant surprise compared to driving a power rack with no power.
I just have to get some new tie rod ends and I'll be off to the alignment shop and happily driving around.
A good benefit should be more control of steering during burnouts. Hopefully that may get me a tad more traction off the line.
Subframe out with manual rack sitting in front.
Two racks next to each other.
New rack installed on the subframe.
More pics to follow once it's installed.
After a lot of research and some advice from dan[sac] I finally got around to tackling the problem.
Since I have an MX3 it was pretty easy. Even though the MX3 wasn't offered with manual steering you can order a manual rack from a 323 and it bolts right up to the MX3 subframe.
The weight difference is minimal, but the ease of driving will be a pleasant surprise compared to driving a power rack with no power.
I just have to get some new tie rod ends and I'll be off to the alignment shop and happily driving around.
A good benefit should be more control of steering during burnouts. Hopefully that may get me a tad more traction off the line.
Subframe out with manual rack sitting in front.
Two racks next to each other.
New rack installed on the subframe.
More pics to follow once it's installed.
92 MX3 Turbo ($100 junkyard KLG4) 11.904 @ 124.3mph, 14psi, DOT approved Hoosier drags, pump gas.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
- fowljesse
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
Thanks for putting up pics. I've wondered about this, and would really like to drive it.
'93 GS - P&P DE w/ ZE exh. cams/ pistns, KLG4 IM, 65mm TB, MSnS, Phenos, K&N RAI, UDP, Grnd wires, rear batt, filld MM, torq strt, TWM short shftr, Exedy, Lng tube hdrs 2.5" Side exhaust, H&R sprngs, Poly bushngs, strutbars, Alum. crss mmber&tiebar, 22mm swybar, solid links, Direzzas, leather int, Alpine 9805 stereo & alrm, keyless entry, 10 Boston Accoustics spkrs, Prjectrs, Blaster2, CF hood, FG hatch, Lexan
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
i thought there was a difference in tie rod length and thred size. I depowered my mx3 rack but if u can get this to work ill be switching to 323 pure manual.
- hppwdn
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
The part numbers for the tie rod ends are the same.mazdamx3freak wrote:i thought there was a difference in tie rod length and thred size. I depowered my mx3 rack but if u can get this to work ill be switching to 323 pure manual.
The part numbers for the inner tie rods are different, but since the rack came with new tie rods for the 323 I'm going to see how it fits. The two cars are onnly 1 inch different in width so if each tie rod is 1/2" shorter I think that would be fine.
Also, it has been tested and an MX3 tie rod will bolt right up to a 323 manual rack, so worst case, if the possible length difference is an issue, I'll just swap out the tie rods from my MX3.
Should know the total outcome very soon.
92 MX3 Turbo ($100 junkyard KLG4) 11.904 @ 124.3mph, 14psi, DOT approved Hoosier drags, pump gas.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
- fowljesse
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
Is there a car with a similar setup to yours, with P/S that you can drive, to feel the difference? It would be great if you could get a couple of opinions.
'93 GS - P&P DE w/ ZE exh. cams/ pistns, KLG4 IM, 65mm TB, MSnS, Phenos, K&N RAI, UDP, Grnd wires, rear batt, filld MM, torq strt, TWM short shftr, Exedy, Lng tube hdrs 2.5" Side exhaust, H&R sprngs, Poly bushngs, strutbars, Alum. crss mmber&tiebar, 22mm swybar, solid links, Direzzas, leather int, Alpine 9805 stereo & alrm, keyless entry, 10 Boston Accoustics spkrs, Prjectrs, Blaster2, CF hood, FG hatch, Lexan
- hppwdn
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
I drove mine with power steering forever. If the MX3 with manual steering drives anything like my Civic that came factory with manual steering it will be an almost unnoticeable difference.
92 MX3 Turbo ($100 junkyard KLG4) 11.904 @ 124.3mph, 14psi, DOT approved Hoosier drags, pump gas.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
What's the advantage of manual over power steering?
1994 Mazda MX3 RS | Rebuilt B6DE | Stock
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
well to the 4cyl guys not a whole lot besides weight and motor strain imo ..... but for the v6 gents and to me its the satisfaction of removing the forever leaking ps pump ( due to placement and poor design imo) not to mention more room in an already crowded bay. manual ftw!MCNano117 wrote:What's the advantage of manual over power steering?
- hppwdn
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
I got it all installed last night. It's all connected to the steeering wheel and hubs just fine. Tonight I'll finish some other projects I was doing and hopefully have time for a test drive today or tomorrow.
92 MX3 Turbo ($100 junkyard KLG4) 11.904 @ 124.3mph, 14psi, DOT approved Hoosier drags, pump gas.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
- Mooneggs
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
wow this is a great write up with pics! if this works out for you I am definately interested in doing this on my fast car!
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92 mx-3 gs klze 'race car' IP 15.05 @ 92.5mph
92 mx-3 gs klze 'daily driver' IP 14.55 @ 95.7mph
http://www.cardomain.com/id/Mooneggs
- hppwdn
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
Everything is all put back together. It's too late to test drive now so I'll be doing it first thing when I get home tomorrow.
92 MX3 Turbo ($100 junkyard KLG4) 11.904 @ 124.3mph, 14psi, DOT approved Hoosier drags, pump gas.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
- hotsiit
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
I am interested in this as well
My original plan is to just loop the lines and get rid of the pump etc... Minor weight savings, cleans up the engine bay a little, and one less thing to break
I am not positive, but is the 323 manual rack more turns lock-to-lock than even the 4cyl's 3.1?
My original plan is to just loop the lines and get rid of the pump etc... Minor weight savings, cleans up the engine bay a little, and one less thing to break
I am not positive, but is the 323 manual rack more turns lock-to-lock than even the 4cyl's 3.1?
Chris--It's HOTNESS, you wouldn't understand! -- Donate to MX-3.com--It'll make you feel good!
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1993 Mazda MX-3 RS-Turbo
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http://www.cardomain.com/id/colonelsmx3
1993 Mazda MX-3 RS-Turbo
1993 Mazda RX-7 touring
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD Sedan
1987 Jeep Comanche
- hppwdn
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
Don't loop the lines. You'll hate it. I would never recommend looping the lines.hotsiit wrote:I am interested in this as well
My original plan is to just loop the lines and get rid of the pump etc... Minor weight savings, cleans up the engine bay a little, and one less thing to break
I am not positive, but is the 323 manual rack more turns lock-to-lock than even the 4cyl's 3.1?
The 323 Manual Rack is 4.5 turns lock to lock.
92 MX3 Turbo ($100 junkyard KLG4) 11.904 @ 124.3mph, 14psi, DOT approved Hoosier drags, pump gas.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
- eyezpinned
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
buy a suicide knob (a quality one off a set of hand controls). makes driving a car w/ no power a lot easier. ive had to drive w/ one from day and they make a HUGE difference w/ no power
93 rs: tokico struts & eibach springs, 15' rota gt3s, cf hood & gas lid, 2.5' exhaust w high-flow cat, tranny cooler, reupholstered seats, custom black interior, chrome miata handles, momo wheel & ebrake, spyder black projector lights w hid, altezzas, clear corners/sides, eclipse 8454 hu, diamond hex components w/ 3-way add-on & an re se 15' powered by 300/2v2 & 500/1 jl slash amps, corksport mazdaspeed bumper, euro mini sideskirts, fresh paint
- hppwdn
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Re: Who needs power steering when you can have manual.
TEST DRIVE RESULTS:
I drove it today and it's GLORIOUS!!!. It's a million times better than it was. It's completely easy to drive in every way. It wouldn't have bothered me one bit to go straight from power steering to this rack.
I drove it today and it's GLORIOUS!!!. It's a million times better than it was. It's completely easy to drive in every way. It wouldn't have bothered me one bit to go straight from power steering to this rack.
92 MX3 Turbo ($100 junkyard KLG4) 11.904 @ 124.3mph, 14psi, DOT approved Hoosier drags, pump gas.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.
NSCRA 2009 FWD Drag Radial Finalist
HIN/NOPI Supershow Class Winner - Miami 2010 - Street-Sport Compact-Mazda
Links: Pretty Pic, GoFast Pic, Timeslip, Track Video
As of July 2011 the MX3 has been retired and sold.