power vs manual steering in autox

Auto-X, Road Race, SCCA, NASA, & other motorsports
 Reply

power vs manual steering in autox

By jrowley
- Mon May 13, 2013 3:59 pm #331673 Hi guys I'm just trying to get some opinions and hopefully some hands on experience w using a manual rack vs a power steering rack in autox . I'm shooting for running in the st class this year w my ex coupe right now has power steering but I have always enjoyed the feedback from manual racks but given the low speed corners will it benefit me to swap out power steering or keep it?

Constructive criticism only please :)
User avatar

By teal_dx
- Tue May 14, 2013 2:02 am #331692 As long as you're moving, there is not much of a noticeable difference. I converted to manual. The power rack actually has a slightly quicker ratio than the manual rack, so by converting you get the best of both worlds. Unless you're trying to turn at a standstill :lol: :D

By civicexracer
- Fri May 31, 2013 10:05 pm #332356 If you've never autox'd before, it really doesn't make a difference... You'll be far more focused on staying on course and not looking dumb than your steering wheel lol.

FWIW, I love the feel of a manual rack. My '91 Si has a manual rack with a smaller Momo steering wheel. It's very responsive and gives great feedback. My '95 still has the power steering and OEM steering wheel. I feel like I'm driving a bus going from one car to the other with how big the wheel is. I feel in some of the real hot days and after a couple of runs going through some fast transition portions like a slalom, the steering system struggles to keep up with my inputs and I can feel it lag and give some resistance.

But again, it doesn't matter if you're new to autox, you won't notice any of that..
User avatar

By Uknterror
- Sat Jun 01, 2013 4:23 am #332372 Go manual steering. With older power steering units response becomes twitchy and vague at high speeds. I know in AutoX you wont be getting in high speeds but manual steering provides the best response and doesn't leave you guessing how much steering input (if your really focused on that).

By civicexracer
- Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:23 pm #332391

By jrowley
- Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:51 am #332456 ^^ this is true I may consider myself good at handling a car but to you I probably suck lol so yeah once I get some track time and test my skill set I'll see if the manual rack is a change I'll want to make. Thanks
 Reply
Return to Auto-X