Miata Mailing List: May 1998, Message #224

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> >the pump?) I was thinking I might like the shorter-ratio rack w/o the
> power
> >assist..
> I think that would be a good option for a race car, where speeds under
> about 30 mph are rare, and you never need to parallel park, but I think

Good point. I was worried I'd wreck the unit running without a pump.

>
> I have the non power steering car, and I like it, but parking is an
> effort. Some people claim its too much of an effort, but I dont

I love my 95R's manual steering and find the effort absolutely no problem.
I only drove my '90 for about 30m before dismantling but immediately felt
a manual rack was in order. Not quite as boosted as my Mom's Acura 3.2 TL (I
got quite queasy parking the thing..) but not as nice as the '95's manual.

> think so.
> I think going from the 3.4 to the 2.8 rack would change that.
>
> Why dont you just try removing the belt to the pump, see what you
> think...

I'll give it a shot. (I'm in the middle of an engine/tranny rebuild. With
the
engine bay so accessible, a rack swap now made sense.) I can always do it
later
with the engine back in the car..

I'll just have to remove the pump and plug up the lines.. :)

Thanks!

-Brian