Progressive power steering

[josh95mx]

So this is something that I have been thinking about for some time, has anyone ever tried swapping to a progressive rack like out of an RX7?

Driving around the GS, it is great but once you hit freeway speeds and if you are on it, it is so loose and quick. I am pretty used to the RX8, but I have been thinking about doing some kind of progressive rack in my AWD MX like adapting the RX8 electronic system to the MX or I came across an older system from a 2nd gen RX7 with hydraulic progressive PS.

Any thoughts?

[jay]

Cute. Let us know if it works.

[josh95mx]

I try to be every now and then.

But really though, someone was telling me the other day that they had hooked up a cut off to the PS so at higher speeds they could shut it off for tighter steering. I thought that was dumb, and actually started looking into it more. there are some racks that could be adapted. I was just wondering if anyone has actually done it vs swapping in a manual rack or plugging off their lines.

[atomicEGT]

You mean the FC power steering setup that always breaks? Or the similar system from the turbo Probes?

[Mazda_Powered]

Hey Josh, have you tried driving a BG chassis with manual steering or manual steering conversion/hack? I think you'll befriend it if you're finding the p/s system a bit too loose...I'm almost on that bandwagon myself.

[atomicEGT]

the manual steering on my wagon is amazing.

[89BG 323]

Josh, if you have never experienced the manual steering in a bg, ive got 2 bg's in the driveway that have no power steering. come on up and drive one.

[bogaut]

manual rack ftw

[CODY004WD]

the manual steering on my wagon is amazing.

Ditto. I do however like the power steering on my probe. Progressive is cool when it works correctly. But it's not cool when it fails.

For BG's, I've done Hacked PS deletes, Manual rack swaps, and the properly de-powered MX3 GS Power rack. I rate them in that order from worst to best. I love the MX3 rack de-powered. Tight steering for sure.

[josh95mx]

Perhaps that is what I should try first. I have thought about going to a manual rack in the AWD car, just couldent get myself to go through with it. I have not driven a BG with a manual rack but I should. I have a 55' ford and had a small 89' Hundai, and an 88' civic with manual steering and hated them. my MG was nice with a manual rack. I have driven my AWD MX without PS for a few days and it sucked balls. I would have expected it to be similar to a manual rack. I am at the point if I do something I want to do it right with the right parts and no hack jobs. So I may take you up on test driving your BG 89BG 323

I am just throwing thoughts out there, and figured someone had to have given it a try at some point. In the upper RPM's with a little wheel spin the PS sucks in the GS, and I feel a manual rack might be the way to go. I like the wheel to feel kind of heavy vs so light you can flip it side to side with a feather.

[89BG 323]

the great thing about a manual rack in these things is that you ge SOOOO much more road feel. its like that extra link that helps make you and the car one entity. i love it.
What part of Wa are you in? we could meet up in the middle somewhere or something so you wouldnt have to drive all the way up here.

[Wilyb]

So just how much easier is it to steer a BG rack with looped lines compared to a de powered MX3 GS V6 rack? Can someone give me a percentage so to speak?

[atomicEGT]

de-powered rack > welded fittings > looped lines > no belt

more or less.

[DuRWooD]

You forgot greased pulleys in your list.

[josh95mx]

What is the ratio on the Manual rack vs the MX GS power rack?