Manual vs. power rack

[steveyoung]

Just looking for some opinions on manual vs power, my project has a power rack but as light as the car should be is it needed? Seems like overkill. It currently has 245s on the front with a '03 cobra knock off wheels but it will most likely end up with the halibrand copy's and DOT stickies😄

[Hankl]

Power, you can alway use a reduction valve.

Hank

[CraigS]

For a street car w/ narrow tires you can probably get away w/ the slow manual rack. But, to make your car drive more like a modern car, go w/ a 3.0 turns power rack. You will be glad you did. There have been maybe two people who went power to manual and 100s who went manual to power.

[steveyoung]

that makes good sense, thanks we will proceed acordingly!

[edwardb]

I always point this out (and likely some are tired of hearing it...) every time the manual vs. power steering discussion comes up: Don't think of it as just about steering effort. That seems to be what most focus on. But power steering also allows you to significantly increase the caster angle of your front spindles, providing better stability and centering while driving down the road. The manual setup drives good, the power setup drives better. I've had both, and won't be going back to manual.

[tfalk]

I have 265-35-18's on the front with Avon auto-cross tires. I've actually bent the steering wheel trying
to turn the car..... The last time I worked on the car (several years ago), I was in the process of converting
it to power steering. Unless you like driving a truck, go with a power rack...

[David Hodgkins]

First build was manual. Second is power.

I'll be switching the 1st to power this winter. It just makes for an easier driving car.

:)

[steveyoung]

thanks guys, advice is always the best teacher! i'm not a fan of the pump and bracket but the driveability will certianly outweigh the cosmetic issues!

[Gbeck]

You might consider the Unisteer electric power steering unit. I'm considering it in my build. Kinda pricey though.

I found in another post that Mike Fortes handles it.
http://www.unisteer.com/electric-power-steering/search-by-product/electric-power-steering.html

[HCP 65 COUPE]

You could also run fast Freddies electric hydraulic here's a link.

There is quite a few people around here running this setup.

http://www.fastfreddiesfabrications.com/shop/product.php?id_product=4

[steveyoung]

That is a good looking set up but for that $ I'd rather have an alum. flywheel and a set of sticky tires to take out to Hallet!

[CraigS]

And don't forget that to fill those coupe wheel wheels you can run 315 front and 335 rears so those 315s really increase the needed effort.