manual power steering

[OttawaFFRer]

Gents,
I've read lots of posts regarding how much better power steering is than manual, but I think I can make it work with manual. A few of my previous vehicles were manual steering and were heavier than the roadster so I understand what I'll be dealing with.

My question is, how does a flaming river manual rack of varying ratio compare to a de-powered powered rack.

By de-powered I mean truly de-powered, opened up and removing the internals to allow the rack to move freely.

It's on my list of projects to de-power the rack so I want to be sure I'm not pushing chain.

Thanks,
Vic

[michael everson]

iI wouldnt bother with the depowered rack. They get tighter and tighter as time goes on. I think the power steering fluid kept them lubricated. Get an 18:1 or even a 20:1 Flaming River rack and you will never regret it
Mike

[UpstateCobraGuy]

I also recommend FFR's 15" wooden steering wheel, my setup work very well with an 18:1 unisteer rack and 245 front tires.

HIH, Pat

[F5RSN8K]

I have the Flaming River manual steering and it works fine no problems. If I were to do it over I would go with power steering.

[claf]

One word description of the depowered manual rack-----AWFUL. I have an Autozone "real" manual rack and couldn't be happier. Bob

[riptide motorsport]

Youll need a dedicated manual rack, a depowered rack will be completely problematic,, if your going to go in , go in once and do it the first time.....HTH Steven

[Bob Cowan]

The problem with the power rack is that it's a fairly quick ratio. That's nice when it's powered; not so nice when it's manual.

The FR rack has a slightly lower ratio, as it's designed to be used w/o power. And, it appears to be of a higher quality than the Ford part.

I'v put about 300 miles on my cobra in the last week (Indian Summer). Mostly around town, some highway. With my manual rack, I never felt it was a problem, and I never wished for P/S. Not even in parking lots.

[OttawaFFRer]

Thanks guys, one less donor part to prep.

I still think I can do without power but it may end up being a rookie mistake...

So which do you think is the best manual rack to go with?

[snakeboost]

We do the Unisteer for $225.00 manual 15-1 or 18-1 ratio. For street I would recommend the 18-1. We also do the Flaming River stuff by special order. Give me a call!

Steve

[OttawaFFRer]

Steve,
I'll touch base with you March 1st on it. My wife says no more gear until we move into the house on the 28th. There are a few things I'll be needing...

Vic

[Joee]

Thanks guys, one less donor part to prep.

I still think I can do without power but it may end up being a rookie mistake...

So which do you think is the best manual rack to go with?

For street driving you will be fine. If you are considering AutoX go with the power, it is really hard to keep up with tight slalom turns going fast with a manual rack. I have one and I have driven modern power rack cars in AutoX as well. It can be done but it requires ALOT of effort.

[Ophitoxaemia]

I drove and raced the depowered rack for a while. I was young and in great shape then, but used to have to take Advil because the tendons in my elbow would swell up. No one else was able to drive the car. Been powered since 2001 and prefer it.

[Darren]

I have manual on my car. Sitting in the garage I can turn the wheel with one hand fairly easily. I have driven manual and thought it was just fine. I have the FFR supplied manual rack and 255s on front.

[efnfast]

Don't use a depowered one, absolutely horrible.

Buy the Flaming River unit Breeze carries - if somebody finds that too much steering effort in a cobra, then there's something wrong.

I've never once wished I went powered rack.(infact, reading about all the leaks people have, I'm glad I didn't!)

[efnfast]

Thanks guys, one less donor part to prep.

I still think I can do without power but it may end up being a rookie mistake...

So which do you think is the best manual rack to go with?

I like

http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=485&cat_id=12

Not the best for autocross, but fine for street driving.

[Pierre B]

My MKII came with a manual steering rack from FF, but I don't believe it was a Flaming River. After 12,000 or so miles of driving, I can tell you that unassisted steering with the rack gearing works fine, and I am very pleased with the road feel. This car is light enough that steering effort is never an issue, even when I parallel park. I have power steering on my BMW Z3 Coupe, but that car is considerably heavier. Since I built using a donor 302 with EFI (and no heater, AC or other heavy accessories), front end loading of the steering/suspension is about as light as it can be, and I have always been careful about not turning a steering wheel unless the vehicle is already rolling, if only slightly. Oh yes, I have just turned 68 years old and I don't lift weights!

[MHCobra]

I have the Flaming River manual steering and it works fine no problems. If I were to do it over I would go with power steering.

I had a Flaming River 18:1- worked great. Then I got talked into power steering. I would never go back! I love power steering.

Mike

[AC Bill]

I may be old school, but I always liked the feed back, and road feel, that a non-power steering car offers. I have the F/River 15:1 ratio manual rack and really enjoy the feel and the response. Less headaches to worry about as well. No hydraulic lines to rub, or fittings to leak, and no added belts to throw. Keeps the engine compartment much neater as well. :)

[OttawaFFRer]

the to power or not to power issue kills me.

I have everything from the donor for power...So it would be easy to do, would it not?

But I'm just hitting 40 this year, and I'm sure I still have enough power in these arms to use manual...I'm 6'2 220 and athletic most years, not this one...;)

As a comparison, I had a '72 porsche when I was in my 20's, it was upgraded to a 2.7 eurosport, 6 pack webers...it was a fun car. I loved the steering on it, it felt 'direct', if I ran over a tar strip on the road the car would want to follow it, and the car would steer itself around graded corners.

can I expect that feel from a manual?

Thanks...and of course, cheers.
Victor

[MHCobra]

When I had manual, it would follow road imperfections-tire groves, rises in tar, bridge groves,etc. Sometimes these things were uncomfortable but manageable. They're more comfortable with power steering, and I still think I have good road feel.

Mike

[South Dakobra]

I like my Flaiming River Quick Ratio manual steering, just feels like I can put it on a line and it sticks there even in the corners. Power Steering seemed to be just one more thing to worry about. These cars are small, yeah obvious. :-) You could add power brakes too, but there's no need. I've had power steering in light streetrods before and it was twitchy and exhausting to drive at highway speed, yeah I could have dealt with valves to set the steering levels, but a hotrod is supposed to be simple and manageable.

[Howard]

You hear of folks going from manual to power, but never from power back to manual.

'Nuff said.

My power steering feels like OEM - good feedback, and easy on the freeway or in a parking lot.

[Ophitoxaemia]

I was just thinking the other day if I stopped autocrossing I would change to a manual rack. Maybe.

[OttawaFFRer]

I have a funny feeling I`ll waffle on this decision, before, during, and after whatever I decide.