[poni]

Ok guys I got the question of the month .. hehe at least for me. A damn chipmunk ate through a power steering line and my power steering pump is now gone. I am in the process of making a street/track coupe AKA not a daily driver..

This will be a Twin Turbo coupe so space and heat are factors in this decission.

Should I opt to go with the Flaming River manual rack kit or just go ahead and stay with the powersteering.

I have heard the up's and down's of the switch like only gaining 3-4hp for taking the ps pump off and only reducing the weight to 30lbs.

It is not a daily driver and I dont parrell pard the thing. My question is it worth it ???

[vbrpete]

Sounds like the same car I'm building.I just did the 4-to-8 conversion on my '89 hatch,and while the motor was out dropped in the manual rack from a JY '78 Fairmont.Perfect fit,of course,and even came with a polyurethane rag joint from the factory.I've done this on three street cars,including a daily driver 351W powered '81 coupe with a C4.As long as the tire sizes are not too large,it's not bad at all for daily duty as the factory rack has a fairly slow ratio and turns easily.All you have to do is get the car moving,even the slightest amount,and turning is a breeze.
As far as other advantages-the factory pump actually can draw as much as 25 horses at 4500 rpm;less if it's a new pump,but a lot of cars have old,noisy CII ps pumps.On cars I've done this to,you can FEEL the difference,even see it on the tach.The engine just seems to run up much more freely without the extra drag.
The engine bay becomes less cluttered without the hoses n'stuff,especially if the car originally had a PS cooler loop in front of the rad.The space where the pump was looks much better with a turbo in it.
Finally,the car SOUNDS better without that noisy,whiny,grindy pump turning away in there.All you hear is motor.
Keep us updated on the progress of the turbo job!

[poni]

Ok question.... Is it better to find a Junkyard Rack and Pinion or just go ahead and go with the Flaming River($380.00). Also I am not to uptodate on the power steering pump and it's acessories. So i am assuming the cooler type device in front of my radiator with 2 tubes going to it is the cooler you are talking about. If so good cause i wanted to remove that as well.

When removing the Power steering... ? just the Pump, Cooler, and hoses.. go ?? or is there more ??

and does anyone know if the flaming river kit comes with everything u need ??

Thanks guys for all your help in advanced ....

[86Cobra]

I agree with vbrpete. Going manual is a great thing.

I use a 79 Mustang manual rack I got new from Checker for $110. It works fine with my stock tie rod ends.

The manual racks have a smaller input shaft. You can get the FR fancy manual shaft ($160), a new coupler that attaches to the bottom of your exisiting shaft ($75), or find a manual shaft in a jy.

[poni]

OK guys .. this entry has been out for a while but wanted to ask a question .... I have a chance to get a 1980 Mustang Manual rack with new tie rod ends which is ready to bolt in for 90.00 bucks.. It Has the bushings, tierod ends and the steering shaft coupler.

Will this fit and emlimate my Power Steering on my 92 Coupe .. and will i need any other parts ??

Also what has to come out besides the PS Pump and the hoses???

Thanks....

[vbrpete]

Nothing else really needs to come out,but you WILL have to do some work on the front of the motor to make a belt fit properly.You can change the water pump to an older F-150 pump which is physically identical outside but has the standard rotation impeller.Again,the combination of accessories you use(air pump?A/C?Auto tensioner?)will determine what has to be done with pulleys etc and then finally the belt size you'll need.
$90.00 is a deal as the old manual racks don't really wear out.The one on my '89 5.8 has now been on FOUR of my cars and is originally from a '78 Fairmont that had over 105,000 MILES on it when pulled.New tie rod ends,fresh grease and that was IT.Cool.