Manual Rack

[corby_baby]

havent came across any discussion anywhere so i figure i will ask. do any of you guys depower the stock bf rack (cutting compressor ring, filling the line holes, everything)? not sure the exact lock to lock ratio either of the gtx racks.. ive been thinking about doing this but figured i would ask for input first.

[J.P.]

I've never driven mine without PS, but I also can't remember anyone in the last 12 years that I have owned these cars having a big problem with the PS on them. It is one of the things that Mazda built well, and seems to be pretty reliable. I do remember some drivers that have done rally, and rally-x saying that the car would really beat you up without it. Reducing driver fatigue during extended driving at the limit vs the small amount of parasitic loss of hp. I guess it would come down to what you are using it for. If gaining power is your goal, I do know someone who adapted a Toyota MR2 electric PS pump to work on their GTX.

[trailrider098]

mine is non PS, mostly cause i just never hooked up the lines after the BP swap. I dont mind it at all unless im in a parking lot

[azgtx]

The only real advantage that I can see is the extra room you will have without the pump. I swapped in a manual rack into the SE I have here. I did sacrifice some ratio though doing it but not that much to notice. On the GTX you will have to depower the rack as the 2WD units will not fit from what I can see.

[808]

I dont have power steering.. It is a bit rougher... But like trailrider said, it's not so bad when you're moving.

[FamiliaGT]

Matt, do you still have that manual rack I gave you when I bought my car?

[808]

I do.. I'm gonna test fit it in the rally car and see how it does. It may come right back out.

[corby_baby]

The only real advantage that I can see is the extra room you will have without the pump. I swapped in a manual rack into the SE I have here. I did sacrifice some ratio though doing it but not that much to notice. On the GTX you will have to depower the rack as the 2WD units will not fit from what I can see.

well i have noticed my pump leaking a little which is one reason i thought about converting it to manual. i also wouldnt mind having a cleaner engine bay which makes it a bit easier to work around in. ive driven a handful of manual rack miatas and they dont bother me. i was just curious if anyone has it in their car and what their opinion of it was.