Power Steering a Must?

[scottie]

Guys/Gals-

I've been looking up pics on the internet and there appear to be plenty of no power steering drifters. I have an 89 coupe I plan to lighten up, make around 320-350 rwhp and use coilovers and chassis stiffening items. Anyways just getting an opinion from you all on the board. Do you think drifting requires power steering? I drove my friends RX7 without it and I loved it. Feels really responsive and I could easily drive with one hand above 10 mph. Bust then again I never drifted it. Just wondering what you all thought about this?

scott

[Toahk]

Yeah you dont need it, its just nice IMO. I went without it for a few months and it was a PITA on city driving.

[matlock]

I currently don't have PS, and It was really annoying at first at like low speeds in parking lots and stuff, but I practice driving with it and stuff and I "drift" with it, and stuff and I like it more than with PS because personally I don't overcorrect and it feels like the steering is a little more responsive. I am not a very skilled driver or experienced "drifter" but these are my personal feelings/experineces. on PS.

[old_s13]

most people wouldnt be able to drive without PS and cannot handle that type of steering feel. for drift, i think PS can be pretty useful.. it depends, i love not having it.. but thats just me.

- mike

[scottie]

Thanks for the replys. I will have to see how I like it. I know exactly what you mean. I feel I can push the car to its limit more without PS. I can feel exactly when the tires break loose.

scott

[RanciD]

At high speeds it's no harder than PS for the most part.. it's only really annoying at low speeds like around parking lots. Then it gets to be a hassle. I'm not sure if it's just my car (never driven an MR-2 with power steering) or because of not having power steering, but what I've got to watch out for is pot holes and stuff. They cause the steering wheel to jerk HARD. I prefer not having it.

[BoroFabulous]

most people wouldnt be able to drive without PS and cannot handle that type of steering feel. for drift, i think PS can be pretty useful.. it depends, i love not having it.. but thats just me.

- mike
Im going to second this one, for drifting powersteering is definitly a plus, at least in my short lived experience. Not only can you shift more wait around with PS, but you have more control over the amount of counter steer that the caster throws at you. Thus allowing me at least, to stay sideways for a much longer time. Also without PS, if you spin out and don't let go of the wheel it can actually brake your fingers. There are a couple of hatchi drivers ive heard of that have had literally, knuckle braking spins.

[old_s13]

I feel I can push the car to its limit more without PS.

Me too.


I can feel exactly when the tires break loose.

Me too.


At high speeds it's no harder than PS for the most part..

No, its tighter.. no doubt about that.


it's only really annoying at low speeds like around parking lots. Then it gets to be a hassle.

Not really, empty your steering rack of its fluid and its quite easy, even in parking lots. Its ONLY difficult when parallel parking in tight spots, thats the ONLY time its actually a pain in the ass.

- Mike

[RanciD]

My car wasn't factory equipped with power steering, I doubt there's any fluid in there. :) I mean physically turning the wheel.. it definitly is noticeably harder without power steering at low speeds. At high speeds (like on the highway) the steering feels tighter but as for actually turning the wheel I don't think it's much if at all harder than with power steering.

[Vatche]

yeah i love not having PS, i dont ever want it....i dont think drifting with one hand is worth getting PS back....i out handle PS anyday ;)