Am I interpreting the "stock part" rule correctly?

[Dave_G]

I've been wanting to remove the power steering from my 1990 Miata, but have refrained from doing so for fear of running afoul of the "stock component" portion of the SS/ST rules, the one that says all components must be of "stock configuration," and that
[quote]A “stock componentâ€

[Grippy]

I think you have it right.

Drop in a manual rack and forget about it.

[nhsilversti]

didnt your PS belt break and you cant seem to locate a new one due to a worldwide backorder

[brucesallen]

In other words, I'm thinking:
- Remove the PS pump and install a manual rack - (legal)
- Remove the PS pump and keep the PS rack (illegal)

Is this correct?

You are correct.

[offcamber09]

Does the part have to be "stock" or "in stock"

[ctkag]

Ted's comment has merit if you can bypass the ps pump with whatever belt configuration you have. That would effectively disable the ps and keep the pump in the car.

[chaos4NH]

Damn! Jr Johnson doesn't have anything on the way these guys stretch the belts.....I mean the rules!!

[Dave_G]

Thanks for the clarification, guys. I'm glad I checked before I did anything irreversible.

Drop in a manual rack and forget about it.

Yeah, except the manual rack has a slower steering ratio than the PS rack. I'd rather keep my current steering ratio. Given that keeping the PS entails both zero cost and zero labor, my decision is easy.

if you can bypass the ps pump with whatever belt configuration you have. That would effectively disable the ps and keep the pump in the car.

Even if I wasn't afraid that that was somehow cheating, that's not an option anyway. If you just disable the pump you end up with impossibly hard steering (yes, even in a Miata!). You've got to give the fluid in the rack someplace to go, which is why people who do this loop the lines from one side of the rack to the other. Then the PS fluid can slosh around inside the rack when you turn the wheel.

But if I did that, it would put me in SPC, and that's where all the scary Miatas play. I like ST4 just fine.

[Grippy]

I switched to a manual rack and didn't even notice the difference in ratio on the track, I think it is more obvious on the street and auto-X. It is only a slight difference anyway.

The best way to de-power a rack is to take it apart and cut off the piston and seal on the rack. No more moving any fluid. You can also adjust the preload on the bearings which can reduce the turning effort. Someone sells a set of plugs to remove the hoses completely which is much cleaner looking than looping the hoses (and lighter). Keith Tanner has a nice how to writeup on his site.

Just keep your eyes open for a used manual rack for $50, they are out there.

[skivittlerjimb]

The slower ratio might be fine on the track, but Dave's Miata is a pretty competent CSP autox ride, too. I say stick to ST4, Dave, and leave the rack as is.

SPB is pretty much a lost cause for an old ride like mine, as is SM in autox, but I like my car and don't really care too much about class results. Raw time comparisons are fun, and useful for either ego-stoking or improvement self-motivation as needed.

I've thought about manual rack conversion on my GVR4 for weight savings and simplicity under hood, but that'd mean going from a little less than 3 turns lock-to-lock to 4.1 turns lock-to-lock with a 1.8L DSM rack. Talk about sawing at the wheel. Are steering quickeners legal in SP, or does that make you Prepared? Just kidding...

[offcamber09]

We've got a manual rack out of a 1992-as of yesterday- $100 b.o.

Fastrack- 978-977-0707

[Dave_G]

We've got a manual rack out of a 1992

Scott, thanks for the heads-up. But like Jim says, my car does double-duty as an auto-x car too, (actually triple-duty since I also drive it on the street), and I know enough people who hate their slow-ratio manual rack in that environment that I've decided to stick with PS for now.

It served me pretty well in ST4 last year -- if only I can keep it up this year!

[breakaway500]

Why do you want to remove the power steering?Is is a weight issue or possibly that you do not care for the pump and hose clutter? Just wondering.
My Atom does not have power steering and after a day of A/X I feel like I just climbed off a motocross bike. Tough to get old

[JackFFR1846]

If you were to "lose a belt" and one of the steering rack hoses were to fall off and drain all the fluid, I suppose you'd still be inside the letter of the law. It's essentially how Factory Five Cobras were done initially.

I suppose that if someone really, really wanted to protest you, there might be some 'splaining to do, but.......

jack