P/S Or More HP?
 

My race car has no power steering... The Steering system is setup for power steering though... So I'm just assuming that whole P/S system was removed for the gain in HP... My question is: Is it really worth the gain in HP to remove the P/S system? Or should I add it back on?

Power steering takes very little H.P. to operate,unless you are running a class that is extremely limited in H.P. I would go back to the power steering for the better handling and ability to use a faster ratio.Bill

I agree with Bill (and he would definitely know), however, be aware that as soon as I swapped my '69 stepside over to P/S, I can't keep my leadfoot wife out from behind the wheel! That reminds me, I need a new pair of 50's out back now too.

Lol Alrighty than... P/S Pump is going back on! Thanks guys

When I was racing with my BB Chevys and also driving those on the street. I never had to make the decision. My engine made that decision for me. I lost the power steering belt every pass until I just said forget it. I did have a clutch car though so that might make a difference.

Ed

POWER STEERING IS JUST ONE MORE THING TO SCREW UP GOING 100 MILES AN HOUR THAT CAN GET YOU KILLED VERY FAST!!!!- :oops: -I WILL TAKE MANUAL STEERING ANY DAY FOR A CAR SCREAMING DOWN A DRAGSTRIP---BEEN THERE/ HAD BAD EXPERIENCES/ WON'T DUE IT AGAIN :? :?

My old 73 nova had a power steering unit on it that was on the car when I got it with the holes plugged up on the gear box where the lines went, it was very hard to drive in the pits with that thing but I dealt with it cause like the others said its just something else to either get you killed on the big end our put you out of the race for a leak or something stupid like that.
I came across a manual box for my nova and I thought I had power steering it was so nice, not to mention it was considerabliy lighter than that p/s unit so I chunked it and never looked back.

Going by the guys handle nascarlatemod06 I assumed it was a circle track car he was asking the question about.Bill

i am with Livley...MANUAL STEER for me also..to easy to over steer a power steer drag car....if you cannot find a manual box ..you can plug (loop) the power steer and have it re-worked for a quicker ratio and a different pitmit arm that will suit the dragstrip...My wifes 69 camaro is a power steer i looped the lines and with her 3 inch rims and front runners..its not that bad for her even in the pits....now a street car with 8 inch front wheels can be a bitch with plugging a power steer as you probably know already..

brian

Bill Hendren wrote:Bill,
You are correct and he had some of the posts which are no more. He has recently picked up the car (a Buick Regal with 350 and manual 3-speed) and the previous owner had done a lot of option deletes .... sway bar link, front shock, oil dipstick, and the power steering pump.

nascarlatemod06
I don't see how you could have the "feel" of the car with a power steering box and no pump. So, I think that what small amount the ps pump would use that you could make it up in handling. But, I guess it would depend on the speeds, size of the tires, and the type of track. I don't have any experience on this, but just a thought.

Bill M