Power Steering on the Zed

[620Z]

Well the time has come where I am going to finally put some power steering into my car. Not sure if this is the right category on this site but seemed the closest fit.

Anyway I know this has been done a bit on other sites and I bit of stuff on the subject. But I want to know what people on this site had to say about comparing the Mazda MX5 and Subaru Racks.

In the past people have talked about one or the other. What I would like to know is which one is the strongest or has the lightest steering? To my way of thinking the Mazda one requires the least amount of mods to the front cross member. To me the less chopping the better so I am "steering" towards the Mazda MX5 rack. But is it strong enough or light enough to handle 1320kg car? Does anyone know what specs on a steering rack would tell me this if I was to look up and compare the two racks? Is it the Pump or the diametre of the rack that makes it better?

I will try and speak to an "expert" at some time but was hoping we might have an expert on this site to give me a heads up. All comments are welcome to enlighten me on what is best for my car.

[RBZ 260]

Craig,

 

i keep hearing rumors about the mx5 rack but still havent seen one in flesh. though one my mates just opened a mazda wrecker in Melbourne and ive allready let him know that i want one when it comes in.

 

ive installed a subi one in mine (what model beats me) i think its from leone or brumby but they very similar from the outside to liberty and impreza.

 

though i love the power steering feel in the z with this rack but only down fall i can pick on is the number of turns from lock to lock bit more than what i would preffer. I guess need to check the ratio on the subi racks between the models. 

 

though while this is only an issue while parking in tight spots. driving the car seem to be ok. than again i didnt have the car sideways enough to need big counter steer. i guess with more turns from lock to lock will loose time in catching the rear end ( i guess u racing and not drifting so may not be a problem)

 

though it feels solid fairly close to s14 and r32 etc.... prob not as heavy as commondoors and falcons.

 

Like you i dont like cutting or moding the subframe. though i had to little bit but no major cutting was involved with the subaru.

 

i should have some pics floating around. but i would advise to first check the mx5. another car prob worth having a closer look at is a rack from e36 bmw.

 

[620Z]

Thanks for the heads up RBZ. If it's lighter or the same as a Holden or Ford then I would be happy with that. I just presumed the lock was one to one like the standard steering. With the power does it lose the one to one cornering? Also I presume it is not variable by the speed or load on the wheel.

I have seen some pictures on Hybid Zed (and printed them) of an MX5 rack and it almost just slotted straight in with no hacking to the cross member. It looks so neat. Do you have a contact for your mate at Mazda here in Melbourne. Maybe I should pay him a visit. Otherwise I am sort of thinking I might just buy a new one to make sure it is all OK.

[RBZ 260]

to tell you the truth i havent realy fanged it around corners yet. little bit yesterday and i was shocked how well it turned. lot better than my s14. and thats with fairly worn tyres.

 

didnt pay too much attention to steering but i think it may not be 1:1. than again i didnt pay to much attention to steering (im not a particulary good circuit guy, had  small misfortunes going fast around corner few years back and scared the C#@P out of me) so i preffer straight line drag and occasional drift (still learning) but im getting urges again for the twisty stuff.

 

ill let you know next time.

 

as for the mazda wrecker i dont know where he is but im going to melbourne in March to catch up with few ppl and with him. Any Z meets or mini cruises planned? i think i'll be there from  7th to 10th inclusive. Ill post the number when i talk to him next time.

 

 

 

 

[620Z]

No worries.

Cheers

[V8Datto]

I'd be interested in a power steering rack as well, let us know how you go.

 

-Adrian

[mossy]

Just saw this on ebay

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Complete-bolt-on-power-steering-kit-for-1-6L-MX5-89_W0QQitemZ180217647809QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33589QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[620Z]

That's the one Mossy. Excellent find. I reckon I might try and get that one. I will have to speed up my enquiries to make sure it will do the job. As usual I will probably never know till it is in the car. Cheers

Actually I just did some checking and the MX5 Car weighed 1042kg compared to the Subaru of 1400kg. So something tells me that maybe the Subarua steering might be beefier and handle the weight of my car 1320kg better. Any comments or recommendations people?

[RBZ 260]

looking at the pic it aint much different from the subi one.

 

i think you be up for similar mods to this one as with subi. ie i think the power head on the rack is at the same angle spot as subi.

 

so the right hand engine mount has to be cleared/slotted modified.

 

only thing u may get away with is not making new pipes as per subaru one if u dont want to cut big chunks out of the subframe the power head on the subaru rack has to be rotated 180deg and new piping made. though even with this u still need to make few "dents" on the subframe to clear one of the pipe entries. than again those pipes aint a great expense to go through.

 

a recond subi rack cost me $150 with the pipes remade and head rotated. and further $35 to shorten the arms and rethread.ive made my other pipes myself but "enzed" or "pertek" could make new pipes for bit more cash.

 

in my case i also included the r32 power steering cooling lines that sit just in front of the condenser.

 

but check the subi ratio since our little discussion im starting to hate mine.feels bit like a van when you weant to change directions quickly ie when in carpark.ill mark it up and check what ratio it is.

[620Z]

The MX5 rack "shaft" is narrower or smaller in diametre than the Subi rack. The picture I have of the MX5 conversion doesn't seem to have any butchering of the cross member. I am still undecided. At least the auction doesn't finish for a few days.