Power Steering yes or no?

r1_Addict · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 10:37 AM

For all you Cobra drivers out there, is it worth it to build my car with power steering?

HighPlainsDrifter · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 10:50 AM

Hi,
That depends on what engine and what you are going to do with your cobra. I have a power rack and pinion from a 5 L mustang. It turns REAL quick ,15:1 ratio. With a big 460 up front and a wide set of tires believe me- I need a power rack to park this thing. If you are going to autocross the car you need a quick rack, the old mustang II rack is slow and your hands will be in a knot sawing back and forth on the wheel- go to a 14" steering wheel, much easier getting in and out of the car.
Perry.

ItBites · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 11:18 AM

I have Vette steering and suspension under my Midstates and have power steering. With a BBC and wide tires it is very nice to drive. I think the pump I have is a tiny one from Speedway Motors (NE). I also use a cooler for the fluid and have a remote reservoir.

It all works well and I've had no problems.

scottj · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 11:20 AM

I wanted a quick ratio- I've got 2-1/8 turns lock to lock so power assist was necassary. I used a KRC race pump that has interchangable valves to vary the amount of assist. I also used a 13" wheel. Steering is very quick. I can negotiate most turns with out regripping the wheel. IMO it was worth it.
Scott

r1_Addict · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 11:59 AM

Awesome! This is pretty much what I was thinking, light and nimble...

speed220mph · #6 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 12:05 PM

Power steering? No.

scottj · #7 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by speed220mph

Power steering? No.

Tom,

Power steering no worth it? Power steering no needed? Power steering no good?

Please expatiate.
Scott

Bruce Edwards · #8 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 01:12 PM

Power steering racks have a faster turn rate/less turns lock to lock so steering is faster. It is easier to steer at slow stop and go speeds with those big fat front tires and takes less effort to make all those little adjustments as you drive at slow speed. If you are like a lot of Cobra owners you are not as young as you were and the extra help is worth it. In the long run it is a small price to pay for the added comfort when driving the car.

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 02:51 PM

scottj has the NICE setup!!!!

When I was autocrossing the "to many turns" lock to lock was killing me! A low speed four wheel drift or the back kicking out at low speed put SO much pressure on the steering system it was incredibly hard to steer OUT of such a manuver. Consequently more than once I almost "hit the wall".

100% for sure I would use sottz method. You want "quick" but you want to tailor the "feedback" for a good road feel. That means being able to adjust the pressure.

I believe FFR spec racers are REQUIRED to run P.S. ?

Ernie

Mr.Fixit · #10 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 03:36 PM

I did work on a Johnex cobra with a manual "sweet" (I think) rack, man was that quick. Too quick for many drivers, get a little loose and overcorrection is a given. It was less than 3 turns lock to lock. It wasn't too hard to turn, even doing a 3-point turnaround, i don't think it needed power assist. Unless you are definately planning on doing parking lot autocrossing, I think the costs outweigh the benefits.

Maybe I am just too used to slow ratio steering,

bmalone · #11 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 03:47 PM

I have manual with an iron BB. I think it is fine for parking. IMO, manual gives a better "feel" for the road at most any speed.

Jack21 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 05:00 PM

I have power steering and I love it. Makes the car a joy to drive, and a breeze to park. Not that expensive, and the cost is worth it.

The trick is choosing the right parts for your intended use.

1) PS Rack. Although the CR is an MII front suspension setup, the MII power rack is not the rack to use. The MII weighs about 60 lb., and a late '79 - up weighs about 20 lb.

AGR Racing re-manufactures racks and pumps for sport use, and Summit carries them. The "Standard" ratio is a standard late '79-up Mustang power rack with high effort valving. Ratio is about 20:1, and turns lock to lock is a little over 3. Standard ratio for Cobra use in anything but Gymkana is way plenty, and the high effort valving gives good road feel. They also have a fast ratio version with a 15:1 ratio with a little over 2 turns lock to lock. For Mustangs in the twisties, this might work out OK. For a Cobra, I think it would overcontrol.

The CR frame (this is undocumented) is slotted on the passengers side to accept either MII, or late Mustang rack, so this is a bolt in.

2) Am using a 14" Lecarra steering wheel. Looks good, drives good, adds a touch of class, amd makes the car a little easier to get into, and out of.

3) PS Pump. AGR remanufactures low drag, low loss PS pumps for a variety of applications, and Summit carries them. They make both Ford, and Saginaw pumps. ( I don't want to call them Chevy pumps because Ford Pickups and Vans that use recirculating ball steering boxes use Saginaw pumps. My PS bracket )out of a pickup) for Saginaw pump has Ford P/N stamped on it. I used the Saginaw pump, and chromed the case for "Cool" eye candy. Had I Ford brackets, would have used Ford pump.

In street rodding, using MII power racks with Saginaw pumps is the bane of all street rodders. RB's Antique Automotive sells a Saginaw pump pressure relief valve for $39,95 that makes the line pressure more Ford friendly. Used one, works as advertized.

4) Used a March PS pulley for a Sag pump. Itlooks good, and works trouble free.

5) Lines. This is the Mickey Mouse Part. High side line. Used parts house GM line for the pump, and cut off the hose at the pump end. Used parts house Mustang line, and cut off the hose at the rack end. Measured distance between the two ends (~8") and had a hydraulics shop (Fork lift truck repair) make a a high side connecter line. 3/8" on the pump, and 5'16" on the rack.

Return line required Ford parts rack return fitting properly butchered, a piece of rubber 3/8" fuel injection hose between the Ford rack return line, and the Sag pump inlet, and it all worked!

Filled the reservoir with Mobil 1 syntnetic PS fluid and "Fired 'er up". What a mess. The air trapped in the PS cylinder must be purged and I know of no non-messy way to do it.

But, it's worked perfectly ever since now with 15,000 miles on the Odometer.

Double Venom · #13 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 05:29 PM

SB...NO! Not for serious driving. Flaming river has different ratios and one will be right for you.

BB...Hmm maybe depending on the entire set up.

Just for street use, parking, and cruising, well I guess if you really want to.

DV...just another opinion. (Less than 1/2 of 1% of our customers that demand power steering leave it on the car after a year.)

ERA649 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 05:37 PM

NO! You don't need it and it take HP to run it.

Bruce Edwards · #15 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 05:55 PM

Even NASCAR runs pumps. They still go 200 mph. So for the 5 or 10 hp at most to drive the pump and steer with one hand around a corner after a 4 way stop is real advantage. More so if the wife will not let go of your hand.
Plus pulling the car back straight after that rear end tries to walk in front of the car is more fun if you can wave to your fans as you go by!
I would like to know how many of you folks ever get to use all that power under your hood any way. How many racers out there are all tied up in how much power they can get out as apposed to just enjoying the car?