Remove power steering / brakes??

[496BEE]

I'm currently running factory power steering & brakes with a vacuum booster pump. After talking with some Mopar guys at the shop they are all telling me to remove everything and that it's not necessary / won't notice a difference because I now have skinnies. Also they are telling my to swap to a wilwood master brake cylinder..... What do you guys think, will I really miss not having power brakes and steering? How much weight will actually be saved? Also what cost is associated with deleting them? ... Still cruise on the street but by no means a daily driver ... Just a street / strip toy

 

[1967coronet440]

I was running manual drums all the way around, swapped out for wilwood disc sticking with manual, power steering im debating removing. I've been told by many that power steering and skinnies is not a good mix on the track. 700hp 505 in mine

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

I always run manual steering and brakes on a hot rod.

 

[496BEE]

What makes it not a good combo? Does manuel increase breaking power ?

I was running manual drums all the way around, swapped out for wilwood disc sticking with manual, power steering im debating removing. I've been told by many that power steering and skinnies is not a good mix on the track. 700hp 505 in mine

 

[496BEE]

Is manuel steering that tough with skinnies ?

I always run manual steering and brakes on a hot rod.

 

[LemonWedge]

I've always thought of removing power steering as a safety issue more than anything. Sure, you'll save some weight and even free up a little horsepower by going to manual (minimal of each however). But keep in mind that stock power steering units are certainly not designed to operate at 6500 RPM; and if a failure occurs that spills fluid under the car, the combination of that fluid along with drag slicks and 100+ mph is sure to be disasterous.

 

[496BEE]

What components are needed to swap from ps/pb to manuel? Do I need a different steering box or can I just take the part stuff out? Besides a master cylinder what else is needed to remove pb ?

 

[67 GTX]

What components are needed to swap from ps/pb to manuel? Do I need a different steering box or can I just take the part stuff out? Besides a master cylinder what else is needed to remove pb ?

To swap to manual steering you'll need a manual steering box. They're different.

On the brakes side, you may need to just re-bend some brake lines to line it all up, and possibly change the part that goes into the plunger.

 

[67Satty]

The steering shafts are also different lengths. I went with one of these:

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0008/s0009/FR1505M

But there are also cheaper ways to do it:

http://www.firmfeel.com/b_body_mopar_column_adapter.html

 

[747mopar]

My opinion is unless your planning on serious competition then why remove them but that's just me. I like a nice cruising car that's easy to straighten out in a slide and can be stopped effortlessly.

 

[496BEE]

Just letting everyone know aerospace is running a 35% off sale with free shipping.. Placing my order tomorrow

 

[PurpleBeeper]

If you drive in traffic a lot you'll miss the power brakes, if not, no biggie. My car came manual steering & I switched to power. The ONLY reason I did it was because I have to park in Chicago in parking spaces 2" smaller than my car. (seriously...you have to experience it to believe it). I just couldn't crank that steering wheel with both hands 4-5 times every time I parked anymore.

I've definitely noticed that the power steering (all stock stuff) is a little "twitchy". The steering wheel moves really easily and turns sharply. That's great for parking....not sure if I want it "twitchy" at the end of the 1/4 mile, but we'll see. Firm Feel, Flaming River & some others have "manual feeling" power steering boxes which would have been a better choice for me.

I've heard I lose 30hp with power steering (sounds like a lot, but maybe). I doubt that manual brakes will gain more than 2hp for you (if that).

 

[496BEE]

Not really about gaining hp, more about reducing rotating mass / unsprung mass. Also after speaking with aerospace I am going to move the pivet point on the peddle to give me more of a mechanical advantage. Hopefully not too bad

If you drive in traffic a lot you'll miss the power brakes, if not, no biggie. My car came manual steering & I switched to power. The ONLY reason I did it was because I have to park in Chicago in parking spaces 2" smaller than my car. (seriously...you have to experience it to believe it). I just couldn't crank that steering wheel with both hands 4-5 times every time I parked anymore.

I've definitely noticed that the power steering (all stock stuff) is a little "twitchy". The steering wheel moves really easily and turns sharply. That's great for parking....not sure if I want it "twitchy" at the end of the 1/4 mile, but we'll see. Firm Feel, Flaming River & some others have "manual feeling" power steering boxes which would have been a better choice for me.

I've heard I lose 30hp with power steering (sounds like a lot, but maybe). I doubt that manual brakes will gain more than 2hp for you (if that).

 

[496BEE]

Also I know what you mean with parking, I work in NYC . Don't know how you do it, I couldn't imagine.

 

[daytona kid]

If you start drag racing regularly and/or plan to do it for a while I think most racers will agree that manual steer and brakes are better for several reasons, a lot of serious racers don't even run alternators, but safety is the best reason. Some racers frown on guys that race a lot with power steer and brakes. You have more of a chance at wrecking or wrecking the next guy down the track. If you are not going to be cornering hard on the street you may want to save some weight by removing your sway bar.

 

[Bigal75]

I swapped out power brakes and power steering. Cleans everything up in the engine bay and I don't find it bad at all driving around town. 67 RT with HEMI. So it's no lightweight.

 

[drobertson]

Another thing to consider is steering wheel diameter. A regular 73 Steering column has a rather large diameter, and would be easier to turn than a tuff wheel or small aftermarket wheel. Leverage is your friend.

 

[66Satellite47]

My Satellite has manual brakes & manual steering. Manual brakes are no big deal if you have any leg strength. Steering is OK if you don't need to do much parallel parking. My steering wheel is a large '70's big car setup.

 

[496BEE]

I actually just got in the mail my new brakes yesterday from aerospace . Actually allot nicer than I anticipated then to be, can't wait to get them on

 

[daytona kid]

I actually just got in the mail my new brakes yesterday from aerospace . Actually allot nicer than I anticipated then to be, can't wait to get them on

we need pics