Flaming River 1530

[rsimoes]

Has anyone installed one of these power steering units in their Cobra?

If so, how is it? Work well? What ratio is it?

Thanks!

Rob

[klayfish]

Rob,
You mean manual steering rack, don't you? Repeat after me...a Cobra does not need power steering. Your builder knows what he is talking about.

Steve

[rsimoes]

I haven't decided yet, but I want to find out all the facts before making a decision. . . .

I'll make a decision, after driving one with a 460 to see what it is like in a parking lot.

My 91 Civic is a bear to steer and it's only an aluminum 4 cyl. . . also, it's 3.75 turn lock to lock, way to slow for performance driving. The quicker it is, the harder it will be. . .

You know me by now, research everything in detail, make one decision. . .

[wadesdad]

Rob,

I used the stock PS provided through A&C (Mustang II) I really like it. Its your car put in whatever you like.

People rave about Flaming River. It is made about 5 miles from my home. Nice group of car nuts there.

I get lots of grief for my PS from people, however, NASCAR and some Cobra builders insist on power steering. I also have power brakes and a C-6. My Fred Flintstone feet made 3 pedals out of the question. Perhaps I've ruined the resale to a purist, but it is really a pleasure to drive and can be done so for a long time with no fatigue.

I put nearly 2700 miles on my car between August and October '02 and couldn't be happier.

[rsimoes]

I didn't know A&C provided a power steering unit. Is it variable assist? How does it feel on the highway vs. parking? Do you know the ratio?

Thanks!

[klayfish]

Rob,
I know you research a lot, and you should. It's your car. But I also know you want handling similar to what your C5 had. While you can never compare the two cars, they are apples and oranges, remember how short the Cobra wheelbase is. Power steering, in my opinion, will give you sort of a "numbness" in the steering, which can make the car feel vague and unsure in handling. It can be harder to feel what the car is doing with power steering, and with a car as twitchy as the Cobra, that can be a bad thing.
If you really want power steering, I recommend looking into a power Mustang rack with the Heidts valve. That way, you can dial in how much power assist you want. I'm thinking about ditching my Flaming River 18:1 rack for that idea. In fact, I'm not thinking about it, I'm definitely getting rid of the 18:1. It's far too slow ratio for me in autox. The Heidts set up will allow me to dial in some power steering for autox, where I really have to cut left right, and then turn it off on the street. You may actually like the FR 18:1 rack if you're only street driving your car. It's great for street driving. Lots of feel, plenty of feedback, not as twitchy. Tony loves them. If you want mine, we can talk, as I want to replace mine anyway. My FR rack is only about 8 months old, and has less than 1000 miles on it.
Actually, now may not be a bad time for you to go down to Tony and check out different steering. My car is there, as well as a few others. Feel free to sit in mine and check out the steering for yourself. I know my car is a few hundred pounds lighter, but you'll get the idea.

Steve

[wadesdad]

I don't have any specs on the ratio, but I'm sure a little research would let you know. Flaming River might even tell you if you're comparing theirs to a stock unit. There is not much effort required for parking. On the highway, all I can say is that it feels good. It is probably a little isolated in feeling, but haveing built the car myself, I don't want to explore the limits.

It did respond really well a few times when the rear end wanted to come around after I got on it way too hard coming out of a turn. No drama, just straightened out effortlessly.

[Back in Black]

Note that it is NOT full power steering, but merely lower speed assist. It is VERY responsive and quick.

[rsimoes]

What type of steering do you have? What ratio?