T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
04-16-2008, 01:59 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 322
T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
Hey,
You may, or may not, agree with what I am about to say but I though it would be interesting to have a small debate here. I recently did three major changes on my 1967 coupe:
- Rebuilding the 289 (and switch to 4bbl)
- Switching from C4 to T5
- Removing the power steering
It may come from the fact that in my country we don't have automatic cars (I'm from France and live in California) but I completely rediscovered my car with the T5. It gives me so much more pleasure: I am driving now! It seems lighter, more powerful, it sounds better (double clutching is a pleasure) and I also save on gas. What are you all waiting for?
Now let's talk about the power steering! Well, it is not a daily driver and I completely understand that it would not be appropriate in this case. But if you have a week-end car, isn't the whole goal to take pleasure with it? It weights less, it gives a tiny bit more power (2/3 hp, the psychological side) and you feel like you are driving a muscle car! I love it!
This said, I understand that we all have a different approach when it comes to Mustang. And this one is mine
You may, or may not, agree with what I am about to say but I though it would be interesting to have a small debate here. I recently did three major changes on my 1967 coupe:
- Rebuilding the 289 (and switch to 4bbl)
- Switching from C4 to T5
- Removing the power steering
It may come from the fact that in my country we don't have automatic cars (I'm from France and live in California) but I completely rediscovered my car with the T5. It gives me so much more pleasure: I am driving now! It seems lighter, more powerful, it sounds better (double clutching is a pleasure) and I also save on gas. What are you all waiting for?
Now let's talk about the power steering! Well, it is not a daily driver and I completely understand that it would not be appropriate in this case. But if you have a week-end car, isn't the whole goal to take pleasure with it? It weights less, it gives a tiny bit more power (2/3 hp, the psychological side) and you feel like you are driving a muscle car! I love it!
This said, I understand that we all have a different approach when it comes to Mustang. And this one is mine
04-16-2008, 04:01 PM
#3
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location:
Posts: 81
RE: T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
I am pleased with the way my car drives with one exception... It is a manual steering car, and although they're all new components, most of the driving I do is around town, where very slow turning gets tiresome. How do I eat my hamburger and french fries while I'm fighting that steering wheel? When I bought a pulley system for the front end of the engine, I planned on power steering, I just haven't popped for the rack and pinion yet. When I get that going, I will truly enjoy driving the old beast. I cannot imagine missing that manual steering box.
04-16-2008, 04:57 PM
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hills of California
Posts: 5,208
RE: T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
My car is a daily driver I removed the Power steering and put in a flaming river gearbox.
Its not overly difficult to steer in parking lots and road feel is much better. I love it.
-Gun
Its not overly difficult to steer in parking lots and road feel is much better. I love it.
-Gun
04-16-2008, 05:03 PM
#5
6th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MD/WV
Posts: 5,736
RE: T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
I decided to go with manual since it was aton cheaper and simpler to buy an adapter, than the entire PS setup.
I was also told that Mustangs with PS seem alittle "floaty" on the nose.
I was also told that Mustangs with PS seem alittle "floaty" on the nose.
04-16-2008, 05:35 PM
#7
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,266
RE: T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
hahaha scouttrooper's got it in a nutshell
if you wanna eat burgers and drink beer while you drive, then stay with the power steering.
if you're into hammering a few bends in the road, go manual.
I found the old ram system so light as to transmit no road feel back through the steering wheel. That's fine on my fairlane which is a lot heavier and a great cruising car.
baddog, I just fitted roller spring perches. They helped. I already had a roller idler quick steer kit and 16:1 box. the quick steer has longer idler and pitman arms. Great for the track but increases steering effort around town. The ilder wore prematurely (<2000 miles). I would not recommend the quick steer for street cars.
I still have faith in the roller concept so I am going back to stock pittman arm and stock length roller idler. I'll let you know in a few weeks when it turns up!
if you wanna eat burgers and drink beer while you drive, then stay with the power steering.
if you're into hammering a few bends in the road, go manual.
I found the old ram system so light as to transmit no road feel back through the steering wheel. That's fine on my fairlane which is a lot heavier and a great cruising car.
baddog, I just fitted roller spring perches. They helped. I already had a roller idler quick steer kit and 16:1 box. the quick steer has longer idler and pitman arms. Great for the track but increases steering effort around town. The ilder wore prematurely (<2000 miles). I would not recommend the quick steer for street cars.
I still have faith in the roller concept so I am going back to stock pittman arm and stock length roller idler. I'll let you know in a few weeks when it turns up!
04-17-2008, 05:20 PM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 322
RE: T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
ORIGINAL: kalli
can't wait for my T5. it's currently sitting in New Jersey depot waiting to go on a ship over to Ireland ...
can't wait for my T5. it's currently sitting in New Jersey depot waiting to go on a ship over to Ireland ...
... and I put my new shifter stick + **** yesterday : hum [8D]
04-17-2008, 10:14 PM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 27
RE: T5 and no power steering : the real deal!
How do I tell what kind of transmission I have? Someone converted my car from an automatic to a manual some time ago, but I haven't seen any specific markings. I also noticed that contrary to my ford shop manual, the spedometer cable is on the bottom of the transmission instead of the top. My shift pattern is
R 1 3
2 4
which threw me for a loop the first time I tried to find reverse, I was used to the volkswagens!
Also, will there be problems switching to a flaming river setup if I have aftermarket headers? The engine is a 289 and I'm pretty sure it doesn't have stock ones, but I am unsure of the manufacturer at this time.
R 1 3
2 4
which threw me for a loop the first time I tried to find reverse, I was used to the volkswagens!
Also, will there be problems switching to a flaming river setup if I have aftermarket headers? The engine is a 289 and I'm pretty sure it doesn't have stock ones, but I am unsure of the manufacturer at this time.