Tighter Steering?

[elbles]

For anyone in this forum who has ever driven a Miata, MR2 Spyder, or S2000, you know how tight the steering is in those cars. There is no free play in the steering column at all, it feels as though you are "connected" directly to the front wheels, without any "interference" from power steering components, etc. (albeit without the effort necessary if power steering were not there). Is there anyway to make a 240 feel more like this, aside from removing the power steering/wider tires, etc? My dad had an old 240Z (1971, I think), and had a similar complaint about it, but he never "fixed" it. Any responses would be appreciated.

[InstantRice]

no idea how to make steering tighter but i've driven a s2000 and an mr-s and i personally dont agree with the "connected" thing with the s2k. i think the s2k's steering has alot of play in it (not that thats necessarily a bad thing)

[Anand]

I know you said "without removing power steering" but that to me would be the best solution to "fix" the problem...

[Cyberkreig]

underdrive the power steering pump.

[InstantRice]

Werd

[elbles]

Would underdriving the P/S pump decrease the life of the pump? And that would only increase the effort necessary to steer, correct? That would help with my problem, but if I am thinking correctly (a rare thing for me), that would still leave the free play in the steering, right?

Oh, and InstantRice, the S2000 might have some free play, but it is tighter than the 240. My dad is registering his new S2000 tomorrow, so as soon as he goes away for a weekend, I'll be sure to do some "Risky Business", and do a full comparison of the 2 car's steering mechanisms. :-)

[InstantRice]

heh, when i was trying to get a honda dealership to sponser a car show some of my friends put on i got to test it for the first time, its fun as all hell. I feel the 240 has better steering but yes it is "tighter"

[elbles]

Hehe, the first time my dad test drove a S2k, he was driving it relatively mildly (meaning not getting much above 6,000 RPMs). I told him it was redlined at 9,000 RPMs . . . he put it in 1st, and nailed it. Instant addiction. :-)

[Cyberkreig]

well i have no PS, and the amount of free play in the steering is drasticaly reduced (a few mm now as to maybe a cm before). So i can only reason that the pressure from the PS pump dulls the steering, probably b/c you are moving fluid, not the rack. You said you wanted to keep PS, so underdrive is my only solution.

[i2ice4m3]

I heard disconnecting the power steering on a car originally designed for power steering is really bad for it.