Heavy steering in my new 91

[Joe'sSHO]

I just picked up my brother's old 91 plus from the guy he sold it to (said it was too much car for him) and I have a question about the steering. I previously had a 93 which had the VAPS in it which made the steering nice and quick at low speeds and tightened up when I was at highway speeds. I don't know if this has made me biased or not but the steering in the 91 plus just seems VERY heavy all the time. It's good for highway driving but in town and in parking lots its a b****. I checked the power steering fluid and its pretty nasty (getting it flushed). Full, but nasty. The car has all new suspension so IDK if that might be a contributing factor. I talked to my bro about it and he said the steering has always been like that which makes me think that maybe I'm just not used to gen 1's steering. If anyone has any tips or ideas on how to make the steering quicker I would appreciate it. I'm open to all suggestions and opinions; even if it's to tell me to that I need to man up and learn how to steer a gen 1. Thanks.

 

[FAST4DR]

My 91's steering is a lot heavier than my 95's. At first I didn't like it, cause I was used to my 95's. But it is much better than the 95's. It stays the same all the time and doesn't drive me crazy like the 95's. I am going to disable the vaps on my 95. I can stand when it's a certain effort and then I make a turn slowing down and it seems to pause as the vaps changes.

VAPS sucks.

Will

 

[Joe'sSHO]

FAST4DR, you've pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. I think I just forgot what it was like to drive a non-VAPS SHO. I guess I'll just have to start wrenching on the SHO a little more and build those muscles up. Then the steering will feel so quick it'll be like driving a go-kart!

 

[qiksho]

I second that opinion. I hate the vaps in the 93. I prefer the steering of the non vaps cars. My 91 and 92 both take more effort, but they don't wander as easy and I think I can feel more of the car when taking turns.

 

[SHOdownTN]

I second that opinion. I hate the vaps in the 93. I prefer the steering of the non vaps cars. My 91 and 92 both take more effort, but they don't wander as easy and I think I can feel more of the car when taking turns.

I have a 93, is the VAPS what causes the drift feel I get if so is there any cure?

 

[qiksho]

I have a 93, is the VAPS what causes the drift feel I get if so is there any cure?

I was thinking about taking the vaps out, but my mom wants the car and she doesn't like hard steering. So I am not goin to take the effort as the car will be hers very shortly. I never have been a big fan of the autocraptic anyway

 

[FAST4DR]

I was thinking about taking the vaps out, but my mom wants the car and she doesn't like hard steering. So I am not goin to take the effort as the car will be hers very shortly. I never have been a big fan of the autocraptic anyway

Not very much effort involved. Just cut a wire and it's off. Hook the wire back up and it's back to normal. Put a switch in if you want to turn it on and off. Vaps instructions I haven't done this yet, so I can't say for sure it works, but I would imagine it does.

Will

 

[PAracer]

I haven't done this yet, so I can't say for sure it works, but I would imagine it does.

works like a charm. I think I did that mod within two weeks of owning my car.

 

[SHO--ripper]

Told you SHO

 

[SHOdownTN]

off to try it........ :****:

 

[FAST4DR]

To update.... I played with my vaps. I didn't cut the wire. My arm is long enough that I can unplug the unit while driving. :****: Sometimes there's advantages to being tall.

Ok, so I unplugged it at idle and then drove the car around. Not too good on the highway. Too touchy. Then I plugged it in, took it to 70mph and unplugged it. Too heavy at slow speeds and it pulls the idle down at slow speeds when trying to turn the wheel. I found the best setting for me is when going about 30-40 mph and unplug it. Then I can tolerate it at all speeds. Still not as nice as the 91's steering. I think I am going to hook up a switch, so that I can leave it on for regular driving and then for autocross or track I can set it how I want. I am going to try and put a couple switches in the radio controls on the dash, since I don't use them. Now I need to figure out what else to turn on and off. Maybe the ABS.

Will

 

[SHOdownTN]

To update.... I played with my vaps. I didn't cut the wire. My arm is long enough that I can unplug the unit while driving. :****: Sometimes there's advantages to being tall.

Ok, so I unplugged it at idle and then drove the car around. Not too good on the highway. Too touchy. Then I plugged it in, took it to 70mph and unplugged it. Too heavy at slow speeds and it pulls the idle down at slow speeds when trying to turn the wheel. I found the best setting for me is when going about 30-40 mph and unplug it. Then I can tolerate it at all speeds. Still not as nice as the 91's steering. I think I am going to hook up a switch, so that I can leave it on for regular driving and then for autocross or track I can set it how I want. I am going to try and put a couple switches in the radio controls on the dash, since I don't use them. Now I need to figure out what else to turn on and off. Maybe the ABS.

Will

I'm going to have to put a switch, I'm a short fellow. I cut my wire (purple w/ orange stripe) at idle, as you said it's touchy and feels almost to me like it did before but no drift that I was feeling before.

The drift I was feeling was when I was in a long turn with the wheel turned in one spot the wheel felt like it got loose then back over and over. It might still be there but I just got used to it over time.