ChrisG 0 Posted June 4, 2007 Just wondering what peoples opinions are of PAS vs non PAS? Over the next few months I'm swapping to a BX GTi lump and can't decide whether to junk the power steering or keep it Is it an easy job to keep it with the new engine, or easier just to swap no a non PAS steering rack? I've owned both PAS and non PAS models but can't really decide which I prefer so maybe I'll just take the easier route as I have no real preference! Cheers, Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James_m 0 Posted June 4, 2007 If you dump the PAS, but keep the rack, it will be heavier than a non PAS car due to the quicker rack, so bear that in mind. Personally, id base the decision on the planned usage of the car. Daily driver in the city - PAS Weekend car outside the city -PAS rack disconnected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanG Dorset 0 Posted June 4, 2007 I dont have PAS and i find that it does seem very heavy and some times it can be a bit awkward. It can be a bit of a strugle for maneuvers at slow speeds. Some times i think i like not having it as you can feel the road more. I have always had it in my other cars and i think i am only just getting used to not having it. When i 1st got the car i wanted to try and add it on. I may still do as it does make every day driving a lot easier. If i lived in or did a lot of town driving i would probily want it more. well thats my opinion any way. All depends on you realy thought! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbo GTI 0 Posted June 4, 2007 I don't find it a problem not having power steering, felt heavy to begin with but my arms soon got used to it. Its essential to keep an eye on tyre pressures as being under inflated by a small amount makes a difference which is not felt with PAS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number2301 1 1 Cars Posted June 5, 2007 Go non PAS. I had both and PAS just feels disconnected to me. Sure its heavy during manoeuvres, but you get used to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisG 0 Posted June 5, 2007 Yeah, its been 6 years since I drove a non PAS 205 but never remember thinking it was too heavy. Think its time to start looking for a non PAS rack Have you found another motor yet??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrod 7 Posted June 5, 2007 (edited) Don't look for a non PAS rack, Remove all the pipes and Ram and you have a a quick(ish) rack. Edited June 5, 2007 by Jrod Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted June 5, 2007 i've had both, i never remember the non-pas being heavy. but driving a pas one now and trying non pas again i wouldn't go back. there is still plenty of feeling and feedback in the steering and only really feels light to me at motorway speeds. i've just converted mine to electric pas using a pump from a 106 for space in the engine bay and its brilliant! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Thomson 6 Posted June 5, 2007 I love the 205's PAS. You may get a little less feel than you would with non-PAS, but compared to any modern car the steering feel is immense. My 106 Rallye has non-PAS and I hate it. Ok, it's quite feelsome but it's so long-winded it's just daft. Try and wind on opposite-lock in a hurry and you have to push-and-pull the wheel like a demented gibbon. Late one night a few weeks ago I was doing some laps of my local motorway roundabout in the 205. You know the sort, two 100yd straights over the bridges linked by two nice radius bends that you can take at about 60. Anyway, I was being typically aggressive; giving it big flicks, turning-in sharply, and then catching and balancing the car on the throttle. 205 in its element, and Rob grinning like a freak. Did a few laps no problem, then on one corner the little bastard snapped completely sideways as I turned-in. Only option was to give it a big-armful of opposite lock and take to one of the exits. Fine, no problem, easy enough to sort out with a quickish rack and PAS.... but I'd have been f*cked in the 106. And for that reason alone, PAS is more than worth the slight loss of feel. IMHO, obviously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dream Weaver 2 Posted June 6, 2007 I'm in the process of re-fitting my PAS setup (just found this thread while searching for pas stuff). I hate driving my 205 since I started all the conversion work back in 2004, and before that I loved it - the only thing not on the car now that was before is the PAS so its going back on. At the moment, and with my SBC suspension, its just too hard to turn the thing in to tight bends, even when going quickly. And, as said above the PAS is brilliant, nice and weighty and not like modern cars. Just need to work out how its all fitted now as I just ripped it all out before so didn't make a note of anything - I think I have it sussed now though. Go for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisG 0 Posted June 6, 2007 Cheers boys, interesting arguments for both PAS and non PAS, and decided I think I will keep it after all Dreamweaver - funny you should have replied as I've just spend an hour reading your project thread and saw you were wanting to put PAS back in and that got me thinking . Excellent thread by the way, made me more determined and I'm just going for the straight Mi swap! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zowow 0 Posted June 6, 2007 its far nicer to chuck a gti round without PAS but then like someone said the PAS on older pugs isn't toooo light, its just right. dont think it matters on a gti, i once had a 1.3 escort - P reg so newish but it was soo heavy on the steering and had a wheezy pushrod engine from the 70s and a cat and exhaust gas recycling! poo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisG 0 Posted June 6, 2007 The steering really isn't that light, even with PAS and I like the way it feels. I think initially I was just being lazy, and didn't want the hassle of converting it when I put the Mi engine in. Is anybody running the 106 electric pump, and is this easy to fit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James_m 0 Posted June 6, 2007 I love the 205's PAS. You may get a little less feel than you would with non-PAS, but compared to any modern car the steering feel is immense. My 106 Rallye has non-PAS and I hate it. Ok, it's quite feelsome but it's so long-winded it's just daft. Try and wind on opposite-lock in a hurry and you have to push-and-pull the wheel like a demented gibbon. Late one night a few weeks ago I was doing some laps of my local motorway roundabout in the 205. You know the sort, two 100yd straights over the bridges linked by two nice radius bends that you can take at about 60. Anyway, I was being typically aggressive; giving it big flicks, turning-in sharply, and then catching and balancing the car on the throttle. 205 in its element, and Rob grinning like a freak. Did a few laps no problem, then on one corner the little bastard snapped completely sideways as I turned-in. Only option was to give it a big-armful of opposite lock and take to one of the exits. Fine, no problem, easy enough to sort out with a quickish rack and PAS.... but I'd have been f*cked in the 106. And for that reason alone, PAS is more than worth the slight loss of feel. IMHO, obviously. I suspect the 106 non pas rack is of a simular speed to the non pas 205 rack, and i agree its totally rubbish. The only options are Pas setup, or Pas rack disconnected. IMO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ricdat 0 Posted June 7, 2007 Has anyone ever put a completely electric power steering unit into a 205? That way there are no hydraulic hoses, no pump and no reservoir in the engine bay. They exist on a few cars now - just take out part of the steering column and bolt in the EPS unit..... Really easy when you say it fast. You can then also connect a potentiometer to the control wires so you can adjust the steering weight to suit yourself (also cheaper than buying an OEM controller - or it may be part of the donor's ECU). At least this part is easy. I have an S3 GTI and have tried disconnecting the PAS but did not like the steering weight when cornering hard - there was less finesse. Low speed manouevering not as easy either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
feb 47 Posted June 7, 2007 PAS improved the steering a lot, the steering doesn't want to jump from your hands when cornering hard now. Steering feel is just perfect not too light at all, but it could be my sticky pump helping things a bit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Super Josh 4 Posted June 7, 2007 PAS improved the steering a lot, the steering doesn't want to jump from your hands when cornering hard now. Steering feel is just perfect not too light at all, but it could be my sticky pump helping things a bit PAS all the way for me, especially with the Quaife installed, makes a nice assisted quick rack . Fivos, how does the 205 PAS compare to your WRX? Josh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number2301 1 1 Cars Posted June 8, 2007 Isn't there only .5 of a turn difference between the PAS and non-PAS rack? I always thought it was 3.2 to 3.7 turns. Either way I still reckon the PAS has comparatively no feel (I know it better than modern cars but that's not saying much is it!) so a quick rack is the way to go Have you found another motor yet??? Me? No, there's plenty of nice looking cars out there, but I've not got the money in place yet. Student life you see Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
