how much hp is freed up by not running AC/PS belt?

[tribaltalon]

my AC/PS belt snapped the other day, and ever since, the car seems like its a little faster and revs a little quicker. i know that putting lightweight pulleys on can add about 10 hp, but what about if you arent even using the pulleys? :D i'm getting another belt next week anyway, it sucks not having power steering. :(

[DSM MOOSE]

not having a belt will make your car much quicker. how hard is it to turn without PS? They say cars without AC can have about 5hp extra.

[tribaltalon]

its pretty hard, not impossible but it definitely requires some effort. the car definitely is faster, though, because my buddy has a Audi 1.8T and before he would totally smoke me, and now i can stick to his back bumper. :eek: hmmm now i am faced with a dilemma... sweat and have to steer with no power and have a fast car, or live in luxury and have a slow car. i'm leaning towards the fast car angle at the moment. :D

[tribaltalon]

btw, i'm a 2g 420A NT

[exTSi]

Thats not real surprising that your car is running that much faster... I haven't been using my belt for awhile 'cuz my PS is leaking, so there's no sense in trying to make it work. Because of it my car is alot more powerful, and hard to turn, but at least you get a good workout driving :P
But... on the flipside, since your PS actually works, and you're not using your pump, it's going to be hard on your PS system. There isn't any fluid (lube) pumping thru the system, even though you're still using it... there are drawbacks, but if you feel the extra power's worth it, then give it hell!

[91RSlaser]

so couldnt you just take off the belt if you went to the track? is it that hard to take off? I wonder if people do this already...

[ChrisAWD]

the best way to do this is to get a manual steering rack from a 1.8 and use that. steering won't be as horrible as using a power steering system without the belt and you'll still get the free power to the wheels

[1Fast96RS]

yeah our belts slip off alot, and teh lack of PS is a little harse to turn tightly but i shoudl give hell on some performance, and hinder on the life of your PS rack

[Spyder1gdsm]

Turning with the manual rack is very easy actually. I don't notice the lack of PS until i'm in a parking lot doing less than 5mph.

[1Fast96RS]

witha manual rack it's alot easier then with a power with lack of a belt, but yeah its more responsive as well witha manual rack.