PS to MS....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 155
Likes: 32
PS to MS....
Hello all,
My C3 has Power Steering with Manual Brakes..... Has anyone heard of this combo? I figured if anything it would be the opposite. Power Brakes but old school Manual Steering (like my old '78 Datsun had). Anyway, I have read threads, and do you all feel it is a good idea to switch to power brakes? OR, do you all feel like power steering is just something more to fail, and I should switch to manual?
THANKS guys!
My C3 has Power Steering with Manual Brakes..... Has anyone heard of this combo? I figured if anything it would be the opposite. Power Brakes but old school Manual Steering (like my old '78 Datsun had). Anyway, I have read threads, and do you all feel it is a good idea to switch to power brakes? OR, do you all feel like power steering is just something more to fail, and I should switch to manual?
THANKS guys!
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
One of my '71's had the same combo. PS but no PB.
I don't know if it was ordered that way or just sold off the dealer's lot like that. Didn't really bother me though, I thought it drove fine.
I don't know if it was ordered that way or just sold off the dealer's lot like that. Didn't really bother me though, I thought it drove fine.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
My 66 was a 7 day daily driver, in the early 90s
No power anything,
I didnt notice any big hassles but i dont care about seat warmers or vanity mirrors either,
If my current 69 power steering leaks its gone off there ill go manual, it has power brakes so ill leave that, but i wouldnt have added it,
No power anything,
I didnt notice any big hassles but i dont care about seat warmers or vanity mirrors either,
If my current 69 power steering leaks its gone off there ill go manual, it has power brakes so ill leave that, but i wouldnt have added it,
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Hello all,
My C3 has Power Steering with Manual Brakes..... Has anyone heard of this combo? I figured if anything it would be the opposite. Power Brakes but old school Manual Steering (like my old '78 Datsun had). Anyway, I have read threads, and do you all feel it is a good idea to switch to power brakes? OR, do you all feel like power steering is just something more to fail, and I should switch to manual?
THANKS guys!
My C3 has Power Steering with Manual Brakes..... Has anyone heard of this combo? I figured if anything it would be the opposite. Power Brakes but old school Manual Steering (like my old '78 Datsun had). Anyway, I have read threads, and do you all feel it is a good idea to switch to power brakes? OR, do you all feel like power steering is just something more to fail, and I should switch to manual?
THANKS guys!
I have these available, if you or anyone else is interested send a PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Hello all,
My C3 has Power Steering with Manual Brakes..... Has anyone heard of this combo? I figured if anything it would be the opposite. Power Brakes but old school Manual Steering (like my old '78 Datsun had). Anyway, I have read threads, and do you all feel it is a good idea to switch to power brakes? OR, do you all feel like power steering is just something more to fail, and I should switch to manual?
THANKS guys!
My C3 has Power Steering with Manual Brakes..... Has anyone heard of this combo? I figured if anything it would be the opposite. Power Brakes but old school Manual Steering (like my old '78 Datsun had). Anyway, I have read threads, and do you all feel it is a good idea to switch to power brakes? OR, do you all feel like power steering is just something more to fail, and I should switch to manual?
THANKS guys!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
I bought a 75 from the auction house. Was a rather nice looking nice running clean car. Driving home I thought what the hell is wrong with these brakes? I get out and open the hood and there's no brake booster. I would never run manual brakes.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 136
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
My 69 had PS and manual brakes. One of the first things I did was install power brakes. Huge improvement.
I really don't get the arguments for manual brakes, or manual steering on street cars. I'm old enough that I've had vehicles with both. They suck.
I really don't get the arguments for manual brakes, or manual steering on street cars. I'm old enough that I've had vehicles with both. They suck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I switched my 77 from power steering to manual steering and it made the car drive like a sports car should. Road feel is perfect, and with the Gary Ramadei built steering box, its tight....every move of the steering wheel results in movement of the car. Unlike the freshly rebuilt stock power steering system that felt little like control, more like constant effort. Sure, its tough in the parking lot, so what?
I have power brakes, but if I could start over, I would go manual brakes. The mushy feeling of the power brake pedal bugs me, but it is very effective at braking so I will keep it. As others have pointed out, the effectiveness of the brakes is the same, only the force required to get it. I would prefer to have the better feel of manual brakes.
I have power brakes, but if I could start over, I would go manual brakes. The mushy feeling of the power brake pedal bugs me, but it is very effective at braking so I will keep it. As others have pointed out, the effectiveness of the brakes is the same, only the force required to get it. I would prefer to have the better feel of manual brakes.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Nov 25, 2017 at 08:51 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
you do need power steering for comfort and for the ladies to drive.. it is just power assist vs today's power steering in regular cars.. in regular cars you can drive with one finger.. it still takes 2 hands on a c3 even with power steering. I have had both power steering and non power steering on my c3's I have owned.. yes, I prefer power steering and think it is great.
mine does not have power brakes. you don't really need it.
mine does not have power brakes. you don't really need it.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 122
Its all about the feel of what you like. My 68 came with power steering and manual brakes. My steering system leaked all over the floor. I rebuilt it twice and short of replacing everything, could not get it to stop leaking. Switched to Rack and pinon, no leaks and a huge improvement. On the brakes, I went with factory power set up at first. I either never got it right in the first place or got defective parts along the way and just it felt too soft for lack of a better term. Switched that over to hydroboost. Really like the way that feels and it made a huge difference to me. But as others have said, well set up manual brakes are great as well.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 490
Likes: 99
From: The South
Manual steering and manual brakes are part of my daily exercise routine. 
Serously, I enjoy the manual steering (especially after GTR1999 has performed his magical touch on the steering box), but power brakes would be a nice addition.
Serously, I enjoy the manual steering (especially after GTR1999 has performed his magical touch on the steering box), but power brakes would be a nice addition.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
I installed PS on my 68. It has been one of the better mods that I've made. Much more pleasant to drive. Brakes are manual but I can live with that.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,217
Likes: 9,354
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I had power steering and manual brakes. Converted to power brakes due to the idiots that jump out in front of me around here, on foot and in cars. It was a simple conversion and was the single biggest improvement I did to my car for little effort