So I'm sort of idle and flipping around, reading things on various forums about people debating power steering vs manual steering and I think back to how certain race cars do their setup. It kicks in at very low speed to be less of a pain, then off when at a greater speed. Why doesn't some company offer the same? My gut says that somewhere, someone else thought of it, but I don't have a clue. Does anyone else?
Lots of oem systems try, particularly Japanese manufacturers. I don't like it very much, since you can usually feel the difference in boost.
Delete the P/S altogether, and improve your upper body strength. The only time you have to work your wheelhouse is in parking lots. 
NYG95GA wrote: Delete the P/S altogether, and improve your upper body strength. The only time you have to work your wheelhouse is in parking lots.
Hah, certainly the cheaper option. Regardless, the power steering on my E30 is definitely getting removed. It's not a daily driver, it's a straight-up race car, so parking and etc.. aren't high on my list of concerns. Won't bother me for the time that it's still street legal and needs to be driven around on the street.
It would take a heck of a lot of convincing to sell me on such a system, because of weight, complexity and cost; not to mention that manual steering isn't that bad if you're not driving the Queen Mary to the supermarket. But it did get me thinking if they sell them.
Variable power steering has been around a long time. More assist at slow speeds, less at higher speeds. Wiki talks about it: Wikipedia
pigeon wrote: Variable power steering has been around a long time. More assist at slow speeds, less at higher speeds. Wiki talks about it: Wikipedia
Yeah, but I mean systems that cut out entirely once you get out of parking lot speed, and ones that retrofit into cars.
From Pigeon's Wikipedia article:
"In the late 1960s, General Motors offered a variable ratio power steering system as an option on Pontiac and other vehicles."
My Dad's 69 Toronado had that system, and I recall it as being much nicer to use than the fixed ratio on his 66 Toro. (The 69 was a bit less special as a car, though.)
If you are looking for parking lot speeds only, I envision a clutch pully like on the ac compressor and a knock bar on the shifter so it is activated in 1st and reverse only.
The problem is, unassisted P/S with fluid in the system is a LOT heavier than a manual rack with the same ratio, because you have to force all of that fluid around.
Wait for someone to build a magic black box to control a GM electric power steering column, then use it in conjunction with a depowered power rack. Or just drive a car with less than 1400lb nose weight.
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