Hi guys looking at purchasing an sw20 with power steering. Owner has said its temperamental, so i wanna ditch the power steering for a manual rack.
I have a manual rack in the garage so anything else needed and will this cause any problems with rego or insurance etc?

I have done this on a 91 hardtop and you will need to grind the hole in the frunk bigger to fit the manual rack.
Although this is going the opposite way, might give you some details:
http://www.mr2.com/forums...ring-to-Power-Steering

If its temperamental - check the power steering relay. Its common to give problems if the contacts are covered in rubbish from constant arcing.
 
The other thing you can check are the bushes in the electrical motor. These can be cheaply replaced if worn. Other than these 2 items most people find it quite reliable.
 
I'd personally keep it on if you can. The manual rack has a longer ratio, which means more steering turns lock to lock.

For my money, the non-power steering is the best. If modern cars weren't so fat, all 'pure' sports cars would still have it… and car reviewers wouldn't have to constantly comment on how dead the steering feels while reminiscing about 'the good old days' when there was nothing between you and the front wheels but your hands.   

mister2
For my money, the non-power steering is the best.   

Totally disagree... once you have had Pwr steering in an sw20, there's no way you would prefer Non over pwr steer.
Even with the basic turning in carparks, out of drive ways etc, they can feel like little tanks at best of times.

Carmikey

mister2
For my money, the non-power steering is the best.   

Totally disagree... once you have had Pwr steering in an sw20, there's no way you would prefer Non over pwr steer.
Even with the basic turning in carparks, out of drive ways etc, they can feel like little tanks at best of times.

Well, each to their own… even if your 'own' and my 'own' are clearly not the same.
 
Either way, it's still a fundamental law of the universe that non-power steering is better in a car as light as an SW20! Apparently, anyone who can't steer one around a carpark or driveway without power-assistance is just a pussy who needs to go to the gym more*  
 
(*See page 57 of 'Cars for Whimps & Pussies', by R.U. Joeking) 
 
EDIT:  (I have also just found a quote from Arnold Schwarzenegger where he says, "Anyone who can't drive an MR2 without power-steering is a girly man.)
 
EDIT: Next two posts are obviously by beefy blokes who aren't afraid to show their MR2 who's boss. 
 
 
 
 
 

im with you Mister2 I have 2 turbo sdub 1 with powersteering and 1 with out I would prefer they both didn't have power steering as it seem a lot for direct & IMO you get a better feeling on the road if that makes sense....same as my 1983 Porsche it to DOESNT HAVE POWERE STEERING....

My first SW20 had PS, and all subsequent ones have been manual racks.  The power steering is OK for what it is, but for pure driving feel, the manual rack has much more feedback and is definitely a more engaging experience.
If you keep your wheel size and suspension geometry to a reasonable level, and are aware of the "roll before steering" thing in carparks, it's just another little sports-car-owning thing that you get used to.
There may never be another unassisted steering system in a mass production car!  (hopefully not, though) 

Photographic evidence of someone who has a reasonable alibi for needing power steering in an MR2:
 

 
 

I love the feel of my car without power steering. If anything i'd like it a bit quicker though, even if it is heavier at low speeds.... I don't do much parking in Ceduna lol.