issues with the larger tires:

1. you can't lower it as much. with a 40 offset, 225 tires come out to the fender in the back, with FCM shock mounts, .66" shock spacers, and new generation FM springs, it still rubs on heavy jars.

2. with a depowered rack (FM style, with no internal seal) its real hard to turn when stopped. I could still kinda use one hand to turn it with the stock wheels and tires, but not really at all now. once you're rolling its real easy again though.

I took out my AC & PS over a week ago and have to say it feels WAY better than it did before.
I went the FM route with the rack instead of just looping the lines.
I only ever used the AC perhaps twice in the 3 or 4 years I had the car so it was no loss.

The car is way more stable at higher speeds, defo more feedback from the wheels and you know exactly where the car is at all times.

Would I put back in the PS ?
No F'n way !
If I bought another Miata would I take out the PS again ?
I'd do it before I'd give it it's first wash & wax - D E F O !!

I'm going to do the FM way next time I actually have time...

It doesn't take that long to complete the FM mod, you could have it done in a couple of hours.
Just make sure you have big ass spanners that will fit the huge nuts on the rack handy !
Mark the tie rods before taking them off.
It's a really simple job once you get into it.

I might do it the same time I do my tie rods...as they need to be done...

Thats good to know...did you notice any difference?

I think everyone who takes out the PS notices the difference - the car IS better !

I've never had a problem with the power steering, I like it. I've got a smallish steering wheel (320mm) that makes the steering feel quite a bit heavier. Which is a good thing.

I have no ABS/PS/AC and I love it.. aside from the added weight the steering feels like its on rails. Braineack and I drove each others cars to compare and the handling is definitely solid.

Definitely, but did you notice a difference between FM way and just looping the lines..

Anybody?

Yes you fell feel the difference in "power" with the ps and ac removed because there 2 less hunks of metal that need to be spun up and down every time you accelerate or decelerate. Kinda the same effect a lightened flywheel has. Less rotating mass. It doesn't equal more power on the dyno but I bet if you overlaid the 2 runs on top of each other the car without the ps and ac would rise in hp sooner then the car with ps and ac but the peak hp output of the engine is indeed unchanged.

that def makes sense.