Power Steering is less power.
 

So I was reading on Civic set ups and I just saw that Import Tuner guys removed the power steering from a civic and saw a dyno increase of 4 hp. Huh. Its just good for straightaways but if there was a quick and easy was to go with and with out that'd be different.

Yup, thats because the power steering pump drains some power.
There a new system they use in the new Civic SI (SIR in Canada that uses an electric motor assist instead. No power loss but I think that it will be more of an artificial steering feel.

How would that work on a P5 with variable power assist?

oops... I meant with the variable, are we regaining hp. due to itturning itself down. (so to speak) Wouldn't disconnect my ps. like the feel too much.

Don

Actually, we probably do gain a very small amount of HP at higher engine RPM due to the pump providing less assist, but not enough to matter much. Their isn't much point in disconnecting the power steering on a primarily street driven car. You aren't gaining a significant amount of HP, or saving a large amount of weight, by removing the power steering components.

RPM, we got the cheaper version. :)

I'll bet, but does the 1st gen have variable assist? I though that was new to the 3rd gens.