427V8

Finally having added power steering to my rack and pinion conversion is a huge improvement. But the steering is way too light too much like driving a video game.
I mean the steering is much lighter than my minivan!

Is it just me or do others feel this way?
Do you get used to it?

It is better than stock or non-power Rack and Pinion however!

One other question, I am using the stock style pump. Is anyone using the newer GM pump? is it better?

Jim Shea? Do you know if the flow / pressure rates of the two?

turtlevette

Would you feel comfortable going around a road course like that?

ShaneLU97

Speeddirect sells a "de-tuned" p/s pump. Right now I am using the stok pump with my steeroids kit and I agree a bit with you. The responsivenes and driveability is trememdously improved but I would like a little more feel back with it so I may pick that up as well.
Shane

bobs77vet

i thought Mr Shea said the power steering pump rate didn't impact the "lightness" that it was some internal valving that did that?

turtlevette

i've mentioned this before but, why not install a rack bypass with an electric solenoid operated valve. Flip a switch and turn your assist on and off.

Assuming the rack has a good feel and feedback with no assist.

84rzv500r

I have the new style GM pump and a steeroids...

Simple fix... 13 inch steering wheel vs a 14. kinda like changing gears.... it worked out perfect.

I havent had it on a road course yet but we own both sides of about a mile or so of twisty roads up on the farm and it feels real good.

The added bonus is that I have some room for my fat body...

aharte

I made almost exactly the same comment here a year or two ago. I actually prefer the stock system.

It might not be that bad if the Vette was my only car, but it's not. After getting out of my Benz (which isn't even in great condition), I feel like I have no control. It's a little scary. I can drive normally with confidence after a few hours, but never really feel like pushing it in corners anymore. I drove it much harder with the stock steering (on winding roads, not highway).

turtlevette

have you tried disconnecting the pump?

thanks for being honest about it, otherwise i'd have one too and be pissed off.

aharte

No. I'd like to, but I don't have the skills to do it myself. I wouldn't mind paying someone to do it, but I've had too many bad experiences trying to get people to do custom work.

Has anyone here tried it both ways?

427V8

Turtle,
It's too light to be doin any autocross, thats fer sure. It's loads better but I am such a perfectionist, It has to be right or I'm not happy.

84????
a 13" wheel is definitly a good idea...


Aharte
I've tried it both ways, I think it's better with power...
Here's more detail on the subject;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...vie&forum_id=3

BTW,
I'm actually working on a solution. It's speed sensitive variable effort. It's adjustable from the drivers seat and can hook up to mechanical speedo cables or electronic ones.
I've done the proof of concept and it's pretty good.
It needs a little more adjustability and I think the steeroids lower pump pressure idea is probably a good fit. I mean even parking it's too easy as far as I'm concerned.

davidm_comp

I thought the same thing after I installed my Steeroids, this is much easier and more responsive steering than my minivan. By the way, I had a force feedback steering wheel for my ps2, and it was more like the old rag joint & ball setup in the vette than the r&p setup...Takes some getting used to, but better in the long run I personally think.

David

Eddie 70

I like the way the car feels with the steeroids installed and on power. At least mine feels pretty darn good to me. I have put about 600 miles on it so far. Just came home from driving to Bowling Green and the NCM. About 400 miles round trip and most of it on the Interstate running 80-85 MPH. The car drives like a new one. Just turn the wheel a little and change lanes. It took a little getting used to but now I like the feel of it.

ddecart

That's correct. For a given flow rate and pressure from the pump, the steering feel is determined by the t-bar (torsion bar) and valve that's in the gear. The t-bar/valve combo determines the amount of pressure that the rack sees when you steer.

Are all of the racks you guys are comparing from the same source? Different racks, different valves = different feel.

The pump can have an effect. Assuming a sufficient flow rate, the relief pressure of the pump can have an effect on the steering feel. With a lower pressure, you get less assist for a given valve angle.

Also, which holes on the knuckle are you using? The holes closer to the hub will make the steering faster, but also slightly heavier.

Jim Shea

It is true that cutting back the flow out of your power steering pump will make your steering feel heavier. The reason it will feel heavier is that the low fluid flow through the power steering control valve will make the valve less responsive. This lack of response will translate to a heavier feel - NOT a crisper, heavier effort feel - just heavier.

Now here is the drawback. Usually, by the time that you have cut the flow so far back that the steering feels heavier, you will be at a point where "pump catch" will rear its ugly head. For instance, if you have to make a quick evasive turn (i.e. a kid runs out into the street in front of you) you will find that when you rapidly whip the steering wheel you will suddenly feel a total lack of power assist. This is because you are trying to move the assist cylinder faster than the pump is supplying oil. In other words, you feel "pump catch." Most people would describe that their steering "locked up." It didn't "lock up" but the abrupt lack of assist will sometimes cause people to freeze and stop steering. NOT A GOOD CONDITION!

Jim

Jim Shea

As ddecart mentioned, there are many, many, Saginaw CTO R&P gears. I just don't know if the company that remanufactures the gears and then sells them to other companies takes into account all of the different valves, t-bar sizes, available stroke, pinion to rack ratio, etc.

The stroke of the rack and the number of input shaft turns are easy to measure. The actual valve effort requires that you place the gear on a test stand; lock the gear so it won't stroke; hook up a hydraulic power supply; and measure the oil pressure versus the torque on the input shaft at a particular point.

Jim

Jay M

A smaller steering wheel was the perfect solution for me as well. I chose a nice fat Momo steering wheel.

I drove it on Willow Springs for a driving school and It felt great.

The "Pump catch up" that Jim described is sometimes an issue when steeroids is combined with the Hydroboost. Paul at Hydrtech suggested modifying the stock pump. That helped, but I thing the ideal solution might be a better pump.

~Jay

mrvette

Well, as some of you know, my '92 G Am rack of junkyard origins and same rack as steeroids, with a late shark steering wheel is fine by me....quick maneuvers and all....
I have a C4 serp setup/pump though....
and '92 vette wheels/tires....
wonder if you all with the comments about light steering have stock rims and nearly stock tires???

get some rubber on that road, IF that's the case....

GENE

aharte

I don't.

ThereIsNoSpoon

Seems all right for me, perhaps I did a crappy job when I rebuilt my power steering pump and inadvertently de-tuned it.

ThereIsNoSpoon

Very good point, I do have some chunky rubber