OldCarBum,

Due to the lack of room under the dash and not much more in front of the firewall, why not go the Borgeson route? If you CAN manage to fit an electric assist unit in there, you will still have the old manual box with its 16:1 ratio, not really appropriate for a sports car. If you fit a Borgeson box, you will get 12.7:1 ratio and there will be no cutting or welding to make it fit.

If you really want to do away with the engine driven pump, pulleys and fan belt, then an electric power steering pump would be the way to go. The BMW made Minis sold in Australia have electric PS pumps, I'm sure there is a much bigger selection in your country. The cars I've seen here usually mount the (electric) pumps close to the battery, as a heavy gauge lead between them is required, so you might be able to mount an electric pump in the jack cavity behind the passenger seat or somewhere nearby.

Just a thought.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

 

Yep- there are several cars w/ electric pumps.
M-B used in the A-class- all contained is one piece- control board, reservoir and pump.

Toyota MR2 and the Subaru have them as well

M-B


MR2



Subaru



And here's an aftermarket one-

 

Man Google this electric steering conversion and there is plenty out there. I find Jeg's as a C3 specific unit by EPAS for $1400. This is looking good!

 

I looked at that-

http://www.jegs.com/i/EPAS-Performan.../2007/10002/-1


That -to me- looks like just a universal kit. In the copy it says -

"The computer control, wiring and electric assist motor assembly can all be installed under the dash to be almost, if not completely invisible."

That ain't happening!!!

I am basically doing the same system-with a newer torque sensor.

Here's what I have run into-

1) If you want to have the collapsible steering shaft- taking the column apart and cutting is required.
1b) If you don't want to retain the collapsible steering column- Taking apart the column and cutting is required!!!
1c) Tilt-Tele- that's going to take even more work...

2) You have just about 9" between the firewall and stock steering box- if you are running a manual trans - you will need to convert to a hydraulic as there is no room for the Z-bar....

3)You will loose the reverse lock-

Here's my cutting-

Stock shaft- blue tape indicates firewall





Stock shaft cut- and inner stack shaft was cut to retain collapsible. Nissan steering wheel adapter



Nissan adapter turned down to fit cut-down OEM shaft

This will get welded



Fits into motor's torque sensor tube



Looking into the column-



Nissan bracket- fits almost perfect in the OEM column. A little more work (probably notch the OEM column) and it will be welded to the firewall bracket.



Here's what it looks like- motor slides into column- just have to design a mount to the frame for the motor.

 

You do unbelievable work Richard! I need to meet up with you one of these days! Where in Atlanta are you? I am on the west side of Athens right off 316.

Bill

 

[QUOTE=Richard454;1593554272]I looked at that-

http://www.jegs.com/i/EPAS-Performan.../2007/10002/-1


That -to me- looks like just a universal kit. In the copy it says -

"The computer control, wiring and electric assist motor assembly can all be installed under the dash to be almost, if not completely invisible."

That ain't happening!!!

I am basically doing the same system-with a newer torque sensor.

Here's what I have run into-

1) If you want to have the collapsible steering shaft- taking the column apart and cutting is required.
1b) If you don't want to retain the collapsible steering column- Taking apart the column and cutting is required!!!
1c) Tilt-Tele- that's going to take even more work...
[ /QUOTE]



Well their website has a good video of a C1 install. They claim 8 hrs. Just too many set screws that hold it all together for my liking.

 

Just curious, what is the benefit, other than the "WOW" factor? And there is definitely a lot of "WOW" going on, what with the V12, etc...

 

Hey Bill-

THANK YOU Sir!!!

I live in Brookhaven - We do need to meet up.

Set screws and steering really shouldn't go together.
Don't know if you've messed w/ a C1 or C2- but there is a world of difference as far as room under the dash!!!


My 71 that this is going on- didn't have power steering when it left the factory. It was a big block and was a chore to park. I remember back in the day my girlfriend in High School trying to park it!!!

My 73 - a small block- does have power steering- a BIG difference.



I am going with a smaller steering wheel- so the electric assist makes sense from a driving point of view- no lines - belts - fluid - will really neaten up the install.
Since starting the resto modding- power steering has always been one of the mods planned.

Not to mention right now I am into it for well less than a C note.

Richard