DblTrbl

If you are considering adding a Borgeson power steering setup and don't have room to add a power steering pump or don't want to mess with your accessory belts, you can use an electric power steering pump to supply fluid to the Borgeson.

I use a power steering pump from a Volvo. The Volvo pump has it's own fluid reservoir and all it needs to run is 12V battery power, a good ground and a low power 12 volt connection to an ignition or accessory wire to turn it on. Like normal power steering pumps it has a supply and return line, but unlike normal pumps it can placed anywhere.



I mounted the pump in the location where the vapor canister used to be. It's hidden away and can barely be seen from the engine bay. In the volvo, it has a two part mount with rubber isolaters. I threw away the upper part of the mount and tied the lower part of the mount to the frame.

The high pressure outlet is 16mm x 1.5, same as the return of the Borgeson., but the Volvo one is deeper.

The return line is plastic barb that fit a 3/8" hose.

The ignition signal wire that turns the unit on only draws 2.2 milliamps, so any 12V signal can drive it.

I tested the pump with a power supply instead of the battery and it only drew about 20 amps while turning the wheel in default mode. Just under 10 amps when not turning.



I got mine fro a 2006 Volvo S40 for $30 at a pick and pull. They are in 2004 - 2012 cars. I've been told that the same pump is used in C70 and many other models as well.




The Red wire goes to a fuse and directly to the battery. I use one of those separate MAXI fuse holders and a 80 amp fuse. The Black wire to a good chassis ground. The two twisted wires are not connected, they were for canbus but are not needed as this pump works fine in default mode. The small green wire goes to ignition or accessory or you can just connect it to a switch and turn the pump on manually. When the pump is turned on, there is about a 2 second delay before it starts up. The pump motor is a 3 phase brushless motor and the pump draws less current when no steering input is needed and more when turning.

I've been running this combo for over 800 miles already. It's working flawlessly.

For me the steering feel with this combo is perfect and it doesn't feel overpowered on the highway and I can easily turn the steering wheel when it's parked.

Jeff k

oldboat

excellent, thank you for sharing that.

ratflinger

Thanks, you think it would handle a hydroboost also?

Richard454

From a Volvo??? A Volvo??? You know you're a redneck if you think "volvo" is part of the female anatomy!!!

Why would you put something on your Vette from one of them foreign cars!!!

Great job!!! Glad to hear you are out driving it!!!

Richard

bradleyb66

Yes, WHO would do something like that! Blasphemy!

bluegtp

I like it..... thanks for the info and hopefully future project.

DblTrbl

All, YW.

Wow, never thought of that. I don't know enough about hydroboost requirements, but If a power steering pump can run hydroboost, I can't see why this can't run both. Only way to tell is to try it.


My vette is definitely tainted. Parts from:
Ford F150
Silverado 2500 HD
Volvo S40
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Range Rover
Plymouth Neon
Shelby Charger

Jeff k

Maybe you should name her "Diversity"

fishslayer143

or FRANKENSTEIN

7T1vette

Can't be a Frankenstein if it works well...

Richard454

ummm- diversity? Her? I'm thinking his car is non-binary!!!

I can't see why the hydraboost wouldn't work-

Then there is always this-

Powermaster brake booster - GM first came out with them in the mid-1980s. There's an electric pump below the M/C that uses brake fluid. So it's a stand alone hydroboost instead of using the PS pump. They were used a lot on Buick GNs , full size wagons and diesel cars.

fishslayer143

didn't say it didn't work..just MADE FROM MULTIPLE PARTS SOURCE .... QUOTE vette is definitely tainted. Parts from:
Ford F150
Silverado 2500 HD
Volvo S40
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Range Rover
Plymouth Neon
Shelby Charger

just like Frankenstein ..he worked too ... ITS ALIVE!!!!!

DblTrbl

If I had to put a name on my car it would have to be "Scope Creep".

BTW, this thread seems to also be suffering from Scope Creep.

CraigH

This is very interesting. I did a check here in Australia and the Volvo pumps are available second hand but another alternative is the one from a Opel Astra (TRW Brand) that is available here with an -6an adapter for a couple of hundred dollars.

will be interested to see what real load it puts on electrical system in real use. 80 amp fuse is fairly high so may use a lot when real forces are on the steering.

may have to upgrade the Alternator again 😀

DblTrbl

I tested the pump with a power supply instead of the battery and it only drew about 20 amps while turning the wheel while parked. Just under 10 amps when not turning.

CraigH

Yes I saw your testing and wondered why an 80amp fuse. Heaps of headspace.

turning wheels while parked you would assume would be a high load situation so high power drain.

the TRW unit is 80 amp as well.

DblTrbl

Pushing the wheel with the wheels locked must be much higher (I didn't test that), but for a short period of time. That's got to be the reason for the extra fuse headroom.

Richard454

And the wire looks to be 4GU- so 80A would be correct to protect the wire.

worship79

Now he tells me! In The Netherlands one trips over Volvos every 3 feet and I just went at lengths to get a Chevy Van hydroboost working, haha!