Power steering question:

[Swedish Mike]

Got a strange question, I wish we have some electrition guru here.

I just bought an electrical PS pump, regular 12V and a pressure outlet.I want to make the efficiency adjustable, want to get rid of the jelly steering wheel at races and stuff.Soooo, how would you do this?

1. Adjust the voltage down to make the motor spin slower?

2. Put a valve on the outlet and strangle the flow?

The car is a S13 project with Volvo I6.

[Chris859]

I would assume it can be done either way...

On cars that come stock with variable assist power steering(like my cougar for example), They have a solenoid valve on the pressure side of the pump that simply modulates the flow by opening/closing as vehicle speed increases. I have never dis-assembled the solenoid, but my theory would be that they are re-routing the fluid flow through a smaller passage with the solenoid closed, and allowing full flow with it open. Less fluid pressure/flow = less power assist.

As for running an electric power steering pump, I have heard of people using the subaru/mr2 electric pumps in combination with a variable speed control to control the amount of assist. I would imagine something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/Variable-S...wItem would do the trick.

[Swedish Mike]

I would assume it can be done either way...

On cars that come stock with variable assist power steering(like my cougar for example), They have a solenoid valve on the pressure side of the pump that simply modulates the flow by opening/closing as vehicle speed increases. I have never dis-assembled the solenoid, but my theory would be that they are re-routing the fluid flow through a smaller passage with the solenoid closed, and allowing full flow with it open. Less fluid pressure/flow = less power assist.

As for running an electric power steering pump, I have heard of people using the subaru/mr2 electric pumps in combination with a variable speed control to control the amount of assist. I would imagine something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/Variable-S...wItem would do the trick.

Thanks Chris, great answer!

I planned to do the same thing, restrict the pressure with a valve.The only difference will be that I will adjust it by hand inside the car, I found a valve yesterday, had a wire hooked up to a knob. The knob/valve can be adjusted in 4 settings from fully opened to closed.

[Chris859]

I have been thinking of going the electric power steering route, Which pump are you running?

[Swedish Mike]

I have been thinking of going the electric power steering route, Which pump are you running?

Don´t laugh, Volvo 440 Diesel...

Couldn´t remember any car brands using it and i had to ask a rally car builder, he recommended it. $300 new.

Very clean design, only +/- and two pipes, one from the oil reservoir and one pressure.

[Chris859]

Nice, ill have to look into that. I know the early 90's toyota mr2's had electric powersteering, as well as the late 80's-early 90's subaru DL's. But the volvo 440 diesel sounds like a simpler setup.

[Swedish Mike]

Nice, ill have to look into that. I know the early 90's toyota mr2's had electric powersteering, as well as the late 80's-early 90's subaru DL's. But the volvo 440 diesel sounds like a simpler setup.

Had no idea about the MR2 but it´s very logical, engine in the a$$ and steering in front. Totally missed that part.

I´ll bump this thread with a picture and part number later.

[WDRacing]

Yes do bump this up. I'm looking into a similar setup with a trunk mounted pump, resovoir. Since I'll have a ton of weight up front, with just the motor anything I can relocate to the back will be a great idea.

Plus the less thing in the engine bay the better IMO, it'll make turbo plumbing alot easier.

[Swedish Mike]

Yes do bump this up. I'm looking into a similar setup with a trunk mounted pump, resovoir. Since I'll have a ton of weight up front, with just the motor anything I can relocate to the back will be a great idea.

Plus the less thing in the engine bay the better IMO, it'll make turbo plumbing alot easier.

This is the proof, Nico guys got more brain. I´m doing the same thing but for two reasons. Weight and custom crank pulley, only got room for alternator belt.Not to fotget, the engine bay will be crazy clean without PS and AC stuff.

[WDRacing]

I'm undecided on the AC thing for now...I'm a puss I guess. Then again this won't be my daily driver.