Looking at different options. On the Corvettes we run manual steering boxes and EPS units at the end of the column to provide power assist. Same with 1st gen fbody.

I was looking into doing that with the third gen, however I'd have to get rid of the nice 2.25 turn ws6 box and switch to a S10 manual box that is like 7 turns lock to lock, which with the power unit would likely be effortless yet slow.

On youtube, this guy ran a popular Volvo S40 electric power steering pump with the factory box with good results. Additionally, one can purchase an adjustable controller for about $54, of if you have a CANBUS equipped management system you could program the assist to increase at low speed and decrease at high speed.


Curious if anyone else on here is running an electric pump?

-- Joe

 

Vice Grip Garage has a video of the install of that same pump on his NASCAR burnout truck

 

Yup and as Derek learned, you need that controller for it to work properly

 

Yeah, ideally you'll control it from a PCM that can vary the pressure with vehicle speed. Likely want more pressure at low speed for parking lot use and lower pressure for higher speed driving.

-- Joe

 

It was more about going left and right quickly, so if you Autocross or do anything that requires quick steering, you will notice the wheel fighting back at you when you try to quickly turn back and forth. Can't remember which video, it was just a month or two ago.

 

Hrmm.. That's interesting. Does the OEM controller work in conjunction with a steering angle sensor to determine when pressure should be increased. ? I'd expect the duty cycle to remain constant.

I wonder if the duty cycle is a set pump rate and you need to increase the rate to combat pressure drop when the box is used, but why not just command a higher rate initially?

Got a link to the video?

-- Joe

 

Can't remember the exact video, but it's this series: https://www.google.com/search?q=vice...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Great show, worth a watch.

 

Here is the vid where he installs the volvo electric pump


and here is when he adds the controller and explains things

 

He doesn’t really go into detail on how the pump works, he’s using it so he doesn’t have to run a belt on the burnout truck as he said he always had issues with throwing belts.

 

So basically he had a dead spot off center where the pump didn't react quick enough. It looks like increasing made it better but didn't solve it.. My concern would be that increasing would also decrease steering effort too much into the turn, which isn't what I want.

Hmm.

 

This is still hydraulic, right? Just electric pump instead of belt driven pump, right?
Has anyone tried/done an all EPS. Usually those (motors) are mounted under the dash on the column.
is there an advantage/disadvantage one over the other?

 

Done them on other cars. Not a third gen . The under dash units require the column to be shortened significantly. The units that mount in the engine bay might work with manifolds but likely there wouldn't be enough room for headers.

The nest problem is what do you do with your factory box? It's meant to have fluid going through it. If you switch to an S10 manual box, you'll end up with like seven turns locked to lock instead of 2.25 like a WS6 box.

 

With regard to the fluid issue. Could you just leave the PS cooler line that runs under the radiator and reroute it back to the steering box. The fluid would just circulate with the box and line.

 

Honestly, I don't know.

Manual boxes are completely different insides. I'm not sure if the pressurized fluid contributes to the lubrication or not.

 

Looks like Cleetus found a company that has the controller to fix the dead spot, its in this episode:
Reform Motorsports EHPS Micro Volvo 04-13

 

Interesting, that website appears to also make a controller for the Nissan Sentra pump. I wonder if that's a better or worse option than the Volvo pump.

-- Joe