EPS Conversion?

[Sailor96]

Searching the interwebs info on converting to electric power steering (EPS), most the data is pretty generalized.

I'm looking into it after seeing a small vendor making an uprated alternator kit that mounts at the back of the engine allowing for more room for go fast bits (top mount turbo with larger dump pipe and intercooler piping)

Just curious if any of you folks have had a crack at it

 

[astarozna]

Two options, steering motor(opel/vauxhall, renault..) or external pump(merc, volvo..). Option 1 requires non pump rack. Option 2 is more fiddly, need space for the pump combo, lines, electrics..etc

 

[Sailor96]

Thanks for the info I got to wondering If the rack was equalized with a small line running from the hp/lp side be viable instead of a non pump rack. Also in each case there is an external controller needed.
There are kits out there too but I imagine that stripping it from an open or Renault is a much more cost effective method assuming they have an independent controller.

So my thought is, by shortening the lower end of the steering column to fit the motor while still using the factory joints to the rack through the firewall and retain factory wheel position

 

[astarozna]

I don't think there is much room at lower end. Have a look at corsa b column maybe that will be more suitable and have a look at driftworks youtube they just installed 3rd gen motor on blue bmw. Maybe you get some ideas. You being on state side might not be laying around in every brakers yard but in europe they are pretty cheap.

 

[MarkTurbo]

So are you planning on changing it purely to relocate the alternator to where the power steering pump is?

If it was me I'd keep the hydraulic set up and fit an electric pump out of a Vauxhall Zafira A/Astra G, will save you having to chop the column around, loop the rack pipes or find a manual rack (if they even exist?) and the extra wiring. Also electric power steering is ok for town driving but a bit vague for proper driving, a lot of the race teams I've worked with that tried it went back to hydraulic as it gives far better steering feel.

You could probably mount the pump in the top RH corner of the engine bay, then from memory its 3 or 4 wires (+ and - and ignition signal wires) 60 amp inline fuse somewhere, new high pressure feed line and then you'd just need to extend the PAS cooler line that goes to the reservoir back to the pump but its only a low pressure line so can just use push on fittings with jubilee clips.

My mate did this on his BMW drift car and I did all the hydraulic lines for him so if you need to know anything just ask.

 

[rfkdemon]

I thought about doing this when my hydraulic rack needed replacing. However, there is no quick rack available for the non-PAS rack off the base spec Sunny and the standard ratio is no good for motorsport (getting opposite lock on quickly) so I gave up with the idea and fitted a new Hydraulic rack.
Electric pump might be the way forward but keep in mind the current draw will be significant so the alternator will need to be up to the job......IIRC the electric pump on my old polo pulled 80 amps and the lights would dim on lock.

Mat