Manual or Power Steering.

[scrimshaw]

I have a basic question regarding the installation of a manual or power steering rack on a car I am building. What are the basic parameters used to establish the installation of a power rack, obviously weight on the front wheels would be one but at what weight would a power rack be necessary. What about tyre size, wheel size, suspension design, etc.

Can it be simplified for someone like me without knowledge and resources available to professional car builders?

Or is it more of a personal decision based on the preferences of the user?

 

[GregLocock]

That's the blow off valve, that governs the maximum assist.
I'm not too sure of the exact hydraulic circuit, I think it basically bypasses the rack once that pressure is reached.

If so it will only affect parking type loads, not driving.

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[evelrod]

Greg, I did a bit of investigating the EPAS/Fiesta steering (not suitable) for race applications. I did not find anything that I felt was easily adaptable for me, but it led me to several SEMA suppliers. Most notably was "Flaming River" since I am using one of their reversed Corvair boxes on my '23 "T" bucket.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/03/sema-flaming-river-electric-power-steering/

While this EPS system looks promising for many street/race applications....A buy in of at least $8500 US? Not for me.

Rod

 

[GregLocock]

Interesting. It says $4000 in that article, which isn't a bad price actually compared with OEM, at least compared with the markup for wheels and springs and things.

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[evelrod]

The added expense was for the rack and pinion conversion. I suppose, if I had the space, the $4000 unit could be made to work but, you've been in a Mini.

In my street rod, this would work. But---The Corvair box and steering column was only $500...and...it works just fine in a <1300 lb. car set at three turns lock to lock and a fairly tight turning radius.

Rod

 

[BrianGar]

Im quiet fond of looping the pipes on a pas rack and using it in a manual set-up, that way getting the quicker ratio but for far less expense. Ive been doing it this way for quiet a while, it works good.
As for parking....a car is meant to be driven !

 

[BrianGar]

I should have said 'quite' not 'quiet', tut tut...