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View Full Version : Anyone done electric hydroboost/powersteer or something along those lines.



Simmo
11-03-2011, 10:10 PM
I know its been pondered before but has anyone actually fitted a Toyota MR2 or similar electric power steering pump to their muscle car?

Why????...fair call. I'm thinking along the lines of the potential to mount the pump rearward for weight distribution (with solid lines) and freeing up space for a turbo manifold. (with that ruining any distribution gain lol). Other stuff like switchability/adjustability and steering w/o engine power is a bonus. May potentially be lighter too.

I also have a vacuum issue, and trying to kill two birds with one stone, I looked into the late model MR2 one, and apparently it is load sensitive. Would this be an option to couple into a hydroboost/power steer system...maybe in parallel or with check valves brake wise? Apparently they draw up to 80A max, but the late model LS alternators are 130-140ish so should be able to handle.

I dont know the internal workings of the hydroboost so hopefully someone can clear it up, but as I understand it requires pressure under braking conditions and when not required fluid simply returns to the pump. As it already kind of has an accumulator it would just be topping this up Y/N?

Redundancy is covered with manual steering action + the hydroboost half dozen or so brake applications in case of a brake issue.

Different yes, but thats what makes this hobby interesting...

TheJDMan
11-07-2011, 01:49 PM
I like this concept and I would also like to hear opinions.

Simmo
11-09-2011, 03:50 PM
Well my Astro Van Hydroboost has just shown up, along with a 1 1/8 MC. I hear these can be a tad touchy, would this be alleviated with a less aggressive pedal ratio?

I'm none the wiser as to the internal workings of the hydroboost - dont have the socket to pull it apart + im not sure if it was bled when removed so I'm taking the safe approach for once. Hopefully someone will chime in and help out...

The booster is my only concern really as the PS has been done before sucessfully and not quite so critical lol...

Opinions?? Experiences??

Apogee
11-10-2011, 11:47 AM
There are several things you can do to desensitize a hydroboost system, however the easiest tends to be increasing the MC bore size and/or reducing the pad coefficient of friction. An issue associated with reducing the pad CoF is that the lower CoF pads tend to have lower operating temperature ranges and are not the best suited to severe-duty use, open track days, etc. You can play with pedal ratios as well, but rod angularity issues can arrise unless you address those at the same time.

Tobin
KORE3