Manual vs Electric assist steering

[MichaelLeeHearn]

I am in the process of getting ready to build a GT40 MKII replica.



With the car being mid-engine, I do not have the option to run normal power steering. The car typically is built with manual steering, I have been looking at a few Electric assist units.

Due to the light weight of the car is it worth the time and funds to adapt an adjustable electric assist unit.

I am planning on both track and street use for the car.

[Motorcitydak]

When I was talking to a tech at Woodward steering, I mentioned electric power steering. He said he would refuse to sell me a steering rack if I was going to run electric power steering. He was saying how it is like using a huge steering wheel (lever) to twist the sheering shaft. Says it will wear out all the bushings and u joints super fast and cause slop then eventually failure. I do not necessarily agree but I do trust his/their knowledge.

I can also say that my Lotus has manual steering. Now while that car is only 2000lb with something like a 40/60 split and 195 front tires, I have never wanted something more powerful for steering. It is only even noticeable when you are literally not moving. The second I start moving, it is all fine. I am also running manual steering in my AWD '68 Charger project. Keep your scrub radius perfect and in theory you will have effortless steering. That gets changed by caster angle but keep that to 5 degree's or so and again, should have no issues.

A gt40 has a lot a weight on the back, not much up front. You should be fine. Just remember that with a car like that high speed steering is more important than low speed. If in a parking lot, you may have to start moving slowly before you can begin steering. I am perfectly fine with that

[dontlifttoshift]

What about the mid engine makes it impossible to have power steering?

[wiedemab]

What about the mid engine makes it impossible to have power steering?

Seems like some longer power steering lines would solve the problem, but maybe I'm missing something?????

[Olav]

Opel Corsa have a neat unit. If you google you will find a lot photos and info.

[MichaelLeeHearn]

Not impossible but difficult. With a GT40, the center spline in the car already has 2 - 1 1/2" stainless pipes, a/c lines, wiring and shifter cables and insulation. So there is not a lot of room to run things. Most cars are manual steering a few people have run quickeners, but I was looking at a DC Electric EPAS motorsports unit and trying to figure out if it would be worth trying to install it.

I am upgrading the rack and collapsable steering column to units from Woodward as I have used there products for years, back when my family was active in Circle track racing and never had any issues.

For now I think I will build the car without it and upgrade later if I feel I need it.

I will see if I can find some pic's to show just how tight things are.

[slow-poke]

I recently installed electric power steering in a 1966 Mustang. I did not use a kit, I simply pulled a column style EPS from a newer GM vehicle and then spliced the unit into the original steering column.

The results far exceeded my expectations and the cost was less than $200. I designed a controller that automatically adjusts assist level based on vehicle speed, so that the steering feel is "just right" regardless of speed.

I documented (with pictures) how I went about this on a Vintage Mustang forum. If anyone is interested do a google search for "Best $200 mod ever (EPS)"

or

follow this link to page 7 where the details start: [url=http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/787114-best-200-mod-ever-eps-7.html#post6037649[/url]..

Any questions just ask.

[Bird of Prey]

I didn't want to join that sit and the column is the easy part . I need to see how to hook up the control box on the cheap . Is there a $50.00 black box ? $1,000.00 controller is not cheap for anything at all .

[pro67coupe]

I like the idea. its on my to do list for my car

[andrewb70]

I recently installed electric power steering in a 1966 Mustang. I did not use a kit, I simply pulled a column style EPS from a newer GM vehicle and then spliced the unit into the original steering column.

The results far exceeded my expectations and the cost was less than $200. I designed a controller that automatically adjusts assist level based on vehicle speed, so that the steering feel is "just right" regardless of speed.

I documented (with pictures) how I went about this on a Vintage Mustang forum. If anyone is interested do a google search for "Best $200 mod ever (EPS)"

or

follow this link to page 7 where the details start: [url=http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/787114-best-200-mod-ever-eps-7.html#post6037649[/url]..

Any questions just ask.

What sort of signal does the electric motor need? I plan on using a Holley Dominator ECU and it has a lot of user programmable outputs.

Andrew

[Mateospeed]

I recently installed electric power steering in a 1966 Mustang. I did not use a kit, I simply pulled a column style EPS from a newer GM vehicle and then spliced the unit into the original steering column.

The results far exceeded my expectations and the cost was less than $200. I designed a controller that automatically adjusts assist level based on vehicle speed, so that the steering feel is "just right" regardless of speed.

I documented (with pictures) how I went about this on a Vintage Mustang forum. If anyone is interested do a google search for "Best $200 mod ever (EPS)"

or

follow this link to page 7 where the details start: [url=http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/787114-best-200-mod-ever-eps-7.html#post6037649[/url]..

Any questions just ask.

I'd love to hear more about this project, especially your work on the programmer. I can't get the link to work (probably my fault!), but I'm very interested. Perhaps a quick summary of the intent of the vehicle, the basic programming logic, hardware, and software, and the rack used?

Thanks!
-Matt

[Restomod]

There is a guy on ebay that sells the adjustable box ($65) to run the gm eps ($180) . I just bought one to do this on my mustang but have not insalled it.