That old retro-fit power steering question again...
Discussion
Hi All,
I know this has been covered before but I'm looking for any new info. I'm considering retro-fitting power steering to the Griff.
I've spoken to the TVR specialist who looks after my car and they have quoted me £2.4k (for a standard TVR system) to be fitted while they are doing some other work for me (thereby reducing the labour cost).
I'm wondering if there are any viable (and less expensive) options and if anyone has any experience of them?
Note also, that my spanner skills do not stretch to fitting a system myself....
Any feedback, info gratefully received.
I know this has been covered before but I'm looking for any new info. I'm considering retro-fitting power steering to the Griff.
I've spoken to the TVR specialist who looks after my car and they have quoted me £2.4k (for a standard TVR system) to be fitted while they are doing some other work for me (thereby reducing the labour cost).
I'm wondering if there are any viable (and less expensive) options and if anyone has any experience of them?
Note also, that my spanner skills do not stretch to fitting a system myself....
Any feedback, info gratefully received.
, £2.4K, now's the time to think about early retirement…………….carsy said:
Thanks Carsy I have actually seen that thread. It makes interesting reading but I'm looking for someone to do the work for me rather than a diy project. I know about this http://tvrengineer.co.uk/tvr-upgrades/electric-pow... but wondered whether anyone had had it done or if there was something else? Cheers.Racing green do an electric upgrade, no price on the website but I am sure its a lot less than you've been quoted with the bonus that is uses the existing manual rack so no PAS leaks.
http://www.racinggreentvr.com/TVR/Parts/Upgrades/G...
http://www.racinggreentvr.com/TVR/Parts/Upgrades/G...
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Dollyman1850 said:
Why would anyone want to spoil a lovely direct feeling manual rack?? Do some bicep exercises…
N.
This!N.
After PAS became standard I had to beg Peter Wheeler to build my Chimaera without (or more accurately knock £980 off the price
)I've made a few other 'changes' hiding behind the 'it'll make it easier to drive' premise of course - the 4 pot Brembos were "justified" on the grounds that it would make the brakes lighter, the T5 tailhousing swap on the grounds that it would make the gearchange action better (the new box was justified like that too - hopefully no-one will realise I used the same excuse twice)...
As a bloke I consider it my duty to milk any possible cause...
Phi
Dollyman1850 said:
Why would anyone want to spoil a lovely direct feeling manual rack?? Do some bicep exercises…
N.
Because I live in London where a manual rack is a pita. Plus, my old chim had ps and I preferred it. Made it easier to steer without getting my medallions caught in my chest hair....N.
ToneyCaroney said:
Dollyman1850 said:
Why would anyone want to spoil a lovely direct feeling manual rack?? Do some bicep exercises…
N.
Because I live in London where a manual rack is a pita. Plus, my old chim had ps and I preferred it. Made it easier to steer without getting my medallions caught in my chest hair....N.
Absolutely right.
Why oh why do people go on about how good these cars are without power steering.
As previously said it takes the enjoyment out of driving. When things go wrong, you can't react quick enough with the manual rack.
Sure it's fine cruising down motorways and A roads but any spirited driving leaves you wondering what TVR were thinking not putting in power steering as standard.
All IMHO of course, ( as manual rack lovers are available).
Why oh why do people go on about how good these cars are without power steering.
As previously said it takes the enjoyment out of driving. When things go wrong, you can't react quick enough with the manual rack.
Sure it's fine cruising down motorways and A roads but any spirited driving leaves you wondering what TVR were thinking not putting in power steering as standard.
All IMHO of course, ( as manual rack lovers are available).
phazed said:
Absolutely right.
Why oh why do people go on about how good these cars are without power steering.
As previously said it takes the enjoyment out of driving. When things go wrong, you can't react quick enough with the manual rack.
Sure it's fine cruising down motorways and A roads but any spirited driving leaves you wondering what TVR were thinking not putting in power steering as standard.
All IMHO of course, ( as manual rack lovers are available).
A power rack does not alter the rack ratio!Why oh why do people go on about how good these cars are without power steering.
As previously said it takes the enjoyment out of driving. When things go wrong, you can't react quick enough with the manual rack.
Sure it's fine cruising down motorways and A roads but any spirited driving leaves you wondering what TVR were thinking not putting in power steering as standard.
All IMHO of course, ( as manual rack lovers are available).
As for spirited driving a manual rack is no more heavy to operate whilst on the move than a power rack..Parking..fair enough but the loss in feel to gain parking performance in a sports car I just do not understand..
Fiat puntos now come with city buttons….You can have a power rack with extra wobbly control for city parking…
I really don't know what the world is coming to…
N.
If you already have a manual steering rack, an EPAS conversion linked up to vehicle speed really does offer the best of both worlds. Typical cost is £1500 plus VAT. The alternative upper balljoint caster adjustment shims sold by SC Power also help, if EPAS cost does not suit your budget. 
Dollyman1850 said:
phazed said:
Absolutely right.
Why oh why do people go on about how good these cars are without power steering.
As previously said it takes the enjoyment out of driving. When things go wrong, you can't react quick enough with the manual rack.
Sure it's fine cruising down motorways and A roads but any spirited driving leaves you wondering what TVR were thinking not putting in power steering as standard.
All IMHO of course, ( as manual rack lovers are available).
A power rack does not alter the rack ratio!Why oh why do people go on about how good these cars are without power steering.
As previously said it takes the enjoyment out of driving. When things go wrong, you can't react quick enough with the manual rack.
Sure it's fine cruising down motorways and A roads but any spirited driving leaves you wondering what TVR were thinking not putting in power steering as standard.
All IMHO of course, ( as manual rack lovers are available).
As for spirited driving a manual rack is no more heavy to operate whilst on the move than a power rack..Parking..fair enough but the loss in feel to gain parking performance in a sports car I just do not understand..
Fiat puntos now come with city buttons….You can have a power rack with extra wobbly control for city parking…
I really don't know what the world is coming to…
N.
Try correcting a slide or at least the back stepping out with a manual rack compared to a power steering rack and the difference is night and day.
My power steering rack is definitely slightly lighter at speed then a manual rack. I'm not saying that's good but i'd have the power steering rack for all the other reasons any day over the manual rack.
phazed said:
The PS racks are 2.2 turns lock to lock whereas the manual rack is 2.4 turns if I remember correctly.
Try correcting a slide or at least the back stepping out with a manual rack compared to a power steering rack and the difference is night and day.
My power steering rack is definitely slightly lighter at speed then a manual rack. I'm not saying that's good but i'd have the power steering rack for all the other reasons any day over the manual rack.
I find that having a well balanced manual rack without the dullness and overly light feel of a power rack means I don't get the car into such attitudes where I am having to correct slides!Try correcting a slide or at least the back stepping out with a manual rack compared to a power steering rack and the difference is night and day.
My power steering rack is definitely slightly lighter at speed then a manual rack. I'm not saying that's good but i'd have the power steering rack for all the other reasons any day over the manual rack.
mind you my Griffy is somewhat older
You modern TVR drivers do realise that there are nice girly sportscars out there where all the modern comforts are available from the factory!!
Dollyman1850 said:
I find that having a well balanced manual rack without the dullness and overly light feel of a power rack means I don't get the car into such attitudes where I am having to correct slides!
mind you my Griffy is somewhat older
You modern TVR drivers do realise that there are nice girly sportscars out there where all the modern comforts are available from the factory!!
Tremendous beast there Dolly. Echo Phazed's sentiment there! Of course, if my Griff was a track-only car then I wouldn't be considering it. But it isn't and real life experience tells me that I preferred my ps Chim to drive in 'normal' circumstances.mind you my Griffy is somewhat older
You modern TVR drivers do realise that there are nice girly sportscars out there where all the modern comforts are available from the factory!!
I agree with Phazed too re catching a slide: the ps rack makes me (feel) more confident of catching it in time
Ps v manual rack is a no brainer for my particular circumstances.
Dodsy said:
Racing green do an electric upgrade, no price on the website but I am sure its a lot less than you've been quoted with the bonus that is uses the existing manual rack so no PAS leaks.
http://www.racinggreentvr.com/TVR/Parts/Upgrades/G...
When I was researching PAS for my Chim, I saw this ad and called them. They told me they didn't do the conversion kit any more, and that it was an old ad. Why the ad was (or has) never been removed from their website, I have no idea.http://www.racinggreentvr.com/TVR/Parts/Upgrades/G...
I managed to find a referb'd rack in the end, and had the conversion done by Neil Garner - a great job he did too!
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