Fitting PAS to a 280i?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I've currently got my 280i up for sale, so far I've had no bites at all :(
Now in all honesty I'm not really sure why I'm selling it. It's a brilliant car but I just don't seem to use it much.
After much introspection I've finally worked out why...
It's the heavy steering - it really p*sses me off.
The car has wider tyres than original spec and as a result it hase very good grip & handling, but is an absolute pig at parking speeds.
What I'd like to know is - can a 280i be converted to power steering?
If my memory serves me right it's a Mk.V Cortina rack isn't it?
I assume Cortina power racks and pumps are available.
Anbody tried fitting one?
As ever, all feedback gratefully recieved.
Bob.
I've currently got my 280i up for sale, so far I've had no bites at all :(
Now in all honesty I'm not really sure why I'm selling it. It's a brilliant car but I just don't seem to use it much.
After much introspection I've finally worked out why...
It's the heavy steering - it really p*sses me off.
The car has wider tyres than original spec and as a result it hase very good grip & handling, but is an absolute pig at parking speeds.
What I'd like to know is - can a 280i be converted to power steering?
If my memory serves me right it's a Mk.V Cortina rack isn't it?
I assume Cortina power racks and pumps are available.
Anbody tried fitting one?
As ever, all feedback gratefully recieved.
Bob.
My Tasmin has factory fitted PAS. Its a Cortina rack ( I think) with a Granada PAS pump and a unique (!) implementation. TVR Car parts appear to have the pulley wheels used to tension the belt. I wouldnt frankly recommend copying this set-up as the tensioning system is flawed but it could be modified I would think.. If you want more info let me know.
I've seen three methods of mounting the PAS pump, allegedly an ex-SD1 item in two cases.
One version has the pump mounted very low down on the LH side of the engine, with the filler neck right down below the air filter.
The other version (as in my car) has the pump to the left of the distributor, with the filler nice and accessible.
The wierdest is on a 280 with the radiator in the nose. The pump is on a bracket in front of the engine, facing backwards! Looks like a derivative of the same pump but with a remote reservoir.
On these pumps (IIRC Hoburn Eaton) the casing slides off and can be swapped for ones with different filler necks or, I presume, the remote reservoir attachment.
Also different diameter pulleys can be fitted to suit the drive speed required.
I have a spare pump (ex-Princess or Allegro, I forget) that appears identical to the one on my car but has a shorter filler neck.
One version has the pump mounted very low down on the LH side of the engine, with the filler neck right down below the air filter.
The other version (as in my car) has the pump to the left of the distributor, with the filler nice and accessible.
The wierdest is on a 280 with the radiator in the nose. The pump is on a bracket in front of the engine, facing backwards! Looks like a derivative of the same pump but with a remote reservoir.
On these pumps (IIRC Hoburn Eaton) the casing slides off and can be swapped for ones with different filler necks or, I presume, the remote reservoir attachment.
Also different diameter pulleys can be fitted to suit the drive speed required.
I have a spare pump (ex-Princess or Allegro, I forget) that appears identical to the one on my car but has a shorter filler neck.
Bob, I think it's the chassis that's going to be the main problem, getting in the way of a PAS rack. I would have thought if you can overcome this the rest is certainly achievable.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=177249&f=12&h=0&hw=power+steering
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=177249&f=12&h=0&hw=power+steering
Couple of things, if you want an SD1 pump to try and get to fit, I've one spare, but its done something like 120k so you may want to only use it for a test mule?
Also a couple of the Tasmin racers have converted to PAS in a series one chassis, might be worth a phone call to the likes of RT or Moore?
Regards
Iain
Also a couple of the Tasmin racers have converted to PAS in a series one chassis, might be worth a phone call to the likes of RT or Moore?
Regards
Iain
Have a 350i without PAS. Greasing ball joints, setting it up properly even parking has improved a lot compared to when I got the car. I got used to no power steering and it is fine for me (even on track days the rack is quick enough-perhaps I am not going fast enough). Above 30 mph I can steer with two fingers (compared to one) and all the feel you need, but yes parking is an adventure compared to modern day cars. I got used to the parking. Shame if you can't live without the power steering, as if all is ok it could just be acceptable.
Rob
Rob
Thanks for all the input guys - much appreciated.
I'm pretty sure the wide wheels are responsible for the heavy steering. I replaced the track rod ends and the steering rack when I bought it less than a year ago, but I will check it over again.
It's definately heavier than my old 280i FHC which I used as my everyday car for seven years (so I'm not a softarse!
)
I always thought the rack on my old 400SE was brilliant - really quick and darty - I'd like the 280i to feel like that.
I'll give Richard at RT a ring in the week, sounds like he may be the man to talk to. I'll also try my mechanic, I've just remembered he converted a MK2 Jag to power steering with an a adapted XJS rack.
I'm pretty sure the wide wheels are responsible for the heavy steering. I replaced the track rod ends and the steering rack when I bought it less than a year ago, but I will check it over again.
It's definately heavier than my old 280i FHC which I used as my everyday car for seven years (so I'm not a softarse!
) I always thought the rack on my old 400SE was brilliant - really quick and darty - I'd like the 280i to feel like that.
I'll give Richard at RT a ring in the week, sounds like he may be the man to talk to. I'll also try my mechanic, I've just remembered he converted a MK2 Jag to power steering with an a adapted XJS rack.
chassis 33 said:
Also a couple of the Tasmin racers have converted to PAS in a series one chassis, might be worth a phone call to the likes of RT or Moore?
The chassis is heavily cut and shut to do it. They change the bracing and other stuff. OK for a racer but not a road car. Unless you have a the PAS compatible chassis, this is a non starter for a road car.
I'd say this would be one of the easier conversions to do .. a bit of cutting and rewelding of teh chassis shouldn't be enough to put you off ..
any rack will do as long as the pinion is the same side of the rack (though turning the steering left and the car going right could be fun for a short while ..) .. all you need is a similar rack length to the track rod swivel joints and get track rods made up if there's any shortfall to teh track rod ends.
Then use an electric pump from a citroen saxo / peugeot 106.
By the way, I'm doing a diesel conversion into my tasmin to give me the incentive i need to use it every day
45mpg should do it 
any rack will do as long as the pinion is the same side of the rack (though turning the steering left and the car going right could be fun for a short while ..) .. all you need is a similar rack length to the track rod swivel joints and get track rods made up if there's any shortfall to teh track rod ends.
Then use an electric pump from a citroen saxo / peugeot 106.
By the way, I'm doing a diesel conversion into my tasmin to give me the incentive i need to use it every day
45mpg should do it 
tallbloke said:
That's what I'm going for. LPG Plus a turbo.
Like LPG a lot myself, had several cars as is it was cheap and cheerful (and that is the drive as being Dutch of course).
What about methanol, as it seems that you have looked into several options. To me, I think it will be the fuel of the future. And a conversion of our beloved RV8s should not be to difficult (I said as an automotive engineer...). Perhaps we could even apply for an 'environmental friendly' premium. Benefit would be that we could increase our compression ratio in the process to give bhp/litre as VTEC on petrol.
Ah, forgot about methanol availability. Can't we produce that ourselves at home?
Rob
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