Retrofitting power steering

[dnb]

I'm still looking for the "right" Griff. I need to have PAS, but this is only an option on 500s after 1994.

I wondered if it was possible to retrofit?

All I can see you needing is a steering rack, a pump and reservoir and a load of hydraulic hose...

How much would this cost, and what can be had from the Rover and/or Ford part bins??

Thanks.

[B16 RFF]

Yes, this can be done. It was done to my serpentine Griff by one of the previous owners, according to Fernhurst. I think you're looking at about £1500.
I think thr rack is a TVR special, but not sure about the pump.

Paul.

>> Edited by B16 RFF on Saturday 3rd July 15:18

[RAW-SEWedge]

I think you'll need a shorter swirl pot and the additional expansion tank. Associated brackets to take the PAS pump. A new rack and a PAS pump.

wixer is in the process of obtaining these bit for his griff, I'm sure he could fill you in on the costs to date.

[B16 RFF]

RAW-SEWedge said:

I think you'll need a shorter swirl pot and the additional expansion tank. Associated brackets to take the PAS pump. A new rack and a PAS pump. wixer is in the process of obtaining these bit for his griff, I'm sure he could fill you in on the costs to date.

On the serp engine, the bracket is already there with a dummy pulley for the drive belt to go around. I was surprised to see this on a friends T-reg Griff, non-PAS.
Paul.
PS Shouldn't it already have an expansion tank?

>> Edited by B16 RFF on Saturday 3rd July 16:51

[RAW-SEWedge]

dnb said:

but this is only an option on 500s after 1994.

So I assume you're looking at pre-94 griffs ?

In which case they are going to be pre-serps and you'll need the above. Also looking at mine you'll need a new crank pully too because mine will only take one drive belt.

>> Edited by RAW-SEWedge on Saturday 3rd July 18:37

[dnb]

Thanks all!

I don't mind what year Griff I have, as long as it has all the right bits on it - like a 5 litre engine I have been looking around the 94/95 years up to now. For wife reasons it has to end up with PAS... (After all, it's her car)

I'm quite new to the whole TVR thing, so I just believe what I read about what MY comes with what options...

Interesting about the serp engines having a dummy pulley.

[wixer]

If you want to retro-fit PAS to a pre-serp you will need,
PAS rack and intermediate shaft (very hard to come by second hand)
Pump (LandRover)
PAS hoses
Convert the cooling system to the later twin tank system.
Crank pulley should have the takeoff for the belt, mine does but maybe some don't.
Convert your water pump and front cover to a LandRover type with the higher mounted water pump, if it doesn't already have that type. Mine's got the SD1 front cover but you can't fit the SD1 PAS setup as the exhaust and chassis are in the way.
The other options are to fabricate your own pump mounting bracket or get an electrically powered pump.

My advice is, find a car with PAS already fitted !!

>> Edited by wixer on Monday 5th July 09:02

[beano500]

wixer said:

My advice is, find a car with PAS already fitted !!

Just what I was thinking.....

...now where do we know someone with a 500 (in the best colour) with PAS who might be looking for another TVR...

...but seriously, by the time you've taken a car and retro-fitted things like PAS you need to consider how long you will keep it and whether it will "pay you back".

Why does it have to be PAS anyway? Plenty of non-PAS owners will tell you that their cars are better!

[wixer]

beano500 said:

Plenty of non-PAS owners will tell you that their cars are better!

That's because they don't have PAS. I haven't heard of anyone who's bought a car with PAS and taken it off, coz the car's crap with it !!

[icb]

Been trying to get second hand parts to retrofit to '98 Griff, but very hard to come by a rack. PAS was about £2k to fit new parts, and £800 to fit second hand. This was with SFR and TVR Central. Now given up as got used to not having it, and no problem. My girl friend drives it no bother and previous owner was a woman.

[griffter]

My experience (limited - 500 PAS vs 4.3 non-PAS) is that PAS gives you a quicker rack, non-PAS more feel. Pay your money, take your choice.

[dnb]

Thanks once again

The car needs PAS according to the girlfriend - it's going to be her car half the time

I'll look for one with PAS, but it would be silly to pass up the chance of getting a good car just because it doesn't have PAS and it can be fitted afterwards.

After all, there aren't all that many to choose from.

[Big_M]

Took us 6 months to find the right Griffith with PAS - ended up travelling from Essex to Bolton to buy our car - and no regrets since. We were advised by the local TVR dealer that they could fit PAS to a non PAS Griff. They said the cost would be about £1,500 to £2,000.

[jeh2os]

i fitted power steering to my 95 griff serp engine dead easy job if you need details e mail me as im off out for the weekend in 5 mins

[victormeldrew]

Sorry to ressurect an old thread, but ...

Amused at Pistonfest, having just been speaking to the helpful Mr Agger, who assured me that PAS cars are much easier to sell, to see parked not 30m away some unfortunate desperate for a high pressure PAS hose. Sorry to chuckle at your misfortune, but maybe there one person who'd happily sacrifice a little ase of parking for a reliable non-PAS rack!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Chims/Griffs drive just fine without, why bother with the expense and potential breakdowns of PAS?

Girls excepted of course!

>> Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 12th July 17:13

[dnb]

[quote]Girls excepted of course![/quote]

That's the catch...

[beano500]

To add further on this one "PAS" on a TVR is not like the sort of PAS you are expecting on a Eurobox.

Even with PAS, my Griff feels a fair handful when you're shuffling around - especially when you've just got out of an Audi. On the move, it's fine. Right from when I first drove mine I remember thinking how "balanced" it is above walking pace - you have so much feedback.

If I had the choice again I'd go for PAS (and the associated extra maintenance) but then I have run the car as an everyday car and don't like to get out and walk round the supermarket in pools of sweat.......

It also allows even bigger tyre bills

[DustyC]

I originally wanted PAS for the shorter rack.

Seeing that it was only 0.2 turns shorter I didnt see what all the fuss was about getting PAS anyway so didnt let it take priority in my purchase.

Without PAS it just means you have to park properly, only steer the wheels when moving. Since I do this anyway I dont even notice the difference.

Plus the best cars ever* didnt have PAS so its gotta be a good think

*Mac F1, AM Bulldog.

[mrmaggit]

dnb said:

[quote]Girls excepted of course!

That's the catch... [/quote]

I think Mrs FFG will take exception to that. She wanted one without PAS.

[DustyC]

Well done MrsFFG

I bet the people that only want PAS havent even tried non PAS.

>> Edited by DustyC on Tuesday 13th July 11:11