Electric Power Steering Conversion?

[RichB]

As I get older I sometimes consider if power steering would be an advantage on the Griff? Only really for parking and at slow speeds. I often see bolt on electric power steering kits advertised as a popular conversion for older classics without PAS and I started to wonder if this would be possible on the Griff. The advantage is that the sensitivity of the motor is adjustable, on some kits I believe it can be set from full assistance at under 5 mph and none at higher speeds. I believe the steering column is Vauxhall Cavalier but the issue may be that no one makes a kit to suit because Cavaliers all had PAS. Thoughts?

This type of thing...

[griffdude]

This has already been done by a few on here. Try dropping Phased a pm.

[RichB]

Thanks...

[Brithunter]

The only EPAS that I have had anything to do with is that fitted to the MGF's. It gives assist at low speeds and cuts out totally by 30 mph. Funny enough I have a column from a 1999/2000 MGF with it's ECU spare as it came from the donor car I used as spares.

[ukdj]

Lloyds Specialist Developments have fitted a variable EPAS system to Peter's (pb450) Chim, might be worth a call to them to discuss.

[BJWoods]

Sportmotive use a Subaru PAS rack, as an option (cheaper)

mentioned here
http://www.sportmotive.com/evochassis.html

[RichB]

I dropped Phazed a PM and he's also gone down the Subaru rack route. I was just thinking that a motor on the column would be easier and reversible should anyone ever want to go back to original. Does anyone know exactly what the column is from?

[ChimpOnGas]

When my TVR hydraulic power rack starts leaking (& it will one day) I'll be giving it electric assistance. Speed sensitive electric assistance to replace my leaky non-speed sensitive hydraulic assistance will give my current power steering system a whole new lease of life.

Going speed sensitive electric delivers further steering feel benefits from a leaking but otherwise mechanically perfectly serviceable hydraulic rack, just disconnect the hydraulic pipework, fit the motor to the column and recover the 10hp the parasitic PS pump sucks up.

My Canems system sits in the wings ready to implement this speed sensitive electrically assisted steering upgrade the very day the seals in my hydraulic rack give out making the Subaru rack idea and all the little mods it demands completely irrelevant.

So I'm waiting with enthusiastic anticipation for the day my seals fail as I won't be replacing them or even removing my rack, because the truth is electric power steering is not just for the manual rack boys.... a hydraulically assisted power rack disconnected from its hydraulic assistance is after all just a faster geared manual rack.

All I'll be doing is replacing hydraulic assistance with speed sensitive electric assistance... which by virtue of its seed sensitive advantage is errrr.... better

[Brithunter]

The MGF has the motor mounted on the column. This poor phot is the only one to hand of the MGF EPAS columns:-



TThe one on the left is the later MY2000 one with wider mounts and is rake adjustable. The eralier ones were not. Motor is mounted quite high up the column and the system is adjustable for centering. Hope this is useful information.

[RichB]

Yeah thanks. I think I need to know what column TVR used on the Griff and see if there's a ready made replacement.

[phillpot]

I don't know why but a Corsa column seems to be the favourite choice, not only with TVR 's, for doing a powered column conversion?

[Colin RedGriff]

I'm guessing the column is a Vauxhall item as the ignition switch and column gear is all Vauxhall.

Before Racing Green sold of the parts business they offered a ePAS conversion that I believe used a Corsa motor

Edited to add - these guys have done a Chimaera it seems so a Griff should be possible

http://www.ezpowersteering.nl/car/26/49/TVR.html

Edited by Colin RedGriff on Sunday 1st January 00:57

[mk1fan]

griffdude said:

This has already been done by a few on here. Try dropping Phased a pm.

Phazed used an electric, hydraulic pump to supply the rack. As per the T car set up.

'Pure' electric steering assistance does away with the hydraulics. Corsa based systems are the popular retro fit. Numerous TVR models have had them fitted by the owners. The last thread showing it was Engineer1949's Wedge build. Been fitted to the S as well. Plus other modders have fitted themto other marques.

[RichB]

Thanks guys, so it looks like the Corsa column is the preferred route. I'll have a word with Woody, he's ex-RG so should remember what they did too.

[eliot]

The Corsa B / C column is almost always used for conversions. I think one has used on an Ultima as well.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=121...

http://www.super7thheaven.co.uk/blog/corsa-c-elect...

[Sardonicus]

griffdude said:

This has already been done by a few on here. Try dropping Phased a pm.

Afraid not Peter uses an electric hyd pump with a conventional but hyd Scooby rack solution