PAS vs Non PAS
Discussion
Hi,
I know the early cars didn't come with power steering as standard but was available as an option.
How heavy is the non-PAS steering set-up?
I'm not concerned about parking speeds when I know it will be heavy, I'm referring to when the car is on the move. It is highly likely that if I buy a Chim I will not be able to drive it (insurance reasons), I'll jut be a passenger.
Many thanks.
I know the early cars didn't come with power steering as standard but was available as an option.
How heavy is the non-PAS steering set-up?
I'm not concerned about parking speeds when I know it will be heavy, I'm referring to when the car is on the move. It is highly likely that if I buy a Chim I will not be able to drive it (insurance reasons), I'll jut be a passenger.
Many thanks.
LOL - Karl, I think you mean if you "test drive" it you won't be in the driver's seat, when you buy it you will be driving!
On the move there isn't much in it, as you quite rightly surmise it's at parking speed there is quite a bit of difference, a non-PAS chim has (slightly) narrower front tyres as std to compensate (a bit).
It's swings and roundabouts, a lot of the PAS Chims have leaks at the hose couplers (like mine does) and the non-PAS ones have "one less thing to go wrong"... I like having it for parking
Anything over 15mph and you won't feel much of a difference at all.
On the move there isn't much in it, as you quite rightly surmise it's at parking speed there is quite a bit of difference, a non-PAS chim has (slightly) narrower front tyres as std to compensate (a bit).
It's swings and roundabouts, a lot of the PAS Chims have leaks at the hose couplers (like mine does) and the non-PAS ones have "one less thing to go wrong"... I like having it for parking
Anything over 15mph and you won't feel much of a difference at all.
Julesprivate said:
LOL - Karl, I think you mean if you "test drive" it you won't be in the driver's seat, when you buy it you will be driving!
Very true Jules!!!!!I'm now looking at three potentials. One defo has no PAS, one has PAS and one is unknown at the moment but I have arranged a viewing by voicemail.
I'm at the dithering stage trying to find as much pointless info as possible before I commit.
A900ss said:
I'm at the dithering stage trying to find as much pointless info as possible before I commit.
Non pas is fine once moving, and only an issue at very slow parking speed, but its not that big an issue .....there are problems with pas systems leaking but the ones who have driven both certainly on track like peter (phazed.) reckon there is better feedback from the assisted setting up.
We drove both when buying and preferred the non-PAS, not for any earth shattering reason than...just preferred it. When parking as long as the wheels are turning even slightly then there really isn't a problem.
In the olden days they even had lorries without PAS (I also hear you had to use a key to unlock the doors - quite bizarre)
Don't base your choice on the PAS/non-PAS there are far more important things to consider.
Chassis
Maintenance history
General condition
In the olden days they even had lorries without PAS (I also hear you had to use a key to unlock the doors - quite bizarre
)Don't base your choice on the PAS/non-PAS there are far more important things to consider.
Chassis
Maintenance history
General condition
PAS in TVR terms is a bit 'grey'.
We have a Chim 500 with PAS and it is nothing like a modern PAS car. You are not going to sit there and twirl the steering wheel around with your thumb and forefinger. It is still a significant haul on the wheel at parking speeds. Add this to the less turns of the steering wheel lock to lock on the PAS version and any gains in having PAS are almost lost.
It should not be a factor in choosing one car over another.
(and yes it is more to go wrong!)
We have a Chim 500 with PAS and it is nothing like a modern PAS car. You are not going to sit there and twirl the steering wheel around with your thumb and forefinger. It is still a significant haul on the wheel at parking speeds. Add this to the less turns of the steering wheel lock to lock on the PAS version and any gains in having PAS are almost lost.
It should not be a factor in choosing one car over another.
(and yes it is more to go wrong!)
That's one side of the medal and cited as the reason to prefer PAS by the contemporary press here. The other side is that if you're as ham fisted/uncoördinated as me you need the weight and slightly slower rack of the unassisted steering for it to feel natural at speed and not having to make conscious effort to moderate your inputs. If the steering were much lighter and quicker (as per Tuscan) I'd be in perpetual danger to 'over-drive' the car and get myself into a situation where quick correction is called for in the first place. As it is now, driving clean lines and using the slow in, fast out technique (which IMO suits the car best) comes naturally.
It's really swings and roundabouts with this particular breed of car, and you should really drive both to see what suits you best.
As said, there's always the (albeit expensive) option of adding EPAS (www.ezpowersteering.nl) which gives all the advantages of a PAS set up and none of the drawbacks. As a bonus, you get rid of a not very well executed shortening and weld of the Cavalier steering column shaft (I'll be offering a replacement shaft for non-PAS Chims and Griffs in collaboration with EZ Power Steering in due course, too - I'll be posting pics of the original shaft as it comes out, you'll immediately see why replacing it with a properly machined piece is A Good Idea ).
It's really swings and roundabouts with this particular breed of car, and you should really drive both to see what suits you best.
As said, there's always the (albeit expensive) option of adding EPAS (www.ezpowersteering.nl) which gives all the advantages of a PAS set up and none of the drawbacks. As a bonus, you get rid of a not very well executed shortening and weld of the Cavalier steering column shaft (I'll be offering a replacement shaft for non-PAS Chims and Griffs in collaboration with EZ Power Steering in due course, too - I'll be posting pics of the original shaft as it comes out, you'll immediately see why replacing it with a properly machined piece is A Good Idea
). 
I don't have PAS, but I can certainly feel the results in my arms, shoulders and back after an afternoon's hooning round the twisties... Having said that the standard seats aren't great for spirited twisty stuff..... (and before anyone pipes up with a smart arse remark age has nothing to do with it) I can well imagine how tiring it could be if racing... to the extent it would slow you down as fatigue set in?
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