718 steering
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Discussion

DaveGrohl

Original Poster:

995 posts

119 months

Wednesday 4th April 2018
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Just had my 981 Boxster GTS in for service, and had a 718 Cayman GTS for over a day as a result. First real go I've had in a 718 and I've got mixed feelings about them, moreso than I thought I would. I enjoyed the torquey engine and the car generally seemed very similar. Engine noise, well, hmmm, I've never been all about engine noise but I can see what all the fuss is about in this regard, having owned a 981 for two years I've grown to luuurve the noise, but been frustrated by the gutless nature of the engine so I was expecting to like the 718 engine more.

Anyhoo, what I did like was the 718 steering. My biggest problem with the 981 is the slow steering. So my question is can the 718's steering setup be fitted to the 981? Is it possible technically? Prob a totally daft question but I'm curious.

Twinfan

10,125 posts

126 months

Wednesday 4th April 2018
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It's a different rack I think, so not an easy change to make.

I felt the opposite to you - I didn't like the quicker turning rack of the 718 and preferred the 981's. At speed it feels more precise, the 718's I found a little flighty. Probably handier for town driving or parking though.

DaveGrohl

Original Poster:

995 posts

119 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
quotequote all
Have you driven a 458 Tw? Now that's a flighty steer!

My other drives have quicker steering than the 981 so I'm used to quick steering, I didn't find the 718 flighty at all, just more chuckable. The car feels more alive on a lively drive. I can cope with turning the wheel loads when parking or around town, it's out on the open road where I want the quick steering. Interesting that you aren't a fan of the new steering, I just assumed everyone would see it as an improvement.

Edited by DaveGrohl on Thursday 5th April 06:54

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

287 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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the gen 1 EPS is the reason I avoided the 981 run of cars.

So I can see why you liked the 718 steering more.

Pinball

471 posts

152 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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Twinfan said:
It's a different rack I think, so not an easy change to make.

I felt the opposite to you - I didn't like the quicker turning rack of the 718 and preferred the 981's. At speed it feels more precise, the 718's I found a little flighty. Probably handier for town driving or parking though.
Yes, from the 911 Turbo.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markewing/2016/02/29/...

Rojibo

1,746 posts

99 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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Did it have the progressive steering option ticked? Don’t suppose you’d know, but that would account for quicker steering at lower speeds.

bcr5784

7,375 posts

167 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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Twinfan said:
It's a different rack I think, so not an easy change to make.
.
Even so it might still be possible - though not cheap. That said people spend loads of money on extras which they will never recoup on resale - 6k on ceramics for example. I'd personally value the improved steering at a couple of grand or more, and would have paid that extra when I bought the car (knowing the difference) had it been an option.I would think it worth while doing now if the car was a keeper.

Retired01

39 posts

98 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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Rojibo said:
Did it have the progressive steering option ticked? Don’t suppose you’d know, but that would account for quicker steering at lower speeds.
I'm fairly sure that this option just provides more assistance a low speeds. Makes parking easier. Max assistance as zero speed tapering off as speed rises.

Ratio is unchanged fro standard steering.

Green1man

556 posts

110 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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anonymous said:
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I’m not quite sure what you mean by ‘digital’ in this sense, the rack is no more digital than it ever has been, it is a completely mechanical connection from steering wheel to wheels, its just the assistance that is electrical, plus some additional feedback is generated in certain circumstances.

Green1man

556 posts

110 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Given there is a mechanical connection is clear that ALL the feedback is not ‘generated’. The feedback could be considered ‘generated’ by a hydrolic system it’s just done automatically by the hydraulic system due to torque changes at the wheels. The electric system does a similar thing it’s just it has to measure the torque with sensors and feedback accordingly, of course this gives more options on how you apply that feedback which is the ‘mapping’ you speak of. But it’s no more digital than the engine is digital (ECU controlled), or the brakes.


anonymous said:
[redacted]
True but I expect the electronics in this regard are very similar between 718 and 981 generations, but it’s certainly an area that might be a problem.

bcr5784

7,375 posts

167 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Are you seriously suggesting that ANY hydraulic steering system matches (or gets close) to the best unassisted system?

bcr5784

7,375 posts

167 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
>>>>>>>>

bcr5784

7,375 posts

167 months

Thursday 5th April 2018
quotequote all
Let's be clear. Power steering systems - whether hydraulic or electric have some mechanism to measure the torque applied at the steering wheel and an "ampllifier" whether analogue or digital to drive the actuator (whether hydraulic or electric) to help move the rack. There is no fundamental reason why an analogue (hydraulic) system should have less losses/distortion than a digital system. (It's entirely analogous to digital vs analogue music reproduction)

As it happens, at the moment, it's pretty clear that the best hydraulic systems are better than the best electric ones. But (like music if you are not stuck with the usual 44kb mp3 limit) there is no reason why electric systems shouldn't outperform hydraulic ones. The trouble with both at the moment is that they introduce so much stiction/noise that neither get close to the best unassisted systems.

Let's face it the first hydraulic systems on American cars were truly awful, but hydraulic systems have been improved - electric ones are improving, but have some way to catch up on the best. But electric ones are lighter and less power sapping.

Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 6th April 07:55