Has anyone done an electric power steering conversion?

[Barkychoc]

and if so what hardware did you use?

I've been tentatively thinking of trying to do this to my TVR V8S.

From what I can see electric column options are Corsa (B & C Type?), MGF, Fiat Punto & Renault.

I'd be interested in any info anyone has.

Chris

[hilly]

I have just done an electric column conversion on my Lotus Esprit using a Corsa c unit.

Have a a look here http://www.motorgeek.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=96... (about half way down the page) as it covers the conversion.

Hilly

[ricola]

I fitted a Corsa C unit in my old Phantom GTR... pics on my website.

[Barkychoc]

Thanks for the info - the TVR S steering column is escort MK3 so it look do able, I'll maybe have to get a special UJ made to make it all fit together.

How difficult is the wiring for the Corsa C unit (I'm totally confident with wiring so this doesn't worry me unduly), I presume it needs a hefty power supply?

Chris

[ricola]

I had a hybrid UJ made up and with the splined lower corsa section it was all fairly easy mechanically. Bought a controller module which sent all the correct signals and a dummy speed signal, that was £40, contact details for seller on my site too and it came with wiring diagram

[tegwin]

There was a chap selling electric power steering units that fit on the steering column above the peddlebox.....He had a stand at stoneleigh...

£750 for the basic motor unit with speed sensative controler etc...

Quite a lot, but for a fully developed unit....might be worth it...

[Davi]

tegwin said:

There was a chap selling electric power steering units that fit on the steering column above the peddlebox.....He had a stand at stoneleigh...

£750 for the basic motor unit with speed sensative controler etc...

Quite a lot, but for a fully developed unit....might be worth it...

Sounds rather like a corsa unit with a control box added to me... which would make for a rather expensive control box! Did it take input from the steering wheel as well, or was it just speed?

[Mr2Mike]

Just make sure the part of the structure that the power column is bolted to is up to the job. These columns can extert a lot of force which the dash are of most cars was never designed to take. I'd hate the see the damage a powered steering column would make if it ripped itself out of it's mountings.

[Barkychoc]

Yes I'd already realised that I'm probably going to have to beef up the mountings, looks like I might have to fabricate something as there's only 2 bolt positions on my car.
I'm organising the TVR S Club Heaven event along with 4 other guys, which is at the Newark Kit Car Show this year (22nd June) so I guess there may be a steering conversion or two there.

Chris

[ricola]

Davi said:

Sounds rather like a corsa unit with a control box added to me... which would make for a rather expensive control box! Did it take input from the steering wheel as well, or was it just speed?

It was a TRW made Nissan/Renault unit, I know because I have worked on it! As far as I could see he has made an additional controller which reproduces all the correct CAN signals and manipulates a vehicle speed signal to get the assistance curve you want. The corsa one is far simpler/cheaper to retrofit.. Most column drive use torque as one of the main inputs, as well as steering position, angular velocity and vehicle speed.
Rich