SEAC question

[D P - 400se]

I am toying wityh the idea of trading up to a SEAC and have a couple of questions to ask:
Can power steering be fitted to a SEAC that does not currently have it installed?
Regarding the SEAC's fitted with the kevlar bodies, is it anymore difficult to get one resprayed than a standard GRP one?

[redwedge5]

Power steering - if you are looking at the original set up you would need new rack, new pump/pulley, fluid reservoir and mounting bracket for pump (TVR made apparently). These may not be easily obtainable unless you can get them s/h.

Paint job - not sure, but probably little difference unless you want the kevlar to look as smooth/ripple free as pure glassfibre!

[2 sheds]

Power steering can be fitted to non PAS cars but requires a fair bit of work, I assume that you have found one for sale without then ? over half of the 420s and nearly all the 450s had PAS .
Painting is not a problem whether glass or Kevlar the same resin system was used , the only recommendation would be to use a soft undercoat on the Kevlar body as it can flex very easily, although i don't think that this is essential.
Tim

[D P - 400se]

Tim

The car in question is one of the ones you told me about which doesnt have PAS. Never having driven a wedge without PAS i do not know yet how much of a problem that would be to me. Guess the only way to find out will be a test drive!

[2 sheds]

Ok that one has rose joint suspension to, I would leave it as it is, i.e raw 1980's racer appeal, but thats only my opinion the majority prefer power steering, i don't know if its true but apparently Peter Wheeler refused to offer power steering with the early 420's, I guess he thought power steering was for pansy vegetarians, whilst SEAC stood for full fat Sausage Egg And Chips !
Let me know how you get on.
Tim

[patrick]

I've got a full fat SEAC -- it's fine out & about, the only time it becomes a pain, is parking in a tight spot. Having never driven a wedge with PAS, can't tell ya if it's better/worse. But I like the 'hurling it into a corner' feeling

[TaSmania]

I've had both PAS and non-PAS cars. My 400 felt a bit vague, this was a PAS car but then it never felt like a complete package as a car or rather I never felt at home in it(probably me!). My SEAC being an early one is full fat and whilst the steering can kick back on rough terain and does follow the camber (especially those big truck ruts on the NS lane on the M.Way) it gives much greater feel, I don't thinks it's too much of a problem when parking either - I certainly feel more in tune with the car than I did with the 400 even with the SEAC's current well under adjusted (soft) rear dampers!
Mine's been resprayed and those who saw it at Mania said it looked okay - it's Kevlar up front in the nose.
GB

[Podie]

2 sheds said:

... whilst SEAC stood for full fat Sausage Egg And Chips !