West Coast Fiero Hydraulic Power Steering......Welding required? (Page 1/2)
imacflier MAR 15, 01:19 PM
Afternoon, All,

I am interested in the hydraulic power steering from WCF. I cannot tell from the web site and descriptions if the rack adapter is bolt on or must be welded. As usual, WCF has not been responive to my email....so....Does anyone know the answer?

Larry
olejoedad MAR 15, 03:51 PM
No
imacflier MAR 15, 07:45 PM
Not trying to be a smart ass, but "No: no welding required" or "No: no one knows"?

TIA for the clarification!

Larry
olejoedad MAR 15, 08:09 PM
No welding required, but maybe some slight mods to fit.
Spoon MAR 15, 10:10 PM
The p/s kit I purchased from WCF some years ago was a virtual bolt in. There are 2 mounting pods on the front cross member. The one on the drivers side has to be cut off flush with the cross member. Once its cut there is no going back. That's why I picked up an extra cross member before I started, just in case.

When I told them my Fiero had a 2.8 in it, I had to beg them to sell me the kit. They claimed it won't work on a 2.8 due to lack of a pump. I convinced them that it would and they shipped it.

Spoon


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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

Dennis LaGrua MAR 16, 08:57 AM

quote
Originally posted by Spoon:

The p/s kit I purchased from WCF some years ago was a virtual bolt in. There are 2 mounting pods on the front cross member. The one on the drivers side has to be cut off flush with the cross member. Once its cut there is no going back. That's why I picked up an extra cross member before I started, just in case.

When I told them my Fiero had a 2.8 in it, I had to beg them to sell me the kit. They claimed it won't work on a 2.8 due to lack of a pump. I convinced them that it would and they shipped it.

Spoon




I recall seeing that P/S install when you had the 2.8L and you did a fabulous job on it. Don't recall seeing a P/S pump on your 3800SC install. As for never going back, I just upgraded our welder to a Hobart 190 Handler gas mig and you can fab just about anything with that setup and it's very easy to use. Not trying to sell you anything but if you need to weld ( or need a way to go back) it's a great welder.

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imacflier MAR 16, 10:55 AM
Thanks, Guys

Very helpful and appreciated.

I think will install using the MR-2 Spyder electric pump. It appears that the MR-2 VSS is very close to the Fiero (although I have not determined if it is a 5vdc or 12vdc level yet).

Anyway, I will post as the process begins!

Larry
cvxjet MAR 16, 06:01 PM
I was also looking at using the MR2 Spyder pump; From what I have read, it needs A) Key power to turn on, B) A ground, C) a Heavy duty 12 V supply and D) the (Stock) signal from the Fiero VSS....No mods are necessary. I have not carried thru because I have several other projects going on (Plus Lupus caused by Omeprazole (Don't touch that crap!)

As far as telling you that "You can't use it if you have a Fiero 2.8" What kind of silliness is that? If you have the skill to install their PWR Steering kit, I would think you could add a beltdriven (Or electric) pump...It's not rocket science (Umm.......mount pump, add belt, connect hoses.....let's see.....maybe add oil...? Ummm......Duh.......)

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 03-16-2020).]

Spoon MAR 16, 07:49 PM
imacflier, here's a peek of my 2.8 with pwr-steering.








After doing the 3800sc swap I only had to reconnect a few wires. I set it up to be activated by an adjustable pressure switch (15 psi) tee'd in under the oil pressure switch. The rest of the setup is independent of the engine. Speed sensor is tied into the yellow wire on the VSS for the 4 spd trans.

Everything works fine.

Spoon

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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

Raydar MAR 16, 08:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by Spoon:
...
I set it up to be activated by an adjustable pressure switch (15 psi) tee'd in under the oil pressure switch.




Is that so that the pump will shut off if the engine is not running?