Power steering pump alternatives? (Page 1/2)
SCCA FIERO JUL 04, 02:15 PM
Before anyone claims the Fiero doesn't need power steering - it needs faster steering if you have fat sticky tires and you race!

Just wondering if anyone has tried the electric pumps from Mini or Volvo? The Volvo only has three wires and the supply/return hoses. The MRs pump are hard to find and crazy expensive.
Rickady88GT JUL 04, 05:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by SCCA FIERO:

Before anyone claims the Fiero doesn't need power steering - it needs faster steering if you have fat sticky tires and you race!

Just wondering if anyone has tried the electric pumps from Mini or Volvo? The Volvo only has three wires and the supply/return hoses. The MRs pump are hard to find and crazy expensive.



I am only try to argue here, Everybody can benefit from faster more precise powersteering in a Fiero
Sorry, I can't help you here but I were to build another Fiero I would search for an electric rack, not the steering column. The electric steering racks are much more common now than ever. No pump or lines of any kind, just a rack with a motor inside the rack itself. I have no idea what the ratios are or the needed inputs but that seems like the future of powersteering.
Just a thought.
IMSA GT JUL 04, 05:16 PM
If it helps at all:

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-04-2020).]

SCCA FIERO JUL 04, 05:18 PM
I found out the Mazda 3 also uses an electric pump as well.

About the powered racks - I didn't have a clue. I hear mention of the RX8 using one, but really haven't looked into it. I just wonder what those would cost/weigh...
cvxjet JUL 04, 05:29 PM
I believe the new Mustangs have a very good all electric rack- but you would have to be the first to mod one for a Fiero. I was looking at electric pumps and snagged an MR2 Spyder one off of Ebay.....But I have a number of other stuff to do first (And I have to use a C4 Vette rack because I have the battery up front (The F-body standard WCF setup won't clear the battery box)

If I was just cruising around I probably would never need power steering......But the Fiero racks are all very slow.....I don't think I would want the C4 2-turn rack (Too quick) but the 2.5 rack would seem to be the sweet spot.....Racing a Fiero (Especially cone-courses) you really need quicker steering.....and a quicker ratio with competitive wide racing tires is going to equal STIFF steering....So you need POWER steering....



2019 Mustang rack $199 on Ebay...The motor sticks out forward so it would not need much modification.....Might even clear my battery box....

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 07-04-2020).]

arbakken JUL 04, 08:40 PM
I bought a Cobalt, and it has an electric box installs between a regular rack and the steering wheel. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but might make for an easy setup. I think that's what WCF is doing
Neils88 JUL 05, 07:14 PM

quote
Originally posted by arbakken:

I bought a Cobalt, and it has an electric box installs between a regular rack and the steering wheel. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but might make for an easy setup. I think that's what WCF is doing



The Cobalt steering column is fairly easy to install. I installed one from a 2006 Cobalt. But you'll be hard pressed to find a controller for it. Eventually I'll get around to designing my own controller, but this isn't something the average person should attempt unless they have a strong electronics background.

I believe WCF uses the EPS from a Saturn Vue. A few places seem to sell a controller that works with it. That is probably the best way to go.

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...HTML/134807.html#p15
arbakken JUL 09, 03:03 PM
I did a bit of checking, the EPS has it's own torque sensor, and uses a VSS from the trans which is all easy. The tough part is the "calibration" files are stored on the BCM. It's possible that the BCM could be run standalone to provide the calibration data through the canbus... but maybe not.
Rickady88GT JUL 09, 04:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by cvxjet:

I believe the new Mustangs have a very good all electric rack- but you would have to be the first to mod one for a Fiero. I was looking at electric pumps and snagged an MR2 Spyder one off of Ebay.....But I have a number of other stuff to do first (And I have to use a C4 Vette rack because I have the battery up front (The F-body standard WCF setup won't clear the battery box)

If I was just cruising around I probably would never need power steering......But the Fiero racks are all very slow.....I don't think I would want the C4 2-turn rack (Too quick) but the 2.5 rack would seem to be the sweet spot.....Racing a Fiero (Especially cone-courses) you really need quicker steering.....and a quicker ratio with competitive wide racing tires is going to equal STIFF steering....So you need POWER steering....



2019 Mustang rack $199 on Ebay...The motor sticks out forward so it would not need much modification.....Might even clear my battery box....




Don't forget that the rack needs to be front steer. The rack is mounted in front of the wheel centerline. The rearsteer racks will not work,... unless you import a right hand drive rack and then flip it over to mount it.
Also, the closer the steering input shaft is to 90* the better. The Fiero is close to 90*. That Ford looks like it could be closer to 45*. But it is hard to tell in pictures.

[This message has been edited by Rickady88GT (edited 07-09-2020).]

pmbrunelle JUL 09, 06:09 PM

quote
Originally posted by Neils88:
Eventually I'll get around to designing my own controller, but this isn't something the average person should attempt unless they have a strong electronics background.



If you have questions, feel free to ask me; I know a thing or two about the design of EPS.

Often, the electronic hardware is good and does not need replacement. New firmware can be loaded into the microcontroller if a programming port can be accessed. With replacement firmware, we can make the EPS do what we wish.

My idea of a fun project would be a community-based GPLed firmware replacement for an off-the-shelf EPS.