I saw this the other day and thought it was interesting. Looks like they have units designed for the C1 and C2 corvette. Does anyone have the specs for those to compare to a Fiero column?
I don't know what I'm talking about, but I gotta believe at $2500, you could probably build something yourself. Whether you use a fully electric unit or a electrohydraulic unit I suppose would be up to you. If there's a traditional hydraulic unit that fits in the Fiero (doesn't WCF sell one?) you could run it with the Bosch EHPS pump from a Mini - that way you don't have to plumb power steering lines from engine bay to rack.
S2000s and RX8s also have self contained electric steering racks, but I don't remember if they are front or rear steer. Both are essentially traditional steering racks with electric drives powering the rack as opposed to solutions like Ford and Toyota are running right now with the power assist in the steering column... that seems decidedly harder to retrofit on a car.
I have an S2K rack sitting in the garage, but it's a bit too long to use. However, I might be able to cut a custom rack that fits the Fiero, and uses the S2K motor and electronics, if I can ever find the time.
The Malibu (and a bunch of other cars) use Delphi's E-Steer system. I think that Malibu was the first in North America to use it, but the system is several years older. E-Steer is interesting because it's designed - essentially - to be retrofitted to cars that have traditional steering designs. It sits between a conventional column and rack. I think mechanically speaking something like E-Steer would be the ideal way to assist a car like the Fiero but the problem in using it is two-fold - one, E-Steer requires input from other systems in order to know how much assist to offer, and two not replacing the entire rack would leave you with a terrible ratio - just wheels that are easier to turn. In my mind, the point of moving to power assist would be to get a bigger steering ratio without making the car impossible to turn.
Personally I think the best answer is probably EHPS. I don't think truly electric power steering systems have very good feel (although the RX8 is up there) and making all the electronics work safely could be a really stumbling block. Putting in a conventional hydraulic rack and then running it with an electric pump means a lot less black box stuff. EHPS is how the MR2 got its job done, FWIW. The Mini pump is pretty small, and being in a cool, clean environment would probably help it last longer than it does in the Mini's engine bay. It is capable of variable assist, but could also be wired at a fixed assist level to keep things simple. EHPS means power steering fluid and some loss of efficiency, but it's IMHO more reliable, cheaper, and offers better (or, maybe more traditional) feel.
I have an S2K rack sitting in the garage, but it's a bit too long to use. However, I might be able to cut a custom rack that fits the Fiero, and uses the S2K motor and electronics, if I can ever find the time.
A bit too long, like width-wise? Are the tie rods removable? Would it be possible to just fabricate some shorter tie rods to fix the issue? I think both the S2K and Fiero are front steer, yeah?
A bit too long, like width-wise? Are the tie rods removable? Would it be possible to just fabricate some shorter tie rods to fix the issue? I think both the S2K and Fiero are front steer, yeah?
Too long, without tie-rods.
As for electric power steering feeling, the power steering in my Cruze is all electronic, and feels just fine. If you didn't already know it wasn't hydraulic, you wouldn't be able to tell from just driving it, aside from the lack of the annoying whine the classic hydraulic pumps make when you turn the wheel all the way to one side. The Cruze power steering motor is part of the rack though, and not the column. I haven't really driven any cars with the electric assist on the column, so it might "feel" a bit different, due to the power being applied to the column, rather than the rack.
I really like the S2K rack's design, so I will be using it in my car, even if I have to machine an entirely new rack, and housing to fit the S2K motor to. The S2K rack also has a variable ratio, which is nice.
Wow, crazy that anything about the S2K would be too wide for anything. Really puts into perspective how small the Fiero is.
Every time I get back into my Solstice after driving the Fiero I reminded, though. Driving the Solstice is like driving a pickup truck in comparison. LOL!
Do you know where the assist is? In the rack versus in the steering shaft?
Not to thread hijack, but how do you like the car? I am seriously considering a Veloster Turbo, I just keep reading about how crashy the suspension is. I test drove an Elantra a while (since they're distantly related) and it wasn't the most refined ride. Maybe not enough to scare me away, though. Do you have a manual or an auto? Any problems so far?
EPS is not a new thing here. I have a buddy installing a Camaro rack with an electric pump from a Nissan (I think that's where it came from) in his 86 GT. He got the rack bracket from WCF and other stuff from E-Bay. I will see if he can post some pics/info for you.
I see the stock LS4 power steering pump in most of the engine pics, so I think they used that and a hydraulic (f-body?) rack, and ran the lines to the back of the car.
EPS is not a new thing here. I have a buddy installing a Camaro rack with an electric pump from a Nissan (I think that's where it came from) in his 86 GT. He got the rack bracket from WCF and other stuff from E-Bay. I will see if he can post some pics/info for you.
That'd be Electro-Hydraulic (EHPS) instead of pure electric. Yeah, it's been done plenty of times.
Indeed. EHPS is pretty well sorted at this point (in a broad automotive sense), and not complex. EPS has a bit more going on. That's why I'd personally be inclined to go electrohydraulic... KISS.
I see the stock LS4 power steering pump in most of the engine pics, so I think they used that and a hydraulic (f-body?) rack, and ran the lines to the back of the car.
Oh, gosh, you are right. Sorry for the misinformation.
I have been thinking about doing this in my Fiero for a month or so now...
My daily driver, a 2012 Chevy Sonic, has electric power steering so I was considering looking into what it would take to get it in my car. I don't know if the assist is in the shaft or the rack on the Sonics, but I am seriously considering it in the future.
Wcf has an electric set up on their website under power steering. http://www.westcoastfiero.c.../power_steering.html not sure how well it would work, but im looking into it as my current column is doing the typical sag.
Wcf has an electric set up on their website under power steering. http://www.westcoastfiero.c.../power_steering.html not sure how well it would work, but im looking into it as my current column is doing the typical sag.
The only problem with this kit, at least from my point of view, is that it is hydraulic.
If I were to install power steering it would be entirely electric.
Wcf has an electric set up on their website under power steering. http://www.westcoastfiero.c.../power_steering.html not sure how well it would work, but im looking into it as my current column is doing the typical sag.