Has anyone installed an electric power steering pump? I have heard that the Toyota MR2 Spyder electric pump is easily adapted to most power steering systems. Its a small unit that in the Toyota receives a signal from the ECU to provide variable pressure. Without the signal the output is adequate for most steering scenarios. In the Spyder the signal from the ECU is speed sensing so that at highway speeds the pump outputs very little pressure, outputting the most pressure at parking lot speeds. These Toyota pumps cost $22 at my local Pick N Pull but they disappear quickly. Typically these sell on Ebay for ten times as much.

If you could hack up a sensor that counts the MPH speed of the vehicle, then you could provide a signal that makes the MR2 pump go asleep at cruising speeds. A 555 timer might be part of the mod. The MR2 system works okay without any signal from the ECU, but it would be better with one.

I like this option as I can eliminate one drive belt. I usually don't use AC, even here in Texas. Most new vehicles use some type of electric steering. I think this older Toyota system is friendly to older Mopars, or a tractor conversion.

I was thinking that if you wanted AC, then you could mount the AC compressor down where the power steering pump normally is. That would allow more freedom for an intake EFI manifold with a forward mounted throttle body, if this group eventually sees one of those.

I am actually looking for an MR2 pump for a tractor power steering conversion. These pumps are popular for all sorts of modded vehicles, some just like to clean up the engine compartment.

Thanks for the info, Tim. This sounds like a good avenue for our cars in some cases. I guess it would draw something like 20-30 amps max (parking or low speed), so parts of the electrical system would have to be upgraded for that.

Best,

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

When I autocrossed with 1on1 Motorsports in Germany back a few years ago, one of the guys was really into Opels. He would drive in from the Netherlands each month to race.

He adapted an electric pump from a newer Opel into his older 70's model with great success.

I'll ask him about it when I see him again in about a month!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Cool. Thanks also, Rob. Happy trails!

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I am all for creative new ideas, but this seems like more trouble than it is worth. Any HP freed up by ditching the PS pump would be drawn down again by the increased load on the alternator. There is no such thing as free energy.

If you don;t want the clutter, switch to manual steering. If you want steering assist, stick with a PS pump. I just can't imagine an application using a slant six where this would be worth the effort.

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The purpose of the newest electric units is for fuel efficiency, but of course that is not why electric steering is used in the mid engine cars. If you can provide a speed sensing signal the MR2 units cut back the output of the pump and require very little electrictiy. Many new vehicles have some form of electric steering to save fuel.. A common type is coupled to the steering shaft and mounted under the dash connected directly to the steering wheel. The pumps in those don't actuate until you move the steering wheel. Those are adapted to four wheel drive and tractors but you need some room to mount it, in a underdash location where there is usually lots of stuff.

The Spyder system is easy to use as its divorced from the steering sector, but many of the new systems are integrated with the assist motor. The Spyder also has an electric hydroboost for brakes. The new Lexus electric system is critiicized for being "vague" but the Spyder pump shouldn't change the feel of the steering any more than the stock pump would do. The Spyder pump is $21 at my local Pick N Pull, but usually sell for ten times that on Ebay. Some have claimed a couple MPG improvement by using the electric pump but I doubt it makes that big of a difference.

You only need PS at low speeds, so instead of running a mechanical pump 100% of the time, you just pull electric power 1-10% of the time. Also, you do away with PS pump mounts and pulleys and an extra belt. This would seem to be a nice setup for something like my heavy turbo car using the new smaller/lighter Borgerson PS box (less room under the hood).

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I originally looked into electric steering for a tractor project as it can be easier to fabricate. My '40s flathead six Mopars could benefit too. The power steering for these L-head motors in the '50s had the pump mounted on the back of the generator. Fabricating a mount for a mechanical pump is okay too, but the electric pump is easier and looks stock.

There are several related technologies, with more methods being developed. The steer-by-wire can feel like a radio controlled robot, or it can have good tactile feedback. I only want to use the electric pump.

Some hot rod parts vendors supply kits for specific vehicles, but those are kind of spendy. I think the kits are based on OEM stuff that is similar to what you'd find in a salvage yard. There probably will eventually be a kit for an A-body. The integrated under dash unit is like having a set of gorilla arms that assists a manual steering system - there is nothing downstream where you would usually expect to see power steering components.

I'm mostly thinking of just using an electric pump for a tractor application, but here is the underdash integrated unit from a decade old Saturn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuShsA_cqNk

Wow, that integrated unit looks even easier and lighter and I could keep my nice manual box. I assume you can disable it and get the full road feel of the manual box, but I'm not sure.

Thanks!

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I found the thread where my friend retrofitted his older Opel with electric steering. Not a direct bolt in... But pretty cool!

If there is interest, I am willing to do some scrounging in Germany and send some units back for folks.

http://forum.fbodyeurope.org/phpBB3/vie ... =22&t=8481

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

I am very interested in all of this. Thanks, all.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

New Darts have electric power steering too.

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