MEF

I was wondering if any of you would like power steering on your Mk3/4 cars?

I was looking into the possibility of adopting the electric column off the Corsa C. This system is used very sucessfully on Mk2 Escort rally cars by several firms now, I cant see why it cant also be used on Mk3/4's too.

The beauty of this system is that you don't need a power steering rack at all, it all works on the steering column. My wife has one of these Corsas and when we first got it I couldn't see how the power steering worked, no engine pump, no electric pump, no fluid reservoir! Then I found out it was the electric type on the column! It works so well, I can see why they've used it on the Mk2's!

Must be worth a try, I'm trying to gather info at present, any input from anyone who knows anything about it would be welcome, I'm sure there must be loads of you who'd like to have the benefit of it?

Thanks,
Martin

AJC

iTrader: (6)

would be good, but how much would something like that be?

Drjones

that sounds areally good idea. Keep us updated

MEF

OK, Thanks for the interest:

Well I dont know yet how much it would cost as I don't know how difficult it would be to adapt it to a Mk3/4 column. I do know that on the Mk2's, Quicks Motorsport charge about Ł800 but that includes all the work, supplying the stuff and an aftermarket ecu that has selectable settings for "feel/sensitivity/weighting" although I'm not exactly sure of those details. I'm sure that it could be done for considerably less, it depends upon how much the Corsa C kit costs off a breaker in the first place (along with the standard ECU & loom that controls it), I will try and find out!

Martin

DazC

iTrader: (1)

You already know I am interested in this!

MEF

OK, the more interest that there is, the more likely I am to look into the feasability!

Martin

Rick

Defo. As i use the car every day. Could put 225's on the front then

Lee Reynolds

yes would be intrested

MEF

OK, I posted the same question on the British rally technical forum, the first reply sent me to look here: http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=160158 There's a good thread there on Migweb which explains a lot, worth reading it all first, sounds pretty good, they obviously have it well sorted!

Martin

Gaaables

intrested

wizard

yep defo interested. if you can do it , and do it well you could be on to a winner.

nthorpey

Is it the same kit as this ? http://www.wiringlooms.co.uk/electronic_steering.html

MEF

I recon it's the very same unit!

I'll ring them on Monday and get more info & prices

Martin

nigel b

im interested

bassboy

am interested

bassboy

Paddy rst

am interested 2..

MEF

OK lads,

More and more info coming through from various sources, on here and other forums too, and obviously lost of interest from you lot! I will just have to talk my guinea pig (NutRus) into doing a bit of development work on his rally car! (he's getting much older now and often asks me about the possibility of me fitting PS for him, I think trhe strain is getting to him)

Martin

Lee Reynolds

cool mate keep us informed

MEF

OK, I made some progress today, I have a complete Corsa electric steering column on it's way to me! Also found out about the ECU mods etc.

Martin

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Oh the strain....

Can I cancel my Gym membership now then

See you later for a beer - and watch out im bringing Danny with me

Also need a Mk3 front end set-up doing for a rather tidy Mk4 soon

your round at the bar I believe

JesseT

I removed the dash today from my mk3 and I tried to picture the PAS in my mind to fit there. The only way it can fit (LHD) is with the motor pointing to the left. I wonder if it's the opposite with RHD RSTs and would the conversion fit a LHD car.

MEF

Well you're a step ahead of me at present! The Corsa electric column will be here tomorrow but I dont think I will be able to offer it up in a car until maybe the weekend! I'm going to have to buy a Mk3 I think to use as a basis for development, it's difficult relying on customers cars, I need something here to play on! I'll look on e-bay!

Cheers,

Martin

sjoyce666

im sure someone would come forward as a guinea pig !!

Lee Reynolds

ID be the guinea pig if ya lived closer m8 as mines off road at mo for underside resto

DazC

iTrader: (1)

Martin,

Series1ajc off here has a mk3 Escort that might be available soon but I don't know how soon. He is currently having an engine built for his series 1 but needs his other mk 3 until that is completed....

I have just scrapped my old Orion as well which would have been ideal as a development mule...

MEF

OK Daz, thanks for that, meanwhile I'll get to work on a prototype although I really need a bulkhead to get the bolt centres etc, might have to use Tony's!

Cheers,

Martin

DazC

iTrader: (1)

Just cut Tony's bulkhead out and sit it in your garage. I'm sure he wouldn't mind!

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Its sat under a nice warm heater at the moment You know where it is. The keys are under the plant pot... lol

turbocabs

i was all ways told the mk5 power steering goes on mk4 seen it thay done cvh with power steering

EssexBoyRacer

I was well intersted in this when I has the turbo. One thing that always bugged me about my RST.

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Martin's got the P S unit in the workshop now and he is looking at making up a small box of tricks to get it to work. It needs a few different input signals to drive the ECU apparently (it has one of its own).

Looks interesting tho'

MEF

Yes and I now also have a nice Mk4 Escort 1300cc BONUS to use as a development hack! I will now be able to investigate the feasability of fitting the power steering and design the bias brake unit, also looking at the possibility of fitting the RS1600i or S1 RST front crossmember on a Mk4 car, and modifying the gearbox cradle to suit. Watch this space!

Martin

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

This is going to be the most heavily modded 1.3 BONUS 90 in the country I fear

Hit the first snag last night when we couldn't get the petrol cap off

Just had another thought...... convert it to RWD and sell it to Lewis as he's after one

DazC

iTrader: (1)

Tripped at the first hurdle!!

The RWD could be interesting!

MEF

Daz,

see your e-mail re S1 measurements I need!

thanks,

Martin

MEF

Looking at this electric steering colum, the first thing I notice that might be a stumbling block is the metrhod of re-mounting your indicator controls etc, also the bonnet pull catch and the steering lock, all might be lost with such a conversion. I can see that for an out and out track car this might be acceptable but mybe not for an everyday driver.

Comments please!

Martin

sjoyce666

they can be relocated surely, not every car has the bonnet release on the steering column so ways around that, indicator controls would not be ideal for a road car but probably ok for track. is there anyway of mounting the corsa controls and linking them to the existing wiring for indicators and lights ?

just a thought

Scott

MEF

True, but many would not want to spoil their nice original road cars... for track cars it's not a problem. I also see that it would be necessary, especially on the Mk4 type Escort, to cut away the lower dashboard around the steering column area to make room for the electric motor.

Still looking at this one..

Martin

sjoyce666

what about the mobility models that came with power steering, is there anything that can be done using parts from those or are those parts not redily avaialable anymore ?

Also there was a post in the members gallery, i think, that had had power steering fitted. Not sure how that was done tho

Scott

DazC

iTrader: (1)

You have a return e-mail Martin.