Power steering for Mk3/4 Escorts, anybody interested?
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Power steering for Mk3/4 Escorts, anybody interested?
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
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
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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
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
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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
Martin
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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
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
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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
Martin
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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.
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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
Cheers,
Martin
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Originally Posted by 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
Cheers,
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...
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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
Cheers,
Martin
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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
Martin
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Originally Posted by NUTS RuS
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
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
The RWD could be interesting!
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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
Comments please!
Martin
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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
just a thought
Scott
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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
Still looking at this one..
Martin
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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
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