Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) in P1800

[745T+]

One of our members, Volvero, made this power steering conversion in a 1970 1800E. I shipped the Electric Power Assist Steering parts to him in Santiago, Chile. The EPAS parts are hidden under the dash.

 

[CAPT_BLOTTO]

Wow! Is the EPAS from an existing vehicle or is this more like an aftermarket "universal" part?

 

[745T+]

Wow! Is the EPAS from an existing vehicle or is this more like an aftermarket "universal" part?

I deal in used EPAS units from Saturn Vues. Chevrolet Equinox, and Pontiac Torrent. They require an electronic adapter to send a simulated electronic speedometer signal to the EPAS unit. The level of assist is adjustable. The used units require adaption into the existing steering column. I sell cores to http://www.epowersteering.com/index.html. Ken makes really nice kits from the same basic EPAS units, but the cost is higher.

 

[volvero]

745T+ is the man, he sent everything I needed, the electric motor, column couplings, control unit, potentiometer, etc. The installation requires welding and creativity but the effort is really worth it.

 

[MDVLN]

That's pretty crafty boys, nice stuff.

 

[culberro]

EPAS is becoming a really popular swap in rally cars. Quick manual rack and EPAS is reasonable inexpensive for most cars.

 

[Kjets On a Plane]

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[Tfrasca]

That's really tidy. I agree with Kjets; the manual steering on my 140 is by far its worse feature. I thought I counted almost 4 turns last time I had the front in the air.

 

[hiperfauto]

4.15 for 140's actually. 1800's and 122's are 3?.

 

[Tfrasca]

4.15 for 140's actually. 1800's and 122's are 3?.

That makes sense. I'd love to address that at some point. This looks like a possible option.

Any idea what the current draw is on one of these?

 

[745T+]

That makes sense. I'd love to address that at some point. This looks like a possible option.

Any idea what the current draw is on one of these?

With the key on, and no steering effort, the electronics require fractions of an amp. This unit is usually fused at 50-60 amps, and the fuse never blows from steering use. The amps required will be dependent on load. The power to the motor needs to be connected directly to the battery. Under heavy load the battery supplies current if the alternator can't keep up. The motor draws current only under steering load. Under steering load, the motor is silent.

 

[Brandonium]

Definitely interested in something like this on my 142e as I will be running 235's. Did you install a dial or switch to adjust sensitivity? Would be nice to see pics of where the welding and required modifications are.

 

[Janspeed]

EPAS is becoming a really popular swap in rally cars. Quick manual rack and EPAS is reasonable inexpensive for most cars.

understandable.
a hydraulic setup robs power from the crank even when the car drives straight.
Also, stock hydraulic powersteering setups do not like sustained high revs, the hot oil tends to trap airbubbles. i have seen this happen on a 740 rally car. Hydraulic assisted racks also seem to resist really fast steering inputs.
yeah, you could instal an underdrive pulley and an oil cooler but having an EPAS seems to be the better solution.

 

[LloydDobler]

I'm not ready yet but I definitely want to do this in my 122.

 

[745T+]

Definitely interested in something like this on my 142e as I will be running 235's. Did you install a dial or switch to adjust sensitivity? Would be nice to see pics of where the welding and required modifications are.

A potentiometer is used to adjust the amount of assist. Most people set it and forget it, but you can adjust from full assist for parking, no zero assist at highway speeds.

 

[Harrison]

Electric Power Steering

I read that we can install Ford Focus 2012-2015 electric rack and pinion assembly on the Amazon.

Do any member know of such information. If true, it will be a major saving than using the ez power unit.

 

[mck1117]

I read that we can install Ford Focus 2012-2015 electric rack and pinion assembly on the Amazon.

Do any member know of such information. If true, it will be a major saving than using the ez power unit.

The focus is a rear-mount rack, behind the front wheels/subframe. This means that if you put it in front like on a Volvo, it will go the wrong way. Turning right on a Volvo rack makes the left tie rod shorter, and on the Focus rack it will make the left tie rod longer.

Edit: oops, the steering arms are behind the axle on the Amazon/1800. The above only applies to 2/7/9 which have the rack in front.

 

[VB242]

The guy with the super nice 240Z at autocross put the Saturn/torrent one with the kit on his car. Said he has it set at 1/4 and it's plenty of assist.

 

[Cwazywazy]

How's the steering feel though? My only experience with EPAS is in a RAV4, and it sucks.

 

[89_740Turbo]

Well, this is probably one of the niftiest things I have seen. A++ for creativity and implementation!

Imagine all of the p1800 owners out there who have no idea this exists