So has anyone thought about Electronic Power Steering?

[Steve P.]

I haven't seen much about it over the last few years, though I thought I would. Several auto makers are now using electric power assist units and electric power steering racks in their vehicles. I see now that Ford and GM are using these racks in their 1/2 ton trucks. Maybe others too.

Youtube has many video's on the subject and one that a guy is installing a complete unit into a 68' Mustang. These assist units go in place of part of your under dash column. Some have speed sensing that is a unionized pigtail that plugs into your present speedo and your speedo cable plugs into it. Others use a device bought on Ebag from a guy in Portugal, (I think), for about $65.00 ..

From what I have found many are heading to the PICK N PULL for 02' - 07' Saturn Vue steering units for some say, $45.00 and then buying the controler off egag. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saturn-Vue-Ion-Chevrolet-Equinox-Electric-power-steering-controller-box-EPAS-/171027023129?hash=item27d2014519&vxp=mtr

Corporate says going to electric power steering can save up to 4% on fuel by not dragging the motor down with a hydraulic pump. I'm thinking that could be very true, especially for our older cars that drive those pumps by a V-Belt.

For me, I like the idea. Not only to have power steering, but getting rid of a lot of weight and BS under the hood.. I don't know how much a power box weighs or a non-power box, but I know the difference is huge... Even better if you are doing a forward steer K-member with a Rack -n- Pinion...

So what are your thoughts??

[Steve P.]

Here's a link to Ford's F-150 Electric R&P.    http://articles.sae.org/8912/

Here's a link to a Youtube vid. using an aftermarket set up..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqPDT5umems

[polywideblock]

this would simplify r/h conversion ( simply put controller on r/h side leave steering l/h drive ) in country's so disposed mine included 

[Steve P.]

Poly, this isn't DRIVE BY WIRE... It is a power unit that turns either a NON power R&P or non power factory box into power steering... It is available for right hand steering though!! 

[myk]

Sounds like a great idea to me.  Has anyone here done something similar?

[polywideblock]

 

[JB400]

It might be a good idea, but the problem is you put in a lumpy cam, so you can't run a vacuum boosted power brakes, so you put in a hydro boost system.  You could run an electric vacuum pump to eliminate the hydroboost, but that in combination with the electric steering would put more draw on the alternator.  Therefore, you upgrade the alternator to handle the extra electrical draw, thus reducing your fuel economy.

What was the point of installing electric steering again?

[myk]

Maybe the draw on the engine from the alternator wouldn't be as much as a belt driven component?

[Steve P.]

Many who are running big cams are not running power brakes. For those who do they can use something like this: http://www.jegs.com/i/Right+Stuff/965/EVP01/10002/-1?CAWELAID=230006180001022848&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=230006180000850415&cadevice=c&gclid=CjwKEAiAi52mBRDkq5bX0vq1-RQSJAAq_7IG8B4n3rhhPfHlSxRV8tbfSrJe97SfplbzwIU4o_5_7RoCWJrw_wcB

Along with this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-5200?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKEAiAi52mBRDkq5bX0vq1-RQSJAAq_7IGKELjl9oA238jDAAQ_TODRSnMThfI-wwsHEr6ppCPZRoCxBXw_wcB

Or this: http://www.carid.com/1999-ford-f-550-air-intake-parts/dorman-vacuum-pump-25582717.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAi52mBRDkq5bX0vq1-RQSJAAq_7IGlJnUhVDR9MaWsqkM6g9_wqUEsOMr6HTWKj728pnS2xoCXinw_wcB

Personally I don't like hyrdoboost as it is more running off the pump and more hoses and fluids and the unit takes a lot of space.... Making the car lite and clean is what I am after..

[Steve P.]

The amp draw is a good question. I saw that one system said 40 amp relay and another that said it was all run on (1) 10 amp fuse. Said the system only drew 7 amps... If it is 40 like the one video said, that is a ton and I'm thinking not worth it, but if the big 3 and many others are going to this system for gas mileage I have to think the guy that said 40 amps has to be wrong.

[myk]

The amp draw is a good question. I saw that one system said 40 amp relay and another that said it was all run on (1) 10 amp fuse. Said the system only drew 7 amps... If it is 40 like the one video said, that is a ton and I'm thinking not worth it, but if the big 3 and many others are going to this system for gas mileage I have to think the guy that said 40 amps has to be wrong.

I agree.  If this system has gone mainstream there has to be some technological benefit from it...

[JB400]

I think it is more of a space and manufacturing time issue.  Cars are getting smaller and smaller in attempts to get lighter and more efficient.  If you can reduce the amount of accessories hanging off the sides, the smaller you can make that engine compartment.

As far as time, it takes less time to plug in  a motor than it does to hook up 2 hoses.
  The motors probably only hold on with 2 or 3 screws, compared to the 3 or 4 bolts that hold the pump on plus the belts.

[twodko]

Already used in Dodge Ram trucks.

[Mike DC]

            
The power consumption of electric steering isn't exactly going to be a steady fixed rate.  It might draw an average of 7 amps, with brief spikes of up to 40 amps on a hard turn of the wheel at a dead stop.


Modern cars don't have our old heavy scrub radius in the front wheel geometry.  We might need to borrow setups from a heavier item like a truck in order to get the necessary assist levels.  

[Troy]

I think it's an awesome idea. I have it in my daily driver. The biggest advantage (that I see any way) to electric assist is that it only works when necessary (ie slow speed). At highway speeds you're practically using full manual. This doesn't work in old cars unless you figure out how to hook up the speed inputs.

Troy

[Cooter]

I've worked vehicles with drive by wire throttles. A couple had rear damage.
can't wait till electric (trick sh*t) steering begins to fail, throwing your car into a non controllable right turn when you wanted left....

Other than that, it's a lot heavier steering column, and those with club feet might hafta make provisions with 4speeds...

[Mike DC]

can't wait till electric (trick sh*t) steering begins to fail, throwing your car into a non controllable right turn when you wanted left....

Don't worry.  I'm sure they can give us reasons why it can't ever happen. 

Hey, it's electronic, remember?  Factory EFI is incapable of ever running roughly just by design.  And drive-by-wire throttles can't inexplicably mash themselves wide open.  Etc. 

[Stretch]

GM is doing it. Has been for a few years.

[Kern Dog]

I dont see the benefit of it for older cars. The P/S pump costs so little in terms of power when you're pushing 400+ HP. The late model cars have the advantage here. The new 2015 Challenger has electric steering that is adjustable in terms of assist. The computer contols the system by way of the touch screen.