Electric Power Steering Pump

A couple of questions. Coming close to having my power steering planned out and ready to start this spring when my brain power (read son-in-law) is ready. We are planning on using an electric power steer pump because of #1 power rob on the 4 cylinder, and #2 it will be easier to mount than making a bracket for a belt driven pump, which is the main reason. I am looking at a Volvo electric pump. They are readily available and according to what I have researched simple to wire. BUT, they are powering rack and pinion on a Volvo so does anyone know if it would work on a Saginaw style steering box.

Thanks

 

Can you find pressure and flow numbers for each application ?

 

Check out how the Volvo pump is controlled. It may be a lot more complex than replacing a belt driven pump for an electric version.
I have an '03 Mini Cooper with electic power steering, and it is controlled by a computer. The pump motor only runs when needed, based on steering inputs.
I also have electric power steering on my Subaru powered VW Vanagon. I used the native electric power steering from the Subaru engine, and its quite complex. Beside the relays to run the pump, it too has a stand-alone computer to control the steering pump, and this is from 1988. I had to graft in a light beam/chopper wheel sensor into the VW steering column from the Subaru to control the pump, as well as a speed sensor in the back of my VW speedometer.
I suspect there is a lot more than just swapping pumps, so do your homework!
-Donny

 

I’m running a traditional belt-driven pump on my project that’s from a rack & pinion car. It’s powering a Saginaw 800 series box, and with the limited testing I’ve been able to do with it, I’ve been a bit underwhelmed by its performance so far. The research I’ve done on it shows that R&Ps require less volume and pressure than traditional boxes. I’m going to try a smaller pulley to speed up the pump before I totally give up on it.

As was stated, you might want to find some actual output numbers before you devote too much time and money towards it.

Good luck! It’s an interesting route for sure.

 

Wow. Thats cool and complex.

 

guess next time I am at junk yard . just might stroll over to the import side
now only if I remember to look

 

That’s where all the good stuff is.

 

I wonder if there is an actual power savings. What is the electrical load that the electric power steering produces? How many amps does it draw? That load will be felt by the engine. Is it less than the mechanical pump?

 

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Read this before giving up on a belt driven pump:

GM Power-Steering Secrets - Car Craft Magazine - Hot Rod

The newer type 2 pumps have much less parasitic draw than the old type 1 pumps. That being said, I have a type 1 on my F-head and never noticed a draw. The power steering is worth more than a few saved HP.

 

I second the Toyota pump, I've heard of the best results with those. I used to work on Honda's a bit (don't laugh) and some people I knew did the electric conversion. Those Civic guys will do anything to free up a few HP haha. The only people who were happy with the conversion used the Toyota pump or some other kind of variable pressure self adjusting pump, others wired in switches to toggle their power steering when they desired, in my mind a poor solution because more or less assist will be needed in different situations. Other such as myself ran a manual rack and dealt with it