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Reply to "Seeking information concerning installation of EPAS electronic power steering in a Pantera."

quote:
Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
quote:
Originally posted by David_Nunn:
For people who are determined to put together their own EPAS columns, whether it be to save a few hundred dollars or simply for the challenge and/or satisfaction; the Opel Corsa B&C units seem to be popular with the kit car crowd, including the GT40 kit crowd. These units are VERY compact, so they would be easy to adapt to the Pantera's column. Since they are so popular, there's lots of info available on wiring, adaptation and modifications (eg. speed sensitivity). You'll never find one on this side of the pond but they are readily available in the UK and Europe. In fact, there are vendors that sell used ones that have been checked-out and are guaranteed to be fully operational. These same vendors sell installation parts, control boxes, etc. Here's one such vendor:

http://www.rallywiz.com/Shop/p...ing-column-kits.html

If you want to build your own, this is an easy way to go.



With all due respect, don't bother with that unit. The assembly length is WAY to long. You will have to cut a hole through the floor and you will need to change the rack.

It's motor orientation is exactly the opposite of what you can use in a Pantera.

Essentially that is for a right hand drive car and a much larger front cabin.

Hi PanteraDoug.
Do you know what year of Fiat Punto?

Kjeld Pedersen
Denmark.

If you are in Europe you want the Fiat Punto. If you are in the US you want the Ford Fiesta unit. They are almost the same and you will not find a more compact unit.

The REASON I dropped the pursuit of the Fiat part was that the Fiesta unit is for all intents and purposes the same part.



The Honda EPS rack is the only thing that even comes close to fitting. It certainly won't if you have a dropped battery box. The motor is going to need to occupy that space.

It could be put in a lathe to cut the Pantera bracket mounting surfaces BUT the hub connection into the cabin is not going to work. That part of the assembly is WAY to long and will block the pedals.



Caution should prevail on "kits" that originate as universal. The Dutch kit comes the closest to a Pantera specific kit.

Anything where you need to fabricate, is not as specific as the seller says it is.

You actually have to have a Pantera on the premises to specifically fit it to the car.



The top of the "kit" effects everything that you see sitting in the seat.

Fitting the ignition key mechanism and the steering wheel from the Pantera and maintaining an original look is not impossible but can be a challenge.

The best way to do that is with keeping the original column and getting another to work with.

That side of the EPS unit you are working with is also very important. The GM Vue (and spin off vehicles) does not work there either.



The original Pantera steering column was sourced from a Mercury Capri. Even that needed to be shortened to fit the Pantera.

So far there is no 100% comprehensive "bolt in kit".

The question is, can I get a better fit myself? Maybe? Bottom line, if all you can do is just turn a screwdriver or a wrench, stay away from this modification.



This likely is a bigger project then anyone expects for all but a few.
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