electric power steering

I recall some discussion at varying times on power steering, most recent was on EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering) as used on race cars and now many modern street cars, which should be a much simpler and cleaner install.

Julian

EZ Electric Power Steering in Holland has an EPAS system designed specifically for the Pantera.

http://www.ezpowersteering.nl/...age/158/17/Home.html

The entire unit is installed in the upper column so your OEM steering rack remains unaffected. The EZ system is speed sensitive, so as speed increases the amount of assist decreases. If you have a pre-GT5S, EZ supplies you with a new upper column but if you have a factory GT5S, you'll probably have to send them your upper column for conversion (which only takes about a week).

I installed one from EZ. So far only done static testing as other work remain to be done before car is back on the road. It work perfect and it is almost silent. It took however a bit of effort to fit it. The original Column has 4 Bolts from underneath whereas the EZ needs 2 of those from the side. Some Sheet metal around Steering Column needs to be cut away and a Hole on each side needs to be drilled for the new Bolts. The Speedsensor goes on the Speedo Cable by the Transaxle. The Powersteering came complete with safety Column and universal joint. I had my Dash out anyway when I did the installation and I believe it would be pretty difficult otherwise. The trick is that the Powersteering is only active at lower speeds and is gradually decreasing the power assist as speed increases.

Photo

Photo 2

That looks like a great system.

How much does it cost?

Unfortunately that is the catch! 2000-EUROs somewhere around 2400-USD. It does however not require anything else than the Column that comes in the kit and once the under-Dash Sheet Metal/ Console has been modified it is plug and play. No hassle with hydraulic pump and lines. And the Steering Racket remains the original. It is costly, but my experience tells me that if I were to build a kit with parts i.e. getting an other Steering Rack and setting up some kind of Hydraulic pump wether on a Belt or electric. No matter what I would probably run into a few Challenges along the way and on top of that it would be much more time consuming. I choose this option based on that. Beside that it is 100% maintenance free.

Why does this car need power steering at all? Installing it is just an academic exercise isn't it?

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Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Why does this car need power steering at all? Installing it is just an academic exercise isn't it?

for getting grocerys every day

quote:

Originally posted by Belgiumbarry:

quote:

Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Why does this car need power steering at all? Installing it is just an academic exercise isn't it?

for getting grocerys every day

Considering the quantity of groceries we consume here, I take a larger vehicle.

Fitting the Power steering is I suppose just another modification (improvement) alongside other (popular) modifications of our Panteras. It is also apparently a subject that appeals to quite a few owners. I did the mod perhaps because I am basically a character that enjoys comfort and the mod does NOT take away the important "road feeling" of the Pantera as it is completely neutral once a speed of approximately 40-50 Km/h is reached. (I believe the factory is supporting if a customer wants to alter that setting). Now I can turn the Steering wheel with the Palm of my (one) hand whilst parking and/or making sharp turn at static or walking pace without much effort. I will not use my Pantera on a Track anyway but merely as a cruiser for Sunday rides (on all weekdays ;-) ) and I dont have the self control required to ultimately avoid crashing it if I ever choose to take it to a Track. I could not bare to see that happen after the over 1000h I already invested in the restoring of #6174. I agree that typical 70´s Power steerings are dangerously sensitive at high speed but this one is significantly different. An other feature of the Device is that is has a built in Capacitor that supply backup power in case of intermittent loss of electrical power supply.

Besides goodrock's photos, the Great Lakes Pantera Chapter of POCA literally installed the EZ system in a member's car out on the grass during the 2-day event they put on in the Summer of '13. All the photos and installation notes are on their website as pdfs. The installation was so successful, they took orders for 3 more assemblies to qualify for a Group Buy, saving a few bucks.

As for the worth of power steering, that's an individual thing. My 2600lb MR2 turbo came stock with electro-hydraulic power steering, which is in great demand by dirt track racers. Most real-racers now run some sort of power assist steering. My daughter-in-law (Go-Nanci Haney) added 17" wheels & big tires to her Pantera, then found she couldn't park the car or drive at low speeds without straining. Nanci weighs 98 lbs on a good day... Her PS allows her to enjoy the car at low speeds and at track events.

Steering effort at slow speed is quite high on wide body cars with 10 inch front wheels and 285/40 ZR 15 tires. Power steering will help with running errands and grocery shopping

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Originally posted by PANTERASHAH:
Steering effort at slow speed is quite high on wide body cars with 10 inch front wheels and 285/40 ZR 15 tires. Power steering will help with running errands and grocery shopping

You guys all must not eat much?

Hi guys, I found some cheaper systems in uk for the Escort mk1 ... does somebody have experience with them ?

SACC make a brilliant Electric power steer system

I fitted it to my Euro GTS car, and its so much better to drive.

Not hard to fit, its made for the Job.

Around $1500.

No connection with the maker, just a satisfied customer

quote:

SACC make a brilliant Electric power steer system

I fitted it to my Euro GTS car, and its so much better to drive.

Not hard to fit, its made for the Job.

Around $1500.

Scott's products are first rate! Elsewhere on this forum he posted his driving impressions with the system from his own car.
http://www.saccrestorations.ne...-power-steering-kit/

quote:

Elsewhere on this forum he posted his driving impressions with the system from his own car.

Here's the thread...
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...044/m/5991078956/p/3

quote:

Originally posted by PanteraDoug:

quote:

Originally posted by Belgiumbarry:

quote:

Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Why does this car need power steering at all? Installing it is just an academic exercise isn't it?

for getting grocerys every day

Considering the quantity of groceries we consume here, I take a larger vehicle.

Doug that’s why he has to go everyday!

Peter, the mid-80s Escort steering rack is similar to the Cam Gears Pantera rack, and has the advantage of coming in three different steering ratios. But it is not a bolt-in to any Pantera. One owner in Finland added a fast-ratio Escort rack to his street car and says it works fine as a manual rack. But he likely does not race with gumball tires, either, so if you do this, I suggest using some sort of steering power booster. Or begin weight training....