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Hello Jimmy,

I know of two kits that are being marketed for installation in Pantera's.

EZSteer from Europe and what I assume you have purchased, the EPAS unit.

The only installation of the EPAS unit that I know of was done by SCOTT BELL of SACC restorations. He posts often on this forum. He has a advertising banner at the top of the page.

He also found the installation process to be in need of improvement and in fact is working with the seller to perfect their Pantera kit.

I have exchanged emails with Scott and he expects to have a revised and improved Pantera kit ready for market hopefully later in February.

I suggest you reach out to him for questions on installing the early not ready for primetime kit you currently have.

Larry
quote:
Anyone ever tried this??

David,

I .....think..... the Saturn Vue/Chevy Equinox unit sourced for the YouTube conversion is the same unit used by EPAS (Florida). I've studied the photos and talked to Gerry Romack who has done several of the EZSteer (Netherlands) conversions but still do not know their source car for their conversion, but they say their kits use NSK and Toyo. The Saturn unit is Toyo.

If the Saturn steering shaft can be mounted to match the Pantera's cabin length, I'm sure the lower connection could be figured out. It is doubtful the Saturn shaft diameter and spline count matches our Pantera (which is ford Capri), but since most of us are using an aftermarket wheel, a proper adapter hub for a Saturn could probably work just fine for most of us.

The Great Lakes Pantera chapter website has a pictorial and some text on one of the conversions that Gerry did.

http://www.greatlakespantera.c...20the%20Pantera1.pdf

Searching Google and YouTube turns up many links on these conversions. While keeping in mind that this is a steering system, it does appear to be within the range of hobbyists with the proper knowledge, patience and tools.

Larry
This seems to be a hot topic of late and the market is widening just as rapidly.

I am starting to look around for a different application, a 280Z that I am flaring and widening.

I first came across the EPAS on a race car and that unit was very compact, with a simple knob for effort increase/reduction. If space is limited the race units may be a way to go and could possibly be mounted under the front hood in place of the short intermediate shaft on the rack.

Although as 2 (almost drop in) Pantera units are available, albeit at cost I'm more interested to hear what pick 'n' pull solutions people are coming up with and more photo's of Doug's experience are welcome. I might see how much I can pick up a Fiesta unit to play with.

Julian
Honestly, of all the mods we do to our cars, I can't really see the big advantage in this one.

Having a proper suspension and steering setup is absolutely necessary. Being able to take your hands off the wheel at speed without worrying about it getting darty is a requirement. But power steering never made it on a 'to do' list for any of my cats.

These aren't daily drivers, so you're not constantly cranking full lock getting in and out of parking spots. And at speed - even very low speed - I like the unassisted feel of Pantera steering. Whether on my original 8" 15s or 10" 17s, even on my latest car with 245/35/19s I never found the need for power steering. And I'm an OLD guy.

What am I missing? Why is it so popular and why do so many people tell me I will love it?
It's my understanding the unit EZ uses in the Pantera kit is from a Japanese market Nissan. EZ makes EPAS conversions for over 100 different makes/models of cars. They use new EPAS motors made by Koyo and NSK. They modify the firmware code in these units to suit each application. They say that's more difficult and time consuming than the physical installation. Their goal is for each installation to appear and feel like it came from the factory that way. They considered a few different EPAS motors before they settled on the one that's in the Pantera kit. Their Pantera kit is now TÜV approved so even Roland Jackael (DeTomaso Germany) has one in his own Pantera. Another Pantera vendor who's installed a few EZ kits is Don Byars. In fact, his Facebook site has at least one video of him driving an EZ equipped Pantera.

Further to Julian's comments, DC Electronics in the UK makes the most compact EPAS kit that I've come across. That unit is called the "Lightweight Assembly" and is fully user programmable. The software uses a 3D map (like a fuel injection ECU) that varies assist based on speed and load.

http://www.ultimatepowersteeri...sted-steering-epas-1

Another route to EPAS, that no one has mentioned here, is to use an EPAS steering rack. Bill Taylor, who made the wiring diagrams we all rely on (on the Pantera Place web site), has a Honda S2000 EPAS steering rack in his Pantera. If I were doing it all over again, I'd be picking Bill's brain! Then I could use Jon Haas' non-EPAS C6 'vette steering column conversion too.  
I very much see the advantages of power steering. Big tires make an obvious need for it. Getting around in any lot or small area is defiantly a benefit when slow, but there is much benefit at speed.

Caster was limited in a stock Pantera and cars without power steering. When power steering got better cars started dumping a lot more caster into cars.

When you fly an airplane you have a trim wheel. The trim wheel takes the pressure off the flight controls so you can be smooth. An example would be stick you arm straight out with a 5lb weight and try to paint with a paint brush. Remove the weight and see if you can paint smoother. It has nothing to do with if you are man enough to paint while holding a 5lb weight, it's about the quality of the paint job.

Problem with many power steering conversions is the great amount of details from feedback to rack changes and issues are not dealt with and people hate the conversion. It does not make it a bad idea, just a bad conversion.

I am using an electric pump with a hydraulic rack. I am quite happy with the result but would wish what I went through to get there on no one. My pump is mounted under the front trunk where people drop their batteries into. The rack was modified in a very lengthy process to eliminate bump steer.

Anybody that doubts the benefit of Power Steering in a Pantera has not driven a Pantera with Power Steering.

I also didn't think I needed it until I installed a PS unit in my car. It transforms the driving experience. Just moving around from the garage to the driveway is fun.

I then took my car out onto the race track. I also thought I needed speed sensitive Power Steering. Guess what, I set the knob to the power lever I liked and never touched it again. No need to change the boost level for each part of the track. Set it once and forget it. Just like the guy on the video said.

The unit from EPAS in Florida is compact and looks almost identical to the Netherlands unit. The beauty of these units is there is not much that needs to be cut under the dash. And, anything that gets cut doesn't preclude you from being able to reinstall the original column.
quote:
Originally posted by David_Nunn:
Further to Julian's comments, DC Electronics in the UK makes the most compact EPAS kit that I've come across. That unit is called the "Lightweight Assembly" and is fully user programmable. The software uses a 3D map (like a fuel injection ECU) that varies assist based on speed and load.

http://www.ultimatepowersteeri...sted-steering-epas-1

Another route to EPAS, that no one has mentioned here, is to use an EPAS steering rack.

David,

Great minds...... I looked at DC Electronics web page and thought about posting a link, but then thought well if anyone is spending that money they will probably opt for one of the 2 tried and tested units.

Here's their direct link, it seems a bit of a surreptitious route from the UK to Australia to the US!

http://www.dcelectronics.co.uk/Products/EPAS/

Julian
quote:
Post some pics. What have you got?


I guess you're not paying attention. Cool I have the EPAS unit from the company in Florida. I am working with them to make the unit more user friendly for Pantera owners. Their unit is available today via Jegs, SACC and other venders but unless you are able to do some fabrication work, the installation may be a challenge. I am working to correct those issues so the install is simple and easy.

Someone like you, or many of the other folks on this forum with mechanical skills, could purchase this unit today and get it installed without much issue.

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