New Power Steering System

Photo #2

Hhmmm, electrical power steering for a Pantera? Isn't that the answer to a question never asked? Just my $0.02

Life is strange, Mikael. Pantera owners add wide tires to the front end along with more than stock caster, then are surprised to find the car steers heavier at low speeds than their power-steering-boosted Toyota Forerunner.... Maybe 10% of them have physical problems that require a li'l boost at parking lot speeds.
There are 3 types of power steering: hydraulic (any big U.S. sled from the '50s-on), electro-hydraulic (Toyota MR-2 '92-95) and full-electric (Saturn, etc). All have large adaption problems/costs and add much weight. I have a good friend with a Bugeye Sprite who swapped in a 426 Hemi, then tried to adapt Saturn full-electric power steering since the front wt increased radically. Trouble is, modern passenger car steering is variable-boost and is fully integrated into the main ECU and electric speedometer....both missing from a '70s Pantera (or a '60s Bugeye).
There are other aftermarket full-electric systems available (one from England) but at $2500 & up, I think a course of personal exercise and upper body-building might be better for most of us. Or simply avoiding driving slow!

quote:

Or simply avoiding driving slow!

That's the solution!

Actually the system is working really well. We have put it an a Ferr-gtphut-y Daytona competitione and it is a big succes. When driving slow you can steer with two fingers, but on speed it just turns off. It is fully adjustable to what ever assist till what speed you want. It is easy to install as well. If you try,you will ask yourself how did you ever parked before.......
But to be honest, I will not install it in my Racing Pantera, I opt for the sore arms at the end of the day. It is part of the live with a Pantera.......

I should have clarified; the car with the electric power steering isn't my Pantera. I was sent a bunch of photos by the company that makes the system and I decided to pass the info on to the forum. The company has an excellent reputation for producing a top-notch product. I'm aware of one Countach owner who only drove his car a few times a year because driving it was such an ordeal. After having the electric P/S installed, it became his daily driver. EZ Electric thinks one of their biggest Pantera markets will be wide body cars. The owners can now set-up the front suspension with 6 or 7 degrees of caster and still be able to turn the steering wheel! Like Dago reported, you only get as much assist as you want.

My concern with the system is also with the u-joint that's welded to the lower section of the column. I understand that the electric power steering unit has a different splined coupling than the DeTomaso splined coupling, but why not simply use a new u-joint with the DeTomaso spline on one side and the P/S unit's spline on the other side? I believe this question has already been put to EZ Electric. I'll report back when I hear their response.

I think this system will work, has its own ECU and is under a grand US.
Power Steering

I always like to see new products being developed for our cars. Especially ones that can help us stay in our Panteras longer as we inevitably get older. This product wont be for everyone but for some it will be just the ticket.

OSOFAST,
The system you mention may be nearly half the price of the EZ Electric system; however, the EZ Electric system has user adjustable assist and user adjustable speed sensitivity. Also, the price of the EZ Electric system is for the system installed in your column. You ship the upper section of your steering column to EZ Electric and they send it back to you with the power steering mechanism installed. All you need to do is connect power and ground, connect the speed sensor to your ZF and the assist adjust knob wherever you'd like to put it.

Here's a link to a YouTube video that describes the same EZ Electric system on an early 'Vette:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnIxjjSnDo8

The company mentioned in the video, American Powertrain, is an EZ Electric distributor.

quote:

I always like to see new products being developed for our cars. Especially ones that can help us stay in our Panteras longer as we inevitably get older. This product wont be for everyone but for some it will be just the ticket.

I couldn't agree more!!!!

Further to recent discussions; I've been informed by EZ Electric, that only the prototype system had a different u-joint welded to the lower part of the steering column. All production versions of the kit will be supplied with a new U-joint that has the correct Pantera spline.