Skip to main content

Hi Everyone,

SACC Restorations is now offering an Electric Power Steering Kit for the Pantera. As some of you know, we have been working to dial-in the earlier discussed kit so that it is truly a bolt on product that positions the column in the stock location and isn't to obtrusive to the stock sheet metal so upgrade reversal is easily possible. We have now met all those goals and am very happy with the final product.

The unit is now available for pre-ordering at:

http://www.saccrestorations.ne...-power-steering-kit/

By pre-ordering, you will save your place in line for the first units that will become available very soon. Availability will be limited while we build the first units with the new changes that created a truly exceptional unit. The unit comes with everything needed to install the unit the day it arrives in the box. You should be able to install the complete unit in an afternoon!

Let me know if you have any questions!



Thanks, Scott

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Pantera_Electric_Power_Steering
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Great news Scott, maybe a few more details regarding this new and welcome addition to your product line;

What is actually included in the purchase, your pictures show a complete steering column, with shroud, lower shaft etc. I think it's worth clarifying what exactly the kit includes.

Is this on a core exchange basis i.e. return of existing steering column?

Does the unit function with a rheostat for effort reduction or is it able to be integrated to VSS?

Julian
quote:
Now if you had one of those for my 66 Mustang...


Hi Garth,

Larry is completely right. I am a dealer for EPAS PErformance and can indeed, supply you with a power steering kit for your Mustang, Corvette, Camaro, Chevelle, Nova, T-Bird, Bronco, Mopar, etc.., etc.., etc...

Let me know and I will get one for you.

Take care, Scott
quote:
Originally posted by Joules:
Great news Scott, maybe a few more details regarding this new and welcome addition to your product line;

What is actually included in the purchase, your pictures show a complete steering column, with shroud, lower shaft etc. I think it's worth clarifying what exactly the kit includes.

Is this on a core exchange basis i.e. return of existing steering column?

Does the unit function with a rheostat for effort reduction or is it able to be integrated to VSS?

Julian


Hi Julian,

I will be updating the product page shortly to give all the details in the description on the first page. However, if you look at the description on the very first picture, it tells you that the shroud, steering wheel, ignition switch and turn signal stock is not included.

What is included is EVERYTHING you need to convert your Pantera to Power Steering. Basically you get a complete Power Steering Pantera Steering Column, wiring harness and ECU. The day your Power Steering arrives, you will be driving your Pantera with Power Steering in about 3-4 hours. There is nothing left to buy!

There is no core, no exchange, no return of any kind.

The amount of boost is controlled via a potentiometer. You simply set it and forget it unless you like to play. I have found that I like one setting for all my driving including the race track. No need for VSS. I know there will be naysayers that say VSS is way better. In fact, I was one of them until I installed this unit and actually tried it on the track as well as around town. One setting really does fit all. And in the event that you feel it has too much boost, simply turn it down like turning down the volume on the radio.

Please see the product page for all the details. Make sure and enlarge the pictures by clicking on them to get the detailed descriptions.

Take care, Scott
quote:
Originally posted by ZR1 Pantera:
quote:
Now if you had one of those for my 66 Mustang...


Hi Garth,

Larry is completely right. I am a dealer for EPAS PErformance and can indeed, supply you with a power steering kit for your Mustang, Corvette, Camaro, Chevelle, Nova, T-Bird, Bronco, Mopar, etc.., etc.., etc...

Let me know and I will get one for you.

Take care, Scott


Hmmm! Now something else to consider as I put my Mustang back together. As soon as I start re-assembly in a couple months I may give you a call for an estimate.

Thanks!
Garth
Agreed. This looks like a very elegant solution Scott. Thank you for making the effort to develop it. I view it as a great addition to the driveability at low speeds. Can you confirm if this will be a bolt-on, reversible kit, or if cutting of the car or the original column/trim is needed? If so, can you outline what mods are required?

Thanks,

Mark
quote:
Agreed. This looks like a very elegant solution Scott. Thank you for making the effort to develop it. I view it as a great addition to the driveability at low speeds. Can you confirm if this will be a bolt-on, reversible kit, or if cutting of the car or the original column/trim is needed? If so, can you outline what mods are required?


Our Facebook Post and the SACC Restorations Product and Photo pages have much more detail regarding the installation. This is indeed a bolt on upgrade and is easily reversible. Unlike the other offering from other vendors, our unit only requires some slight clearance trimming. No bolt bosses are removed allowing you to bolt the stock unit back in at anytime.

The original column is not used and can be put on your shelf for the future.

Installation Summary:
> remove steering wheel and hub for re-use
> remove steering wheel column
> remove blinker assembly for re-use
> remove ignition assembly for re-use

> clearance trim where electric motor will sit
> install rear bracket
> install new power steering column
> reinstall ignition switch
> reinstall blinker switch
> reinstall shroud halves (The only trim on the shroud is the rear tabs must be trimmed)
> reinstall steering hub and wheel
> Connect cables to ECU and connect to power

Done.
quote:
Installation Summary:
> remove steering wheel and hub for re-use
> remove steering wheel column
> remove blinker assembly for re-use
> remove ignition assembly for re-use

> clearance trim where electric motor will sit
> install rear bracket
> install new power steering column
> reinstall ignition switch
> reinstall blinker switch
> reinstall shroud halves (The only trim on the shroud is the rear tabs must be trimmed)
> reinstall steering hub and wheel
> Connect cables to ECU and connect to power

Brilliant product Scott. Not for me, I enjoy the direct feeling, but I must admit having never driven a Pantera with this kind of PS, I don't know what I'm missing.

But I'd like to applaud such products being developed that can be installed and reversed later and looks OEM. It must have taken lots of time, time that you now need to get money for by selling a lot. Good Luck.

It must be hard being a Pantera vendor. So many good Pantera specific products are created, and yet many Pantera owners want to do their own. I'm puzzled when I read the x'th post on what rear lid dampers to buy, might save $5, but the vendors, they know what dampers have the right length, hole sizes, strength, they've tested it, why not buy their tested product instead of trial and error? Another example is brakes. I bought a full set from Dennis Quella, including the custom rear parking brake billet calipers. Works perfectly, is perfectly front/rear balanced. Still, we see postings about can this and this Mustang rotor be modified to fit etc, not to save money but to be different. Bottom line, our vendors have great products tested on many Panteras, you rarely can find or build something better. You might save a few $ occasionally, but then you for sure have to get it right the first time, any sending back and buying/building a second attempt, and any savings are gone.

Support our vendors...
quote:
Maybe not too high on your priority for possibly limited sales I would guess, but would there be any fit or clearance issues for RHD cars. Especially early cars with the brake booster still on the left and the pedal linkage assembly etc.


To be honest, I have never seen a RHD Pantera so I can't answer your question. If the structure under the dash is the same, I don't see why it wouldn't fit. If you could post some pictures of what the underside of the dash looks like maybe we could figure it out.
quote:
Originally posted by No Quarter:
quote:
Installation Summary:
> remove steering wheel and hub for re-use
> remove steering wheel column
> remove blinker assembly for re-use
> remove ignition assembly for re-use

> clearance trim where electric motor will sit
> install rear bracket
> install new power steering column
> reinstall ignition switch
> reinstall blinker switch
> reinstall shroud halves (The only trim on the shroud is the rear tabs must be trimmed)
> reinstall steering hub and wheel
> Connect cables to ECU and connect to power

Brilliant product Scott. Not for me, I enjoy the direct feeling, but I must admit having never driven a Pantera with this kind of PS, I don't know what I'm missing.

But I'd like to applaud such products being developed that can be installed and reversed later and looks OEM. It must have taken lots of time, time that you now need to get money for by selling a lot. Good Luck.

It must be hard being a Pantera vendor. So many good Pantera specific products are created, and yet many Pantera owners want to do their own. I'm puzzled when I read the x'th post on what rear lid dampers to buy, might save $5, but the vendors, they know what dampers have the right length, hole sizes, strength, they've tested it, why not buy their tested product instead of trial and error? Another example is brakes. I bought a full set from Dennis Quella, including the custom rear parking brake billet calipers. Works perfectly, is perfectly front/rear balanced. Still, we see postings about can this and this Mustang rotor be modified to fit etc, not to save money but to be different. Bottom line, our vendors have great products tested on many Panteras, you rarely can find or build something better. You might save a few $ occasionally, but then you for sure have to get it right the first time, any sending back and buying/building a second attempt, and any savings are gone.

Support our vendors...


Thanks Mikael
quote:
Not for me, I enjoy the direct feeling


Mikael, with EPAS you still have the same feel but with less effort. The only difference between stock and EPAS is, with EPAS you have a little motor that senses the amount of effort needed to turn the steering wheel. If you need a lot of help, you get it. If you only need a bit of help, that's all you get. In fact, if you don't need any help, you won't get any. That's the beauty of EPAS. The adjustment, whether it be with a VSS or a potentiometer, is only for setting an assist baseline.
quote:
quote:
Not for me, I enjoy the direct feeling


Mikael, with EPAS you still have the same feel but with less effort. The only difference between stock and EPAS is, with EPAS you have a little motor that senses the amount of effort needed to turn the steering wheel. If you need a lot of help, you get it. If you only need a bit of help, that's all you get. In fact, if you don't need any help, you won't get any. That's the beauty of EPAS. The adjustment, whether it be with a VSS or a potentiometer, is only for setting an assist baseline.


Thanks David!

David is exactly correct. The feel of the road is still there. This is not like a hydraulic assist power steering system that you may be familiar with. The ECU is very good at giving you assist without losing the feel of the road. It is truly AMAZING! There, I said the dreaded word!

I have had my car out on the track with this system. I thought I would be turning the assist level down but it turns out, I loved it with a fair bit of assist. It is great!
Scott, you're not the only one that likes power steering on the track. NASCAR, F1 and other high end race cars, have been using power steering for more than two decades. There are many reasons for this but one that applies directly to our cars is, it allows for front suspension geometry that would be difficult for the driver without it. With power steering, we can run caster settings that would otherwise make the steering too heavy.
Our first large batch is sold out. We had a huge response to the initial announcement and received many more orders than what I was planning of prepared for!

THANK YOU to all that purchased a kit. I had my work cut out for me for a while BUT was able to fill every order plus a late order that came in late last week.

We are still filling orders as orders are placed. Wait time is around 2 weeks currently...

Scott
Took some time out this weekend to install Scott's EPS in 2811. Really pleased with the product. The hardware kit included with the power column makes it almost a plug and play unit, but this is still an advanced install. You need to be equipped with tools to cut some sheet metal out of the existing column mount, and drill a hole in a tight place for a bracket. Electrical connections are pretty basic. Fused battery power, accessory power and ground. The instructions spell all this out pretty clearly.

Driving, I found that the full boost was too much. It did not allow the wheel to self center. The sweet spot is about 1/2 boost. Just the right amount of assist with enough feedback to self center the wheel. The best part, when driving at slow speed, it makes the car feel like any other car you drive. No overhand, underhand wheel wrenching when parking.

Summary: I like it! Thumbs Up!

Attachments

Images (1)
  • electric_power_steering
Hi Dave

Looks like a neat installation. While I'm not currently in the market for this, maybe I would be if I had driven one with it installed, some questions:
I have problems if I don't have special shoes, I hit the things in there and the carpet, does this install affect the room for your feet or is it so far up towards the steering wheel that it doesn't affect it?

On driving: As I read you, going fast, no difference, and parking, a joy obviously. The driving slow, you say it feels like other cars? Could you elaborate a bit? Or anybody else that has installed it?

Thanks
quote:
Originally posted by No Quarter:
..
I have problems if I don't have special shoes, I hit the things in there and the carpet, does this install affect the room for your feet or is it so far up towards the steering wheel that it doesn't affect it?

On driving: As I read you, going fast, no difference, and parking, a joy obviously. The driving slow, you say it feels like other cars? Could you elaborate a bit? Or anybody else that has installed it?

Thanks


I am 6'1" (1.85m) with size 12 feet. I have always had to drive with my skinny shoes. This equipment does not change the clearance you have for your feet or legs.

When I say it drives like other cars, it means other cars with power steering. It makes the steering difficulty at low speed a non-issue. You don't think about it. You just drive. Especially since I have done the modification to increase the caster for straight line stability (which increases steering effort).

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×