Hatched Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Hey members, I am trying to find out if any companies are offering a universal electric power steering kit for our EA81 cars that about 99% of them have manual steering. If anyone has knowledge of this question and knows if it does or doesn't exist please let me know because I can't help but think that some company has a kit that would work, I just can't find them. Thanks ahead of time for those who respond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 There are none I have heard of. Electric assist ps requires a torque sensor that is mounted on the steering column to sense driver input to know when and how much to assist. Fitting a universal sensor to hundreds if not thousands of different columns would be near impossible from a financial stand point. Then you need a control module and the appropriate software which is custom tailored to each vehicle. The current required for the early 12v systems as fairly high as well. 50-60 amps, so there's that to contend with. The cheapest assembly I've replaced was about $800. Demand vs cost doesn't make it feasible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BratRod Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Datsun guys have done a mod similar to this. It's not small feat. But has been done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 You could probably retrofit an XT6 or MR2 electric power steering pump to operate a more conventional hydraulic rack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagons Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Mr2 electric pump may work as long as you limit pressure and also have power steering cooler. Then you need a Power rack to work. Then custom linkages. This all can add up to over $1500 real quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Mr2 electric pump may work as long as you limit pressure and also have power steering cooler. Then you need a Power rack to work. Then custom linkages. This all can add up to over $1500 real quick. I've seen MR2 and XT6 pumps set up on other cars (or even for rear steer on rock buggies) without limiting pressure, and even without a cooler (although it's certainly a good idea). I bet something from the Subaru parts bin would work, probably EA82 without too much difficult. No, not easy. But sounds easier than: -Tracking down a complete, working, EA81 power steering setup -Retrofitting a hydraulic rack AND retrofitting a belt-driven pump -Retrofitting an electric rack and associated parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 28, 2017 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Regardless of pump setup, you still need an EA81 power rack. EA82 and Legacy are too long between the inner joints to work PROPERLY on an EA81. Toe will change throughout turns and during travel. Others have used newer racks in older cars. it will yeild terrible tire wear and handling. With a simplified intake, I would bet an EA or Legacy pump could be fitted to an EA81 alot easier than doing an electric pump. That said....I got XT6 parts to sell if you are interested in tryin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BratRod Posted September 28, 2017 Share Posted September 28, 2017 http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/125428-electric-power-steering-100-1500/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEECHBM69 Posted September 28, 2017 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Regardless of pump setup, you still need an EA81 power rack. EA82 and Legacy are too long between the inner joints to work PROPERLY on an EA81. Toe will change throughout turns and during travel. Others have used newer racks in older cars. it will yeild terrible tire wear and handling. With a simplified intake, I would bet an EA or Legacy pump could be fitted to an EA81 alot easier than doing an electric pump. That said....I got XT6 parts to sell if you are interested in tryin' I just stripped the entire power steering system from an 84 turbo coupe. Much to my surprise, the pump, reservoir, and bracket were identical to the one on my EA82 wagon mounted in the center. This was different from my 83 coupe which has the pump off to the passenger side. It might be noteworthy that this particular specimen also had factory air. The only EA81 I've ever seen in person with such. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatched Posted September 29, 2017 Author Share Posted September 29, 2017 Hey guys I certainly appreciate all of the responses and advice. I guess I will go with a factory power rack setup so now the question is, are there electric power steering fluid pumps that could be used to power the factory rack so I don't have to use the power robbing belt driven factory pump? Another thing that I have been told is that the engine cross members are different between the manual rack and the power rack, do any of you know if there is a difference and if there is, what is it? Thanks a bunch!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Hey guys I certainly appreciate all of the responses and advice. I guess I will go with a factory power rack setup so now the question is, are there electric power steering fluid pumps that could be used to power the factory rack so I don't have to use the power robbing belt driven factory pump? Another thing that I have been told is that the engine cross members are different between the manual rack and the power rack, do any of you know if there is a difference and if there is, what is it? Thanks a bunch!!!!!! The power racks had lines in two different configurations. One of them is not compatible with the non-power crossmember. And both of them are installed in such a way you have to drill (or torch) out the spotwelds that hold the lower panel on the crosmember to remove the rack. Any power gains from not having a hydraulic PS pump will be negated by the added Amp draw at the Alternator to run the Electric pump, plus the additional weight and complexity of the electric system. no need to reinvent the wheel here. Save the fabrication/retrofitting effort for things that weren't offered with factory solutions. Search and you will find a complete setup somewhere, they did make alot of em over the years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatched Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 I appreciate the information. What you said about each way I was questioning to have power steering is pretty much what I was thinking the outcome would be so I will use the donor cars cross-member and all the other brackets and stuff to have a factory setup, it will make new parts sourcing a lot easier and cheaper. Thanks for the tips Gloyale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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