Any lighter steering conversion available?

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1600SSS72
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Joined: 15 Jan 2009 05:17
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by 1600SSS72 »

Hi, I use my FJ20 powered 510 in historic rallies, and after 2 years of improvements it is now perfect and very fun to drive, but I must improve steering as I have just finished a 2.000 kms event and my hands are still recovering.
I am in Portugal, Europe, and as the heavy steering is a common problem of the 510, probably someone has a solution for an electric assisted option, even better if somewhere exists a ready to mount kit.
Thank you for your help.
Rui
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okayfine
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Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by okayfine »

Very difficult to convert the steering box to power-assist. Check out the later pages of Goichi's Featured Project thread, he installed an aftermarket electric power steering column. You could also convert to rack-and-pinion and power that conventionally, though that's not an easy process either.

How much of your alignment specs (specifically caster) are responsible for the stiff steering? I don't find my 510's steering to be difficult, but then I don't drive it in rally conditions over 2000km.
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1600SSS72
Posts: 54
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 05:17
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by 1600SSS72 »

Thank you.
My suspension set-up is perfect and I believe it wouldn´t change the steering feel as much as I need.
The Goichi´s project is similar to a usual mode using an Opel Corsa B or C electric steering (probably not known there), but needs a lot of work, and I was hoping to find an easier way.
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Byron510
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Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by Byron510 »

I've read about a few hot rod guys using the Opel set up because it doesn't need to talk withthe ECU concerning vehicle speed - perfect for us old car guys. Not sure of much else, though.

Byron
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because the opposite never works.
datzenmike
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Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by datzenmike »

I've noticed that the 710 box is very similar to the 510 and shares some internal parts. I plan a power steering box swap this year. I have put power steering in my 620 using a 280zx box and it moved the 33x12.5 tires nicely.

Anyway how hard can it be?
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1600SSS72
Posts: 54
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 05:17
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by 1600SSS72 »

Byron510 wrote:I've read about a few hot rod guys using the Opel set up because it doesn't need to talk withthe ECU concerning vehicle speed - perfect for us old car guys. Not sure of much else, though.

Byron
Hi, Byron,
Yes, the Opel Corsa electric steering is a good choice for many european classic cars, but I have not found anyone to adapt it to 510.
There is an English company selling a sensor for the Corsa: http://www.rallywiz.com/Shop/index.php? ... roductId=2
and also in UK, there is a kit ready to fit to the Ford Escort Mk2, but unfortunately the steering columm is different, altough they say I can adapt it.
Here with assembly photos: http://mk2mania.website.orange.co.uk/
What is your opinion?
Cheers,
Rui
1600SSS72
Posts: 54
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 05:17
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by 1600SSS72 »

datzenmike wrote:I've noticed that the 710 box is very similar to the 510 and shares some internal parts. I plan a power steering box swap this year. I have put power steering in my 620 using a 280zx box and it moved the 33x12.5 tires nicely.
Anyway how hard can it be?
]
I think I may have somewhere a 280ZX box, that can also be a simpler way to improve it. I will look for it and check its condition.
Thank you
q-tip
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Joined: 01 Apr 2008 22:11
Location: tacoma, washington

Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by q-tip »

i know goichi did an electrical p/s swap on his SSS, his thread is in the featured projects section. or maybe a rack and pinion swap would work.
'72 4dr w KA24DE
'76 620 king cab
1600SSS72
Posts: 54
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 05:17
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by 1600SSS72 »

I did find a photo of this box with 280ZX box, now I have to find where is the box. Do you think I could replace the 510 box for this, and benefit from a lighter steering? That would be great, with much less work than adapt an electric.
Attachments
My last Rally in October
My last Rally in October
SS1 foto Foto José Amorim (2).jpg (129.05 KiB) Viewed 14275 times
280ZX cx direcção sp.jpg
280ZX cx direcção sp.jpg (186.95 KiB) Viewed 14275 times
goichi1
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Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by goichi1 »

The EPS that I installed came out of a JDM Suzuki Kei, it was not that difficult to install, it was a little tricky wiring it. The motor assy that I have is very similar and probably made my the same japanese company that makes the Corsa system as it looks very similar to the ones I have seen in the early JDM Suzuki Wagon R's. I looked at many models before deciding on the one I chose.
-mine gives you steering just as it does in the car it came out of....the faster you go, the less assist you get, it's computer controlled to do this. some people have made a controller to over-ride this with a rheostat(sp) type switch....

I also thought about the hyd assist boxes too, but didn't want to clutter up the bay with hyd lines, which would probably require custom made lines to look good and fit right.

Rack steering is probably the best bet, but not the easiest to install, just finding a rack that will be close is hard enough as they all seem to have good and bad points when it comes to lining up and handling right.

I think the best set-up would be the EPS with an mechanical rack, that would be money in my opinion.
1600SSS72
Posts: 54
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 05:17
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by 1600SSS72 »

Thank you all for your help.
I am very decided to buy the UK complete kit, as they sell an universal kit for other cars, and here you can read an article with the Ford Escort conversion:
http://photobucket.com/mk2maniapowersteering
I believe this must be very similar to Goichi option.
goichi1
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Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by goichi1 »

yea, that's about the same thing as I have installed. You will love it I am sure, I know I like mine a lot! Makes driving so much easier and fun, you won't be tired at the end of a long drive that's for sure. It makes parking very easy too....I can back up with one hand on the wheel, I could never do that before. good luck and take a lot of pics for your thread....
1600SSS72
Posts: 54
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 05:17
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by 1600SSS72 »

Yes, I will, thank you so much.
Cmac
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Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by Cmac »

Here is another option for people interested in this set up. The Motor is new not used and uses a 3 wire system to make set up easier. Not in my car but I do like the idea.

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Contact TSR for more information.
goichi1
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Re: Any lighter steering conversion available?

Post by goichi1 »

Well, you can buy a new motor like i have installed in the coupe, but why when they cost three or four times the price. The model that Suzuki installed in the original car is proven to last, they changed the unit as they improved technology and design, making for a really good set-up. None of these are designed for a 510, they are designed for light weight, small wheel/tire combo and a rack steering unit. So steering feel is anyone's guess what you might end up with, unless you have the know-how to manipulate the ECU to your specific vehicle.....Suzuki probably has engineers that calculated and tested these for the specific model car that its used in....considered a lot of factors before they rolled them out to the consumer.. has Mario got a unit up and running in a car yet? What's his price for this set-up?
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