KRC Power steering pump tuning

[RickP]

After finally getting my car back on the road, I am starting to settle into her road manners. This is a solid axle/ 4 link car with a Breeze 3 turn power rack. I had the car aligned professionally early on when I reached go-kart stage. I live in an area where the majority of the driving is on curvy mountain roads with short stretches of straights. I am very pleased how the car tracks through corners and pulls into straights. However, I have too much assist and not enough "feel" in the steering.

The KRC pump is a iron/tank mounted style. The flow valve has no markings on it so I am assuming this is the "standard" valve. From what I understand, if I want to decrease assist and add more feel, I would want to restrict the flow. My question is; based on members experience for "around town" driving, what flow valve are they using (ID 4 thru 7) or (ID B thru E). I'd hate to go the route of purchasing a range of valves and installing each one to land on something "ideal". Also, how do you de-power the rack/system in order to install such a valve?


Thanks in advance guys.

RickP

[Jim Doak]

I have an aluminum KRC pump on my car. I'm running the pump discharge fitting with the most restrictive (smallest) orifice. (I believe it's the No. 4 fitting.)

It works well and still provides plenty of assistance.

[RickP]

I have an aluminum KRC pump on my car. I'm running the pump discharge fitting with the most restrictive (smallest) orifice. (I believe it's the No. 4 fitting.)

It works well and still provides plenty of assistance.

I should of installed a pressure relief valve prior to powering up the pump. Do you still have enough "assist" in the steering where it's not a hassle in parking lots?

[Jim Doak]

I have plenty of assist at all times, including low speed turning such as in parking lots. It's just not as over-boosted as it was with the larger orifice fittings.

And I don't use or need a pressure relief valve; I simply restrict flow from the pump using the KRC outlet fitting.

I've got about 35,000 miles on my power steering system. (I had about 5,000 miles on the car with a Flaming River manual rack before I converted.) I'm very pleased with the setup and highly recommend power steering and power brakes (Hydroboost).

[edwardb]

I too have the smallest flow valve on my KRC setup. Their 25304000 Aluminum Flow Valve -6 AN Male connection, ID: 4. I'm very happy with the setup. It provides plenty of boost for low speed/parking and feels great to me while driving. I wouldn't worry too much about pressure on the system to replace the flow valve. I don't think there's a lot of residual pressure in the system once it's been off for a while, cooled off, etc. Since the valve is on the pump, you'll leak some fluid so be ready for that. But otherwise should be a pretty simple swap.

[RickP]

Thanks for the input gents. Sounds like a very simple tweak that will go a long way in driveability. And as always Paul, thank you for the part number.

[edwardb]

And as always Paul, thank you for the part number.

Spreadsheet + cut & paste = easy. You're certainly welcome. Hope it gives the improvement you're looking for. :o

[j.miller]

Installed a #4 on the last one we built and was very happy with the feel...da bat

[RickP]

Sounds like ID 4 is the way to go. Ordered one today.

[RickP]

Just thought I would post my results after replacing the flow valve to a ID#4.

Ordered from Summit for 28 bucks and some change. Took less than an hour to swap the standard valve for the new one. Much different feel in the steering. More similar to rack and pinion with slight assist. I'm much more confident in corners and I'm not always having to correct the path of the car down a straight. Very happy with the adjustment.

Thank you again folks.

RickP

[edwardb]

Great follow-up! Happy to hear it worked out for you. Now make sure you take the pledge and jump in on all the manual versus power steering threads. ;)

[jrcuz]

My KRC p/s pump is iron as well with the high pressure fitting on the bottom of the pump. Is that the fitting that is changed? The blue fitting in the picture.

[edwardb]

My KRC p/s pump is iron as well with the high pressure fitting on the bottom of the pump. Is that the fitting that is changed? The blue fitting in the picture.

That's the one.

[jrcuz]

That's the one.

Thanks Paul!
JR

[RickP]

Now make sure you take the pledge and jump in on all the manual versus power steering threads. ;)

Ahahahhaha. No way Paul.