Power Steering - Electric vs engine driven pump?

[JIMOCO]

I have read the several threads about the merits of power steering. This is something I am considering as I am now manual. I may be mistaken but was there ever a thread getting opinions regarding an electric system compared to the traditional engine/belt drive system?

[Avalanche325]

Some guys want an easy installation. Some have a special space constraint. Some just want the latest thing (a little bit of a head-scratcher on a Cobra).

To me, steering is all about feel. Especially if you autocross or track. Feel and feedback is where most electric systems fall short. Some new high end cars are just.....just getting it figured out. I have not driven a Cobra with electric P/S. I certainly would beg, borrow, or steal a drive in one before jumping in.

[edwardb]

Just to be precise, I'm assuming you're talking about an electric assist directly on the steering column. So saving your manual rack. You'll get different opinions about the feel as already mentioned. I'm using one on my truck build, so will be my first.

There is such a thing as running an electric pump, versus an engine driven pump, and using that for a more conventional hydraulic setup. Many have done that, including me with the Fast Freddie setup several years ago. Works fine and a decent alternative to messing around with the front accessory drive and an engine driven pump. Which is why I chose to go that way. But I'm guessing this is not what you're talking about although your title and question would fit either one.

[Jeff Kleiner]

See if you can find a similar one to take for a drive before committing. I can only offer my observation based on a sample of one---a friend asked me to drive his FE powered roadster that had the Unisteer electric shaft assist and I did not like it at all (and everyone knows that I'm a huge PS proponent). It was spooky and felt like you actually had to stop the wheel from turning any time you came off of dead center. Notice that I referred to the car in the past tense...he crashed it hard twice; nearly killing himself the first time. He rebuilt it then totaled the car the second time. After having driven it I have always wondered if the wonky steering was a factor.


Cheers,
Jeff

[JIMOCO]

To be more specific. I looked into the engine based system. That will require a new rack, pump, belt system and reverse flow water pump. (347 stroker with only alternator and water pump). I have looked at the ePowerSteering.com steering shaft option at it looks much easier to install and ultimately cheaper. It also looks to have a higher range of adjustability. I have not yet considered the electric pump approach. It seems to me that those that installed the ePower system or an equivalent, are happy with the result. What draw backs has anyone seen using the shaft based system compared to a pump based system either engine driven or electric pump? I do not race or autocross but may do so in the future.

[CFranks]

I had a manual setup and after 500 miles in gelcoat decided it wasn’t for me. I looked into switching to traditional engine driven pump system and after you add up the rack, pump, reservoir, hoses etc... it was getting expensive. There is a cheap and cheerful way you can do it through reman parts at auto zone but I didn’t want to go down that path. I installed the epowersteering kit and love it. Easy install, looks clean and works. Cheaper than the unisteer too (if you really want to do it on a budget you could try to pull a setup out of a Vue or equinox from a pick and pull). Only consideration is you have to find a pro welder for the couplers, not something you’d want to do yourself. I only have 1000 miles with it but I “feel” the road just fine and it’s rock steady.

[silver_pilate]

I just installed the epowersteering kit. I built the car all manual, and I didn't want the power steering pump and hoses on the motor. The electric motor is still noticable, but it's down out of the way and leaves the engine clean.

We are in a deep freeze here in Texas, so I haven't been able to try it out on the road just yet. I do like the ability to adjust the assist level on the fly from none to lots, and I'm looking forward to a bit more stability under way with the more aggressive alignment settings I'll be able to run.

[austinsnake]

Silver, can you share a pic of your installed epowersteering setup?

Thanks!

[silver_pilate]

Silver, can you share a pic of your installed epowersteering setup?

Thanks!

Here are a few shots. The engine bay as a whole:

https://i.imgur.com/N5QRkQk.jpg

Too down view:

https://i.imgur.com/LZMooQP.jpg

Close up:

https://i.imgur.com/LOOQ2CQ.jpg

[CraigS]

I will be interested to hear thoughts about the e-steering feel. I remember when e-steering first came out on street cars. Usually the complaint from road testers was about the dead feel. I think about that when I see thoughts of using a Vue e-unit. Hard to imagine Vue engineers giving much thought to feel from a performance car perspective. But that was probably 10 yrs ago and the PS in my 19 Stingray is the best steering I have ever driven..

[JIMOCO]

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I think I am going to go with the e-steering option.

[BadAsp427]

I have the EPowerSteering installed on my Mk4. With over 10,000 miles, I can say that it works great. I have the Manual Rack and the power steering alignment. Most of the time, I have it set at a very low assist. I have at times moved it up to about mid level assist just for easy driving. I have the control knob installed at the far left side of the dash, under the door so I can adjust it very quickly and easily. As Jeff Kliener stated in his assessment, there are times that it feels like it wants to continue to turn as you come back to straight, but I really think that is just the assist feeling the shaft turning and I only ever feel it if I have the assist up pretty high. Click Here (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?29472-Carl-s-20th-Anniversary-8690-Final-Exams-Before-Graduation&p=345511&viewfull=1#post345511) for my install thread and some photos.