Power Steering and Brakes

[Hoodlum60]

New owner here. After driving my car a several hundred miles, I think power steering and brakes may be in order. I’ve begun research on the topic with the help of previous posts on this forum. My main want is power steering. I know there are a several different ways to accomplish this, and opinions to go along with them. Here are some of my thoughts/questions:

Electric vs. conventional?
Which style pump?
Mustang power steering/brake setup? (Kill 2 birds)
Wilwood hydro assist?
Cobble together choice parts for system?
Buy existing system from vendor?

I’m not trying to rehash old posts, just want opinions on what you would do if you were starting fresh with my situation. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

[michael everson]

First off what pedal box? Will make a difference which way you go.
Mike

[Hoodlum60]

Wilwood, came with the complete kit.

[CDXXVII]

I just converted a few months ago to power steering. I can’t believe I drove nearly 10,000 miles without it. Best upgrade I have done yet. I have no experience with the electric setup. My setup works great and came out super clean.

Saginaw Pump, AGR Steering Rack, March Pulley Set.

Sorry about the orientation of the photos.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153022

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153021

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153023

[edwardb]

Changing the Wilwood pedal box to power on a completed build will be challenging. The pedal box has to have the MC's removed and the pedal box modded to have a pushrod out the front of the foot box. Then a boosted setup installed with a new dual MC. Either vacuum or hydroboost. Then the brake lines re-routed accordingly. Certainly can be done. But a pretty significant effort. Instead, you may want to study further about different disk brake pads that give you more what you're looking for. Or even upgrade the brakes themselves. Depending on what you have.

For the power steering, at this stage adding an electric assist setup to the steering column may be the simplest. Again, depends on your setup, available space, etc. You'll get different opinions about the "feel" of those systems. I personally have only had hydraulic PS in my builds. Pretty easy add on most engines. Then you'll need to change to a power rack. Not too bad of a change to a completed build. In either case, update the front end alignment to the recommended power steering specs. That's where you'll really notice the difference. You apparently didn't listen to several of us who promote power steering every chance we get. :p

[Hoodlum60]

I bought the car already built. I would have gone with power brakes and steering! These cars are such a handful, it’s hard to keep up with that reared stepping out with the manual steering. I drove my other high horsepower cars with all the nannies turned down or off, but this thing is a beast.

[johnnybgoode]

Here are a couple of links to Vendor sites that offer kits for what you are after.

https://www.whitbymotorcars.com/product/power-brake-kit-complete/
https://www.breezeautomotive.com/shop/power-steering-hose-and-fitting-kit-for-use-with-driver-side-mounted-ford-pump/

I'm running PS & PB on my MKII and would add these to any furture builds. The Whitby kit is quite complete and Mark's lines/fittings make it very easy to install a standard 1988-93 Mustang PS rack and pump. I'd go with the standard non-performance rack from Rock Auto. The only other thing you will need to add is the bracket and pulley (included a couple of links below as examples). Both installs are fairly straight forward, even on a finished car.

https://www.cfrperformance.com/FORD_MUSTANG_5_0_POWER_STEERING_BRACKET_SET_BLACK_ p/hz-4306-pbk.htm
https://www.cfrperformance.com/FORD_MUSTANG_5_0_ALUMINUM_POWER_STEERING_PULLEY_p/hz-02011-pbk.htm

Good Luck. Scott

[Hoodlum60]

Thank you guys for the suggestions and pics. I didn’t even think about the pedal assembly limitations. I just figured out the new pulley/belt/water pump situation as well. That electric is sounding way easier, I just never drove one before.

CDXXVII, that’s the cleanest 10,000 mile chassis I’ve ever seen!

[Avalanche325]

Hydraulic P/S is easy. All bolt-ons. Changing the rack is not hard. Not a fan of electric P/S, not may have good feel to them, unless you get it from a new Porsche.

I have an AGR rack and Ford style pump, with CFR pullies.

I run Wilwood brakes, so don't need power assist. You do have to push on them, but they are great.

[Hoodlum60]

I noticed there were several AFR part numbers on the Summit site. Which ones did you guys use. Thanks.