I want power steering.

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:21 am

I think I've heard of an option for Fieros to have it, but I don't know what is involved. An idea I think would be neat that some new cars have is drive-by-wire. That would be badass!

p8ntman442 · Post by **p8ntman442** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:06 am

Im not gonna get into why you want it, but lets look at options for completing it.

1)$$$$$$$ you buy the prototype and instal it.

2) time + $$$ you design your own using an fbody rack.

3) You do the research and find a DBW setup you think can be used to work on the Fiero.

4)$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ aftermarket PS setups. about $3k only need google to find that.

Kohburn · Post by **Kohburn** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:42 am

you can make one using dirt track components and modifying the fieros stearing shaft to add the hydraulic servo inline, then replace the stearing damper with the hydraulic cylinder, and if you have a motor swap most will have a power stearing pump available to use. cost about 400$ in parts. but a decent amount of fab work if you aren't used to it

Formula69 · Post by **Formula69** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:16 pm

Use a C4 Corvette rack. The hydraulic lines clear everything nicely, unlike the Fbody rack that requires the spare tire tub to be clearanced.

The C4 rack uses the stock OEM Fiero mount on one side and a custom mount on the other. Then all you need are 2 adapters to connect the C4 rack to the Fiero inner tie rods.

That's how I'm doing it on mine. I bought a complete kit to do it from someone on another forum. I don't know if they post here or not.

Chase Race · Post by **Chase Race** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:37 pm

Kohburn wrote:you can make one using dirt track components and modifying the fieros stearing shaft to add the hydraulic servo inline, then replace the stearing damper with the hydraulic cylinder, and if you have a motor swap most will have a power stearing pump available to use. cost about 400$ in parts. but a decent amount of fab work if you aren't used to it

I've thought of this idea, too, and think it could be a great way to go. Do you know if anybody has actually done this? The one thing I would do differently would be to add a 3:2 steering quickener at the same time. With a setup like this you would maintain stock geometry but have 50% quicker steering and power to be able to turn the wheel.

emod19 · Post by **emod19** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:20 pm

I have a 2:1 quickener on my E mod car. I can run most courses without movin my hands on the wheel.

Steve

Chase Race · Post by **Chase Race** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:31 pm

emod19 wrote:I have a 2:1 quickener on my E mod car. I can run most courses without movin my hands on the wheel.

Steve

Nice. Do you have power steering or do you just have strong arms?

emod19 · Post by **emod19** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:22 pm

No power steering. It's a bit stiff when the car is still. Once it's moving it's not too bad.

Steve

Kohburn · Post by **Kohburn** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:38 pm

Chase Race wrote:
Kohburn wrote:you can make one using dirt track components and modifying the fieros stearing shaft to add the hydraulic servo inline, then replace the stearing damper with the hydraulic cylinder, and if you have a motor swap most will have a power stearing pump available to use. cost about 400$ in parts. but a decent amount of fab work if you aren't used to it
I've thought of this idea, too, and think it could be a great way to go. Do you know if anybody has actually done this? The one thing I would do differently would be to add a 3:2 steering quickener at the same time. With a setup like this you would maintain stock geometry but have 50% quicker steering and power to be able to turn the wheel.

nobody has done it that i know of. but it wouldn't be that difficult or expensive. i've priced out most of the parts required. all but the custom hoses.

The Dark Side of Will · Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:24 am

I think that the Chevette rack might be the easiest to install, but it's as slow as the Fiero rack. Adding the steering quickener will fix that.

dratts · Post by **dratts** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:55 pm

I bought an AD355 project that came with a Merkur rack and will probably mount it eventually since I have real wide 18" tires, I'm sure it will be hard to turn at slow speeds. On Old Europe forum some guys use an electric pump. Since I have a N* I may remount the power steering pump. Do a search at Old Europe, lots of posts on this, and some flames.

The Dark Side of Will · Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:10 pm

Has anyone actually used an electric pump? That's repeatedly suggested when the topic comes up, but I wasn't aware that anyone actually did it.

The Dark Side of Will · Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:12 pm

Has anyone with power steering converted their power brakes over to a hydroboost from the stock vacuum booster?

If I were going to the trouble of running power steering lines to the front compartment, I'd do that also. Having driven a few vehicles with hydraulically boosted brakes, I find that I like the pedal feel from that better than from most vacuum boosted setups.

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:07 am

Is there a way to add a hydraulic pressure reserve in case you throw a belt or your engine stalls and you still want to stop the car? With vacuum you can stop the car at least once or twice if the motor stalls..

The Dark Side of Will · Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:29 am

Hydroboosts have an accumulator built in.

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:59 pm

Cool. Any GM cars to get that stuff off of though?

The Dark Side of Will · Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:07 pm

Some Vans. Diesel cars/trucks. Some older cars might have had them...
http://www.hydratechbraking.com/

The gold thing in the picture is the accumulator.
The unit by itself is significantly heavier (10-15 lbs) than a vacuum booster, and it has the extra plumbing as well.

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:08 pm

The Dark Side of Will wrote: http://www.hydratechbraking.com/

Very nice :thumbleft: