on the 4th Gen power steering Rack rom a 1995 Firebird, there are a red and a blue "Fitting" for the hydraulic hoses. Which one is PRESSURE and which is return ?? Thanks

Going by your diagram, the one going to the upper fitting on the column is the high pressure and lower one is the return.

Thank you. I'm getting ready to run the "Lines" in my '87 GT .

quote Originally posted by Lou6t4gto: Thank you. I'm getting ready to run the "Lines" in my '87 GT .

No Problem.

NOW, does anyone Know of a link to an 'EXPLODED VIEW" of a 95 Trans AM RACK / I've got a KIT on the way, this rack has a small leak into the boot, so I'm going to install new SEALS before it goes in. Thanks

Lou how are you gonna set up your power steering pump?
-Joe

It's on the 3800SC already in the car. the lines are already run along side the cooling tube and up to the orig rack., and all I have to do is: ( I want to put new seals in the rack before I mount the front cross member into the car). the entire setup is already built and ready to go in besides the seals. (small leak in boot)

Where are the pics?????

I'll take some in next couple of days.

hope this works !

Finally got the front cross member w/ power Steering Rack installed with New everything (bushings/balljoints/tierods), it's all Bolted in, "Lines" and Column hooked up, all I have to do it hook the lines to the "Pump/reservoir". Hopefully in a couple of days. (My back will not let me do much at a time. I get to do an Hours work, then "recover" for 2-3 days).

Cant wait to hear how this turns out. Are you using the original 3800 pump? are they the same pressure/volume?
had a friend do a custom power steering job on a buggy but he didn't realize the pump was rated at about double the pressure so it slowly wore out the rack till it exploded in a mess.
though i think he was trying to use a ford pump with a chevy rack.. its been to long

How does she drive? i'm doing a 3800 swap and was considering this myself.

have only driven it about 5 miles since I got it together, (Without the Power steering). the 3800SC with 4t65e trans is "Amazing" when you "nail it", otherwise drives very smooth and handles like it's on rails. I'm "guessing the steering won't feel Too much different except for requiring Less "EFFORT". will report back After I get to drive it WITH the P.S.

we need more pics

Fully installed, have not been able to get it out yet (a lot of stuff in the way) but the "Effort seems to be about the same as the Wife's '93 Firebird Formula (that is what the Rack is out of).

1993 firebird RACK ($40), mounted to a spare Fiero Cross member, you can make the adapter plate yourself out of 1/4" steel,( or west coast fieros sells a kit) , 3/8" steel tubing running front the rack to the rear cross member ($30 Roll) at the 3800sc's power steering pump, 2 Tie rod "Adapters" $45 a pair( from west coast fieros). It is then connected to the pump with "altered" '93 firebird power steering hoses (2-Flexible hydraulic hoses)($10 at boneyard) I cut the ends off and attached the hoses to the 3'8" tubing with Compression fitting Couplers.
Really Not a hard or expensive installation, and for anyone like me with Back and shoulder problems, WELL Worth The effort !
I think the $$ cost for me was around $150 and my "Time"

Been watching this a while.
KUDOS

These are still too pricey, but they are starting to hit the yards. Late model Chrysler RWD electric/hydralic power steering pumps.
By what I'm seeing these have a power connector and a pressure control valve that is changed by the PCM. The unit is at full flow at lower speeds. But it looks like they can set up for always full. By what I can tell the motor is always on when the engine is running, but pressure is regulated for road feel. Other than that they look to be a normal rack.
I'm going to have to start checking into these a little more. I'm seeing these on 2011-2014, Chargers, 300, Challengers, Dakotas and Durangos. Could of sworn I saw on on a 1500. They are mounted on the frame right over the rack with the normal hoses. They even have their own reservoir built on.
If I get a chance i will check Mitchels for wiring and load. Haven't seen any failures yet. Knowing the issues I see with Chryslers, I will most likely see issues in the wiring first. PT losers are frying their radiator fan wiring a lot.

Gotta tell ya. I finally got to actually "Drive" it. It could not have turned out Better ! The "combo" of the 3800SC Pump and the '93 firebird Rack is Perfect !
it's Not "1 finger spin the wheel", it's more "Power Assisted" , a "Cross Between" big car power steering an manual Fiero steering. NO Loss of "road feel", but easy enough to turn when standing stiil , (even with wider tires). I HIGHLY Recommend this Upgrade. :-) Big Grin !

quote Originally posted by Lou6t4gto: Gotta tell ya. I finally got to actually "Drive" it. It could not have turned out Better ! The "combo" of the 3800SC Pump and the '93 firebird Rack is Perfect ! it's Not "1 finger spin the wheel", it's more "Power Assisted" , a "Cross Between" big car power steering an manual Fiero steering. NO Loss of "road feel", but easy enough to turn when standing stiil , (even with wider tires). I HIGHLY Recommend this Upgrade. :-) Big Grin !

I'm also in your corner. Converted mine to p/s several years ago with Trans Am rack / quick ratio. No regrets. Congrats!!

Spoon

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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

showing it installed w/ Lines running along the cooling tube to the rear.

Looks great...I am glad it is coming together for you.

I made a "Domed" Fiber glass COVER where I hade to cut a hole in the spare tire TUB. Now it has a "removable Cover" so there is ACCESS to the PS Lines from the top without having to remove the entire "Tub"

I am satisfied with the Fieros steering performance and don't think that I will be converting to power steering anytime soon, BUT if I did, I would use the GM electric power steering pump. A belt driven (mechanical) power steering pump robs valuable horsepower that could make the difference in a close race, the electric doesn't. The electric pump would also be a more economical swap as you could mount it up front and not have to run long lines to the rear.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

electronic for Less than $150 total ? and how much ROOM does the electric take up ? Here's the cover

who makes or where can you get the tie rod end to match the Fiero length? Or alternatively does any one have drawings to have a machine shop make a set?

Rich

I bought the tie rod adapters (fiero to firebird rack) from west coast fieros.

Lou... Did you have to notch your firewall, or anything else? Were there any other "surprises"?

Thanks!

Notch my firewall ? No. just bracketed on the rack, it bolts right up to the Fiero Column, installed the adapters for the Fiero Tie rod ends, and ran 2 - 3/8" steel lines from front to back (next to the cooling tube) and connected them to the PS Pump. No other alterations or surprises. (only the 1 cut in the bottom of the spare tire well to clear the 3/8" lines) Cover I made shown.

Okay. Thanks very much.
Maybe I read that it was the Corvette rack that required enlarging the hole in the firewall for the steering shaft.
Cool!

.

[This message has been edited by infinitewill (edited 01-05-2016).]

Thanks for that input, Dr. Will.
I was looking for something with a quick ratio, but perhaps the C4 unit is a bit much. Still mulling this over...

quote Originally posted by Lou6t4gto: Notch my firewall ? No. just bracketed on the rack, it bolts right up to the Fiero Column, installed the adapters for the Fiero Tie rod ends, and ran 2 - 3/8" steel lines from front to back (next to the cooling tube) and connected them to the PS Pump. No other alterations or surprises. (only the 1 cut in the bottom of the spare tire well to clear the 3/8" lines) Cover I made shown.

Did the Firebird rack bolt right up to the cross member without any modifications or did you have to modify the cross member mounts to make it fit?

-Can be done a few ways, 1st- adapt the Rack (cut off the original mounting points and use the fiero attachment points), #2- leave the rack alone and buy an attachment bracket (Or Make one yourself) and bolt it on. #3 Fabricate cut and weld(what I did) to make the rack fit. (cheapest way out)

Did you just change the driver's side mount or both?

Drivers side only

quote Originally posted by Lou6t4gto: Drivers side only

Can you please post some pics of the 3800 Engine power steering pump connection?

That I cannot do. the power steering pump is" Buried" way down low in the engine compartment. it's just 2 Rubber lines attached to the 2 3/8" steel lines that run up front. the original rubber lines, the threaded ends were cut off and attached with 3/8" brass compression" couplers" to the steel front to rear lines.

Sorry to bother you again but did you leave the Firebird rack stock and make a new cradle mount that used the stock driver side rack mount or did you cut up the rack like WCF does?

I'm considering doing this to my car and I want to know what I will be getting into before I start down that road.

quote Originally posted by Lou6t4gto: -Can be done a few ways, 1st- adapt the Rack (cut off the original mounting points and use the fiero attachment points), #2- leave the rack alone and buy an attachment bracket (Or Make one yourself) and bolt it on. #3 Fabricate cut and weld(what I did) to make the rack fit. (cheapest way out)

Can you add a little detail to what you had to do for number 3 option?