PS upgrade?? (Page 1/2)
davespades1970 NOV 09, 03:22 AM
So what on ave does it cost to add PSteering? Is it even worth the work and cost?
Rickady88GT NOV 09, 07:20 AM

quote
Originally posted by davespades1970:

So what on ave does it cost to add PSteering? Is it even worth the work and cost?



That is a loaded question.
First, how much of the work do you plan on doing?
What type of power steering? Hydraulic rack with an electric pump or Hydraulic pump. A full electric rack? Electric steering assist with steering column mounted motor?
What purpose do you want to achieve, easier steering or faster ratio?
How much is to much?
There have been several power steering swaps done and several have been documented with a thread, but so far there isn't a standard way or system that is universally used.
darbysan NOV 09, 10:21 AM
I went the route of using the Saturn EPS. It requires very little welding, does not impact the steering box or linkage to the wheels, and is pretty cheap. You can buy all the parts from a Pick and Pull for under $150. Mine was adjustable for force, and made a great improvement for me in the steering effort- more like a modern car. Not a simple install, but fun. More info here:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/095326.html

------------------
'87 GT , '00 3800 Series II SC, 4t65e, Vue Power Steering. (SOLD)

DrXtreme NOV 09, 12:51 PM
My 1988 Mera appears to have had a Chevette PS rack which they don't make or rebuild. I'm in the process of getting a 2000 Trans Am rack in the car to replace it. My car has N8 so pump is on the engine.
davespades1970 NOV 10, 12:52 AM
I had no idea it was this much to do. I hoped there was a fiero PS setup that dropped in. Did the fieros not come with it ever?
Rickady88GT NOV 10, 07:21 AM

quote
Originally posted by davespades1970:

I had no idea it was this much to do. I hoped there was a fiero PS setup that dropped in. Did the fieros not come with it ever?



Never say ever, LOL
yes and no. No pre-88 came with power steering. Only are VERY few 88 Fieros had it. GM designed a power steering system for production in 88 but for some reason pulled the plug on it. Rumor has it that some of the very first 88 Fieros had it, but GM recalled those cars and removed it. According to the rumors, some people refused to return the car for the recall and kept the power steering systems.
Rickady88GT NOV 10, 07:23 AM

quote
Originally posted by Rickady88GT:


Never say ever, LOL
yes and no. No pre-88 came with power steering. Only are VERY few 88 Fieros had it. GM designed a power steering system for production in 88 but for some reason pulled the plug on it. Rumor has it that some of the very first 88 Fieros had it, but GM recalled those cars and removed it. According to the rumors, some people refused to return the car for the recall and kept the power steering systems.



The reason the Fiero is a lot of work installing power steering is because the 88 Fiero does not share suspension parts with other cars, thus the need to fabricate and customize a rack of your choice.
hnthomps NOV 10, 09:52 AM

quote
Originally posted by Rickady88GT:


Never say ever, LOL
yes and no. No pre-88 came with power steering. Only are VERY few 88 Fieros had it. GM designed a power steering system for production in 88 but for some reason pulled the plug on it. Rumor has it that some of the very first 88 Fieros had it, but GM recalled those cars and removed it. According to the rumors, some people refused to return the car for the recall and kept the power steering systems.



I have one of the GM units and it is not really a "drop in" mod. I have all of the four main pieces and made a few electrical plugs so maybe someday I will actually install it and see what happens. My largest current concern is the electronics that control the unit since there is no good way to see if they are functional. The components are also bedded in some sort of "rubberized" compound and are difficult to even identify without damaging the controller.

Nelson
Rickady88GT NOV 10, 05:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by hnthomps:


I have one of the GM units and it is not really a "drop in" mod. I have all of the four main pieces and made a few electrical plugs so maybe someday I will actually install it and see what happens. My largest current concern is the electronics that control the unit since there is no good way to see if they are functional. The components are also bedded in some sort of "rubberized" compound and are difficult to even identify without damaging the controller.

Nelson



I assume you have it in storage of some type, so if you haven't already done so, can you turn the input shaft all the way in one direction and count the number of turns lock to lock, with the balance in hours (as if the hour hand on a clock) ex. 3 turns 4 hours. In the same manner, measure the length of travel the tie rod moves?
From what I remember off hand, the ratio is nearly the same as a stock 88 rack, just a hair faster?
At one time I was going to mix match a Fiero rack and a Chevette rack to make a bolt on power steering rack, but the stock ratio is not a good choice for what I wanted to do, so all of the work would have been an exercise in "can it be done?" vrs " should it be done?"
davespades1970 NOV 13, 03:17 AM

quote
Originally posted by Rickady88GT:


Never say ever, LOL
yes and no. No pre-88 came with power steering. Only are VERY few 88 Fieros had it. GM designed a power steering system for production in 88 but for some reason pulled the plug on it. Rumor has it that some of the very first 88 Fieros had it, but GM recalled those cars and removed it. According to the rumors, some people refused to return the car for the recall and kept the power steering systems.




It is an 88 GT but I do not want to go thru all that. It is hard tho to steer standing with 235/40/18 in the front lol. Thank you all for your advice.