Author Topic: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion  (Read 4303 times)

Offline jamo240

  • Registered User
  • *
  • Posts: 237
  • Location: Melbourne
  • New Member
Re: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion
« Reply #45 on: October 24, 2011, 07:17:00 AM »
Hey Craig

My congrats along with Kato. My engine is going back in the car this weekend, and then I have a few days of wiring work before it will run. But I hope to fire it by end November, so will then get a sense of how the steering feels too!

Cheers

Jamo

Offline 620Z

  • Craig
  • Registered User
  • *
  • Posts: 1536
  • Location: VICTORIA - Rowville
Re: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion
« Reply #46 on: October 24, 2011, 07:27:11 AM »
Hey Jamo. Thanks for that. Yes I must say the steering is very light. 2 fingers to turn the wheel now. But I like it. I am sure you could make it slightly heavier. But I haven't ever driven a Subaru so not sure if it is normal. Probably is as everything has been done the same. I know I said it before but I will say it again. Parking is a breeze. I used to dread getting my car into the garage with a 3 point turn. Now not an issue.   :D
Jamo will your car be on the road for the 3/12/11 BBQ at Gordon's place? Would like to see your car.
Cheers

Offline nizm0zed

  • Alan
  • Donating Member
  • Registered User
  • ***
  • Posts: 761
  • Location: Canberra
  • 260z coupe in slow build
Re: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion
« Reply #47 on: October 24, 2011, 07:44:33 AM »
Reved the car to 6,500 rpm and hit 160-180klms a few times.

On a closed racetrack in a fully controlled environment yea?  ;) ;D

good stuff! good to see its all worked out properly.
As for the light steering, perhaps later at some point (if desired) you can adjust the weight of the system by replicating some of the high end cars, EG, Porsche.
They use a PWM valve that bypasses the pressure line out of the pump back into the resevoir, all internally of course, but no reason why it cant be done externally.
They increase the PWM rate the faster the car goes, effectively bringing the weight back into the steering at high speeds, to reduce the twitchy feeling yet still allowing full power control at low speeds for comfort and parking assist.
Depending on the ECU fitted (if you do have one) some have PWM outputs that are 100% configurable.
That may be able to be mapped and varied against the road speed input.
Would effectively allow you to dial in the perfect weight exactly how you want it and where you want it.

May not be relevant to you, but good info to have in one spot for anyone else considering it.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2011, 07:56:08 AM by nizm0zed »
I am a man of cast iron, hot rubber and steam. Fire flows when I turn the key. The dragon moves at my command.

My build thread........
http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,2902.0.html

Offline 620Z

  • Craig
  • Registered User
  • *
  • Posts: 1536
  • Location: VICTORIA - Rowville
Re: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion
« Reply #48 on: October 24, 2011, 07:57:50 AM »
Hi Alan, thanks for the advise.
The car isn't really twitchy. the rack is progressive anyway. So the more your turn the steering wheel the more the wheels will turn right and left. It's all good I will leave it as it is.
And yes of course I tested my car in a controlled environment. What do you think I am crazy.  ;) I had full control!

Offline jamo240

  • Registered User
  • *
  • Posts: 237
  • Location: Melbourne
  • New Member
Re: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion
« Reply #49 on: October 24, 2011, 11:17:11 AM »
Hey Craig...the Xmas party is going to be a stretch, but you never know...I will by trying though!

There are a few things you can do to adjust weighting of steering. I will fill you in on them when I start fiddling around myself. In a nutshell, you can either increase the rate of the torsion bar inside the control valve, and that will increase the weight, or you can modify the boost valve in the pump (if so equipped) to modulate the pressure delivered at different pump flow rates.

If all that is too hard, you can bypass some of the flow from the pump back to the reservoir via a controlled orifice, thereby reducing the pressure at the rack.

Cheers

Jamo

Offline KatoKid

  • Donating Member
  • Registered User
  • ***
  • Posts: 525
  • Location: South Mexico.... where the low lifes cant find me.
  • Not so New Member but not a Newbie either
Husaberg...its half a KTM

My Project: http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,6400.0.html

71 240Z #000728
77 260Z 2+2 Gone but not forgotten.
2012 Husaberg 570FE....giddy up!

Offline 620Z

  • Craig
  • Registered User
  • *
  • Posts: 1536
  • Location: VICTORIA - Rowville
Re: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion
« Reply #51 on: October 25, 2011, 04:38:26 AM »
Interesting fitting Dave. I will keep it in mind but should be ok. But maybe completes this thread.
You've got to love the net.

Auszcar 240z, 260z, 280zx Forums

Re: Craig's Subaru Power Steering conversion
« Reply #51 on: October 25, 2011, 04:38:26 AM »