Electric Power Steering

[EJ101]

not sure if this has been covered before.

 

has anyone looked at or possibly fitted this electric power steering developed for the Z's

 

from  http://zpowersteering.com/

 

[oldmates260z]

Pete's bought one once, not sure if he fitted it or the brand....

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/4508-peter-ts-75-22/page-19?hl=%2Belectric+%2Bsteering&do=findComment&comment=149620

[600Z]

I have made my own up for my car along with one for a friends Targa race car.

 

I will be making them up on a exchange basis and they will be supplied with a weld test certificate so you are able to go through vehicle modifications and have it approved so its all legal.

Edited November 9, 2015 by 600Z

[HKSZ]

looks good are they collapseable, ie in an accident.

[Gordo]

Wow, this could gather momentum .

[EJ101]

I have made my own up for my car along with one for a friends Targa race car.

 

I will be making them up on a exchange basis and they will be supplied with a weld test certificate so you are able to go through vehicle modifications and have it approved so its all legal.

image.jpegimage.jpeg

will your setup be adjustable i.e be able to vary the amount of assistance?

any idea of cost?

[andyk_79]

I bought Pete's off him - he decided against it once it was established they need to go through NDT and get approved by an engineer.  I haven't fitted it yet though (waiting until I'm ready to do other engineering stuff down track)

[600Z]

Yes its collapsible though not as far as the original column due to its design but didn't have any issues with being passed by vehicle modifications.

 

I decided to make my own unit as i wasn't all that happy with how zpower do their unit with the two universals in the lower section which would allow for movement of the column over the rigid design of how i have done mine. Not that there is obviously an issue with it as they sell lots of them its just i didn't like it.

 

Yes it is adjustable though once set you don't adjust at anyway. You don't complain about hydraulic power steering that you can't adjust lol.

 

I have sourced a couple of 260z columns so i can do exchange basis units as i need the original column back so i can keep making them.

 

Cost of the unit would be around the $1500 mark exchange with original column and would include the NDT test certificate, wiring, detailed fitting and calibration instruction all ready to bolt in.

 

The difference in driving with and without it is amazing. I did post information awhile back on here when someone was talking about them while i was making mine up and when it was finished. My wife has a zed car as well and one will certainly be going into it during its rebuild were doing.

Edited November 12, 2015 by 600Z

[EJ101]

sure, once adjusted to your personal preference, very unlikely you'll change it. It's good to have the ability to set as desired.

 

slow, heavy steering is what makes the car feel its age.

 

it'll be something I'll definitely do............as soon as I have a Z.

[Gyzmo]

I have one of the Z-Power Steering kits.

Avoid buying these!!!  They are illegal here in Australia.  Install at your own risk...

The section of the column between the motor output shaft and the engine bay rubber coupling is welded in 3 locations, and unless is proved by destructive or magnetic testing to withstand minimum requirements set by the Motor Vehicle Standards Act and Australian Design Rules it must not be installed as part of the steering column.

On top of this, the way the lower section of the column is fabricated makes it unservicable, meaning that the whole lower column section would need to be refabricated if one of the uni joints fail.

The welding to the lower part of the column also is very ordinary...
I would upload photos in my gallery to demostrate what I am talking about but there is some sort of restriction stopping me from doing so...

Edited April 25, 2017 by Gyzmo

[Gyzmo]

Further to my post above...

I have been in contact with a motor engineer and I am working out a solution to getting this system to comply.
My engineer requires me to incorporate as much collapse as possible in the upper half of the column...

I am working on a solution as I write...

[Retro Z]

I got a hydraulic unit thats a BMW 3 series rack. Custom brackets to mount on existing Datsun crossmember. And 280zx brackets, pulley and belt that all bolt on. Engineer didnt look at it twice.

[600Z]

Hi Gyzmo,

 

If your Engineer is happy to have the lower section able to collapse it would be much easier to modify that.

 

Just a thought and how I have done mine.

[road rider]

sure, once adjusted to your personal preference, very unlikely you'll change it. It's good to have the ability to set as desired.

 

slow, heavy steering is what makes the car feel its age.

 

it'll be something I'll definitely do............as soon as I have a Z.

 

 

'slow heavy steering is what makes the car feel it's age' 

 

Yes, so true.................but it also makes me feel my age

 

 

Will have to invest in a power steering unit once my Z is closer to being on the road.

600Z expect a call down the track

[nizm0zed]

gyzmo, could you host the pics on a different site? like imgur.com
Id be interested to see the way yours is set up before and after you have to mod it

[600Z]

Hi Guys,

 

Just thought I would share a video that gives a bit of an indication of what the zeds are like to drive with electric power assist steering fitted.

 

The last one I made was for Paul Henshaws Time Attack 240Z a few months ago and due to quiet a few upgrades to his car it was awhile before he had a chance to try it out but after completing the last couple of races he too is pretty happy with it.

 

For the guys who have something like I do or hydraulic setups they know just how much better these cars are to drive and to be honest isn’t that what we have them for to drive and enjoy after all but whatever system you have or thinking of going for make sure you get it approved for insurance purposes as some you can’t.

 

Cheers,

Justin