DIY electric power steering

[danzan]

After installing my Maziere electric WP, i decided to go whole hog & convert to electric PS.  i used the toyota MR2 pump.

the ford F250 standard hose fits the MR2 pump perfectly.  i only had to attach the FD banjo fitting to the other end of the hose.

the steering assist is easily adjustable with a screw.  i have light assist (heavy flat palm on wheel @ rest).  the pump draws 25 amps on start & <15 amps SS, depending on vehicle speed.

i have a 200 amp dbelectric, self exciting alternator, which easily handles the mazier & PS pump

i am peased as a pig is shit.  i have no serpentine belt & if you believe the scuttlebut (i don't) ,

picked up 30 Hp.

the alternator bracket is the tensioner.  it costs ~$110 from BMR.  the hose was $22 & the shop charged me ~$25 to add the banjo fitting.  the pump cost ~$250 new.  they are about $ 60 in junk yards.

[Pete180]

Thanx for bringing over the thread Dan. You Navy guys aren't that bad 

You're a credit to the community....

[halfspec]

Thanks Danzan. People always wondered how my mr2 had power steering. When I showed them they never really understood what was going on

In mr2's the PS pump was a PITA because most people put their stereo amplifiers in the frunk and had to run the speaker wires back into the cabin through the firewall which was very close to the electric PS pump. Everybody that didn't shield the wires ended up with a nice little hum every time they turned the wheel

It's nice that FD's have a little more room in the back for amps and stuff and don't have that problem.

Lane

[ablake211]

Old thread bump srry.

Are there any more pics of this setup? I am trying to figure out if this is the best route for my turbo setup.

[Andrew R]

that sure looks nice with no serpentine belt.

[turbotalon1g]

Any info on what years the MR2 pump is out of?

[mefarri]

Yea more pics would be great.  Also, what year model Mr2?  They've made em since 85.  And what year f250 for the hose?  Is there only 1 PS hose on the truck or is a specific one?  What's the deal on the adjustment screw?

How are you wiring and mounting the pump?

Also, why aren't more people doing this?  Seems like a simple solution.

[sciff5]

how bout steering feel?

I would imagine that the amount of assist needed around the parking lot is much different than the highway so its either going to feel heavy at slow speeds or too soft on the highway I would imagine.

[Demon]

91-95 Toyota MR2, I'd take a picture on my MR2, but it is a manual rack

[DeaconBlue]

That is very cool!  Just enough assist in the parking lot and not much if any at speed.

[Defenistrator]

That's awesome.  I always assumed most electric power steering was like that in my cobalt (motor directly on the steering column, no hydraulics)

I definitely will be on the lookout for one of these.  Do you just wire it to switched power?  I'd imagine you'd want an additional relay and fuse for its heavy current draw.

[thetastelingers]

Yea more pics would be great.  Also, what year model Mr2?  They've made em since 85.  And what year f250 for the hose?  Is there only 1 PS hose on the truck or is a specific one?  What's the deal on the adjustment screw?

How are you wiring and mounting the pump?

Also, why aren't more people doing this?  Seems like a simple solution.

I will keep a lookout too.
Very interested.
Any updates on how it performs?

[mpcv2000]

Very interested to know more about it too.
Do we need a cooler ?
I want to do that on my LT1 FC , I really like the clean looking front motor view.

[ablake211]

Someone get danzan in here. I want answers!

[Jordan Innovations]

I've used the MR2 Electro-hydraulic setup in quite a few cars.

You need a large relay/solenoid to control amp flow, it peaks around 80amps and can regularly hit 60amps.  Since it's normally open (not activated) you can get away with a cheap starter solenoid/etc, which is basically what Toyota uses.  I use a Hella 85A relay for racing applications since the pump is on pretty much continuously at the track (lugging around 12" fronts with 315-series R888's in one Unlimited FWD application).

The plumbing is just like any power steering pump - you have a high pressure line coming out that can use banjo's or go AN.  If you have a cooler you'd put it between the rack (low pressure side) and the reservoir.

The stock MR2 setup uses steering wheel angle sensors, wheel speed sensors, and something else together in a computer to determine exactly how much steering assist you get - this is what EPS (electric power steering) systems like the NSX, S2000, and someone's Cobalt do as well, but without the hydraulic aspect.  When you transplant the MR2 pump into another car without those sensors the only adjustment you have is the pressure bleed screw... but that's fine!  That's just like putting a restrictor on a standard belt-driven hydraulic pump. 

Setup works great, is heavy but you can locate it inboard/rearwards for better distribution (my guys put it on the passenger side behind the firewall mostly), and fairly simple.  That being said, the stock LS-series pump with integrated reservoir is nice too, and stands up to quite a bit of abuse.