Electric power steering

[Dan859]

Hi Everybody. 
I've been looking at several articles and videos where guys converted their cars to electric power steering.  It looks interesting, and I'd like to learn more about it.  Does anyone here have any experience with that?  Any ideas on people/shops who I can talk to about it, in Upstate/Syracuse, NY?  The car is a 66 Fairlane, 351/393 cid Windsor, 5 speed Tremec transmission. 
Thanks in advance,
Dan

[TomP]

A local fella has done two 63 Falcons, both V8 manual trans so it is real tight under the dash but still fits fine. I think he used the ones from a Saturn, easy to find at wrecking yards. The only thing is it's still a slow ratio because of the manual steering box but he could use a power box or change the innards to fix that. Looks like simple process. Shortening the steering column is most of the work.

[TimeWarpF100]

Hi Everybody. 
I've been looking at several articles and videos where guys converted their cars to electric power steering.  It looks interesting, and I'd like to learn more about it.  Does anyone here have any experience with that?  Any ideas on people/shops who I can talk to about it, in Upstate/Syracuse, NY?  The car is a 66 Fairlane, 351/393 cid Windsor, 5 speed Tremec transmission. 
Thanks in advance,
Dan

I did a bunch of research on this. Best place I found was canev.com  Canadian Electric Vechiles Limited based in Parksville, BC  They have a really neat setup they will sell outright. I think the model is CEV6004

[TomP]

I have seen that CEV company at local car shows.... back when we used to be allowed to have car shows... they have some interesting parts. I know a guy who has the red engine adapter shown to put an electric engine....umm, motor... in his 65 Falcon sedan delivery.
https://canev.com/product/ford/

I would think it may be able to be used to swap a gas engine into an electric car!

Electric cars all have electric PS and electric A/C but not all run on 12Volts so research before buying. But there are cheap wrecking yard parts available to do this without need some thousand dollar kit.

Here is a bunch of info...


https://www.tffn.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=38744

I'm not sure if you can see the posts there without joining but this is the first one...


I though some of you might like to see my electric power assisted steering in my 1964 Falcon. Some of you may have come across the Saturn Vue conversions but I think I have found even cheaper and better alternative!

My testing shows that most Japanese branded cars and SUV with electric steering works in Fail-Safe mode if the control unit (ECU) is disconnected from CAN BUS. The effort in Fail-Safe mode feels just right like my 2013 Honda Civic. Not too much and not too little. Just like Hydraulic Steering, if the Electric Assisted Steering completely fails, the steering is back to completely manual mode maintaining car control.

The biggest advantage of using EPS from Toyota, Nissan and Kia/Hyundai is that the EPS works in Fail-Safe. The ECU for the column is mounted remotely and cab be disconnected and removed. The EPS from Saturn Vue and Chevy Cobalt has the ECU that cannot be disconnected and must be de-soldered for remote mount. More importantly there is no Fail-Safe and a 3rd party eBay module is needed in order for it to work. Additionally , people have reported that with after market eBay module, the Saturn EPS does not self center the steering wheel coming out of a turn. You have to make constant corrections.

Below is the list of Car that I know of that has Fail-Safe Electric Steering. Only 3 wire connection. Ignition On, Power and Ground to the Steering ECU. That's it !

2004-2009 Toyota Prius
2009-2013 Toyota Corolla
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (With ABS)
2007-2009 Nissan Versa
2009-2012 Nissan Cube
2012-2014 Kia Soul

ECU Part Numbers:

2004-2009 Toyota Prius 89650-47102
2009-2013 Toyota Corolla 89650-02300
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (With ABS) 89650-52120 / 52050
2007-2009 Nissan Versa 28500-EM30A / 991-30303
2009-2012 Nissan Cube 28500-1FC0B / JL501-000932
2012-2014 Kia Soul B2563-99500 / 4PSG1312 / FPSG1312

The output shaft on Toyota is little larger than the rest and therefore the Borgeson 312500, 11/16 36 X 3/4 smooth bore weldable coupling should fits nicely. This couple fits the others as well. The Kia EPS is the biggest and appears to be most heavy duty. The Prius & Corolla EPS are very easy to find at salvage yards so this is the best bet. I picked up these EPS for testing for $35 each at my local pic-a-part

Note: As with any modification, there are risks. This post is intended to show how I did my modification. Use it at your own risk!

[chris401]

Looks like you have done your research Tom. Along with the mention of GM boxes I'll add a GM or Saturn car I worked on back in 2011. Our shop had it in for a pull to the left. Turned out it was the small three wire removable but not sold separately sensor on top of the column that sensed shaft angle. Customer decided to deal with it. If you do a GM box keep my experience in mind and check for serviceable parts.


EDIT: Our 2008 HHR was working fine before it wound up on it's side. If the electric steering setup suits anyones needs let me know. We can get things moving when it is safe.

[TomP]

Not my research, I hate power steering of all kinds. That is off the Falcon site but I think you can't view it unless you are a member so I copied it from the page. I should have put quotes or italics on "I thought some of you...." part.

That said, it is a pretty slick setup. I think the spline is a 16mm. There are UJoints to fit. One thing it doesn't change is the slow manual steering ratio. There are ways around that, a power box or an oval track car steering quickener box, although that adds even more length