Adding epas to a classic

[natedog]

Don't know anything about epas, other than it's usually a motor on the column. How hard would it be to butcher from something common and add to an old car (vw camper)

[valhalla]

There was an article on this a few months back in Practical Classics (I think it was PC) where a couple of examples were shown. In theory, if you could get a self-contained system as a donor, and had a classic with a similar layout (probably would have to have a rack), then it would be possible. I don't know where you would stand with an MoT? EPAS comes with its own diagnostics, so you might have to include a warning lamp on the dash?

[Rhubarb]

I've seen a few examples on the net...

One was a Ford Orion, the other a Talbot Express Camper with a Saab engine..

One consideration would be insurance as it's a modification..

[natedog]

I'm not overly worried about the insurance side of it. When it hits the road it will be running the wrong engine, mounted on the wrong box (both for the engine and the bus) custom made front suspension, new fangled servo brakes and rack and peanut steering. Don't know what vehicle the donor for the rack will be yet though. And with my Rocco, having more or less everything non standard I've found several companies who are happy to insure it for an agreed value for around £120 a year

All the campers with power steering that I've seen are electric, because it is "much simpler" but the articles never say why it is less hassle, or where the donor bits came from. It did cross my mind that running a pas pump would make the original fit lawnmower engine struggle too much. Mine will be getting a 2 litre watercooled (probably a tall block from a mid 90s passat if I can find one) so it would be less of an issue.
But never having pulled one apart to see how they work, I've got no idea how I would go about fixing it to the column

[rhyds]

I believe most kit/competition car builders use a Corsa B or C EPAS column with a control unit to vary the EPAS level.

Have a nose here: www.super7thheaven.co.uk/blog/corsa-c-electric-power-steering-epas/

[natedog]

Thanks matey, that's exactly what I needed to know. Traditional hydraulic pas it is

[rhyds]

I think MK1 MINIs came with an electrically driven hydraulic PAS pump. Might be worth a look?

[Deleted]

LOL, convert your car to controller area network, ..

[Joepublic]

www.litesteer.com/

www.easysteer.co.uk/

[Karl]

Did the old campers that where recently still made in Mexico have pas ?

[studabear]

Quite a few people have adapted corsa columns/epsin the ford world, I've also seen the saxo/106 electric pumps used for hydraulic power steering where space for a belt driven pump was not available.

[Deleted]

What most dont seem to see is that these are interlinked with other systems on the car to work properly , you need some other form of control input or another control module totaly that will work the system, a totaly reworked system would work but not simple or cheap to do it properly,

[natedog]

The engine bay is huge, so space for a traditional belt driven pump shouldn't be a problem, would just need some very long hoses made up for it.

Buying a slightly newer golf or similar vag motor with a suitable lump in, and swapping across the electrickery complete had also been considered. As the front end running gear is being made up specially, I'd guess getting them to add suitable abs sensors wouldn't be that much of an issue. Don't know about the rears...

The idea of swapping climate control into it is appealing, but being realistic it'll be loads more work than I can be arsed with, and I'd just end up paying someone to do lots of wiring for me

[Joepublic]

Worthy of a book mark if you're still considering this?

www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?249213-Electric-power-steering-in-the-mk2

[natedog]

Ta will have a read over the weekend