Redline96LX

Converting a EG or EK Civic to electric power steering?

I am looking for information on this topic, as well as a PIC request. Converting an EK chassis to have Electric P/S.
Does anyone HAVE electric power steering on their EK? Here are two links to information for those who don't really know what this is.

http://www.insightcentral.net/....html

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Technical/eps.htm

I'm looking for people who want to do this, who have it, how they did it, dimensions of power steering racks, etc. Id rather this be a informative thread, argue in another one. I'll sum up your arguements right here though.

Has anyone simply hooked up an electric motor with a pump mechanism on it to simply have an electric motor push the fluid through the steering rack?
I'm thinkin, nick the motor off a Honda Insight or somethin, bolt it to the firewall, and attch a pump mechanism and resovoir somehow.

Pros: Less parasitic drag (better MPG, a extra HP or two), less weight, shifted weight slightly more to the center of the car, better control, one less fluid to change,

Cons: Time consuming, not terribly cost effective, Slight increase in MPG and parasitic drag (below like 10mph but only if you drove in circles all the time at 10mph), probably no bolt on rack to do this, possible wiring issues.

Anyone have specs on the 7th gen civic Hybrid or Insight steering racks? I'm guessin on a 7th gen civic, this could be easier to do. Yeah I'll cut tie rods if needed, and alter some stuff.

I have searched but found minimal info.

k24em2

Just get a rack off the new civic si.

Redline96LX

how compatible is that gonna be? will it fit? does it have a separate ECU for the ****?

Nameless RB26

I don't understand why you are doing this. If I were you, I'd just ditch power steering overall and go without.

But besides for my .2 cents, I think it'd be cool if you completed it within a reasonable budget.. because honestly, for a couple horsepower, it's not worth a ton of money.

Redline96LX

most of my mods are because of cost. I will have to find all used parts, and I clean, rebuild, and fabricate all the stuff myself because If i had the cash, id simply buy a S2000 steering rack and pay a shop a lot of money to change and weld the new brackets for me. Also, I simply don't want a manual steering rack. If I had it, id be okay, but I'm going to a wider track and wider tire, and because of the increase in scrub radius, I will have more feedback but it will take signifigantly more work to turn the wheel, and thats just no fun, workin so hard to turn 235mm tires on 21lb rims on fucked up asphalt at 5 miles an hour.

EMod Civic

I have electric power steering in my EP Civic (1986 model). I did it because I wanted power steering to help me turn the 9.5" slicks. I was going to have to fabricate brackets for a pump anyway, and the electric pump was lighter and easier to mount anyway. I used the pump from a 2nd gen MR2. It's an electric over hydraulic pump, which weighs about 10lbs. All I did was get new lines made up to connect it to the Integra rack I'm using. I got the pump used or $50. I also like not having to worry about belts breaking.

-Chris

Def

How is the steering feel with something like that? One thing I've heard is that electric PS systems sometime have really dull feel, especially off center.

MidShipCivic

Electric power steering sucks, its doesn't do well underload.

ManBearPig4silly

electric powersterring is sweet. Matt Johnston has it in his national championship winning rally EG civic. He's RallyMatt on ef-honda.com if you want to know more.

Redline96LX

yea im thinkin if you have a electric motor run the pump, then you'll have the same feel, minus engine parasitic losses.

pdiggitydogg

Ive often wondered about this - good to see some info

Redline96LX

bump for some more info?

sweet_machinery

Is keeping the stock pump a requirement? You can get an electric hydraulic pump. They're not very expensive. You will have to get new hydraulic lines made, or make them yourself. Any hydraulics shop can do this, and the better ones will bend lines to your specs. You can bend a piece of stiff wire to the shape of your new hose and they can follow it.

Go to northerntool.com and browse their hydraulics section for ideas.

Redline96LX

Thats a good idea. But I know nothing of electric hydraulic pumps. Where can I find out what flow the stock one does so I know what electric pump to buy?

EMod Civic

Just stick with an electric pump made for power steering. There are actully quite a few cars that have used them. I got mine from a 2nd gen MR2. The later MR2 spider also uses an electric pump, as do some older Subaru XT-6 or something like that. The MR2 pump is a pretty sweet unit, nice and small, lightweight, and not really that pricy. I think new they are around $400 from Toyota, used are around $50 - $150.

-Chris

Redline96LX

That sounds pretty good. Do you have any pictures of your engine bay of how this is mounted? Cause I'm gonna consider this.

Redline96LX

bump from the past for pics?