My Power Steering Conversion

[Bill_VA]

Well, I finally did it. I did some extensive homework on this forum and talked to some tech reps from steering companies and went to work. I had the Flaming River manual rack with the SAI mod and at speed the car was quite managable, but at parking lot/driveway speeds the car was an arm full.

I gotta tell you, if you're on the fence about going power steering or not, DO IT!! Don't let others tell you otherwise, it makes the car handle soooo much better. After turning in to the same corner to come into my neighborhood, at speed, and knowing instinctively when and where to turn in, the power steering is the most amazing thing. I can now turn in so fast that I have had to watch myself to keep from hitting the inside curb. Amazing steering response.

Here's what I got:

• AGR rack P/N 712591, made just for Cobra replicas ($381)
• KRC aluminum pump P/N 20005 000 ($192)
• KRC 4.2" aluminum pulley P/N 20015 007 ($67)
• KRC pump-mounted reservoir P/N 91312 000 ($99)
• Russell hose and ends ($100)
• CV Products aluminum pump mount P/N CV222-SBF-LTW ($65)
• FF5 steering shaft ($185)
• Edelbrock water pump P/N 8845 ($250)

I had a standard rotation water pump and the serpentine belt only drove the alternator and water pump. To drive the power steering pump, I had to run the belt under the water pump which neccessitated changing to a reverse-rotation water pump. I had a machine shop mill off the grooves on my existing March water pump pulley, and drill new mounting holes (also got a new March pulley cover to fit the new bolt pattern. The CV products mount came with a gray anodizing that I didn't want so I polished it and treated it and the polished water pump with SharkHide (see FFmetal, he sells it).






By the way, the cheesy mounting bolt setup above is temporary, couldn't find the right one at the time.

[Real2Me]

Very nice job. You got me thinking now!!

[gseguy]

I love mine, but everyone has their own thoughts about it.

Your set up looks real nice.

Skip

[CobraDreaming]

That's real nice looking. You mind throwing up the breakdown of the costs for the parts?

[hind sight]

Bill super install Well thought out upgrade. And yes power steering is great..

[convoyhank]

Or these work well also. Look awesome.

http://www.conceptonepulleys.com/powersteering.htm

HB

[Frank Messina]

That's a real nice looking setup Bill, glad to hear you're enjoying it so much. Just curious if you are satisfied with the amount of assist you're getting at highway speeds.
Frank

[Bill_VA]

Frank, absolutely. I never really minded the steering effort at higher speeds with the manual rack. But the power rack is just right, IMO. AGR designed this rack to be just right for our 2400lb cars.

I am going to have to install 1/2" steering limiters on the rack though, just a bit too much steering for my 255 front tires.

[David Borden]

Bill,

What size crank pulley are you running? What RPM do you run the motor too?

David

[QSL]

I will admit, i was anti power steering during go kart because it was so easy to steer. The problem came when the body was mounted. You cant steer with your left hand because your arm sits on the door. So your only steering with your right hand. Its a lot harder with the body on VS off. I am still running with it, but just something to think about that i did not.

[Bill_VA]

I'm running a 6" March crank pulley, and idle is around 950rpm and redline is 6k. I spoke with the guys at KRC and AGR to make sure the pump produced enough pressure at idle to be effective, but not too much pressure at redline. Some guys have reported issues with their AGR racks, but mine has been flawless and maintenance free for 4+ years and 8k miles.

I know what you mean about the steering effort when in gokart phase. In real life driving I found the steering effort was too much at slow speeds. With this PS setup, I feel like the overall amount of effort at all speeds to be just right. QSL, I won't say "I told you so", so I'll just say "I informed you thusly." LOL

[CraigS]

Bill, was the water pump a straight swap of pumps only or did you have to replace the front cover too.

[Bill_VA]

Just a straight swap, only the water pump.

[Bill3422]

Good question Craig,

I had to change my cover as well. Apparently the '95 donor is very specific with this and many other items.

[tyger427]

Did you change the flow valve in the pump?

[Bill_VA]

Nope, the stock valve was just right.

[emac]

Bill, that is a nice setup. When I started my build I had a vision of an ugly OE pump and hoses running around the engine bay. Yours looks great.

I have been thinking of adding PS over the winter (easier for the wife to drive). Debating on Fast Freddies or something like this. I have heard that the electric makes a distinct noise, but may be more tunable. Anyone played with both?

[Avalanche325]

Do you realize how much you just cost me?

I was planning on a stock type pump. But, man that thing is puuuurrrrrty.

[emac]

Originally Posted by Avalanche325

Do you realize how much you just cost me?

I was planning on a stock type pump. But, man that thing is puuuurrrrrty.

The original post was from 2008 and it is still doing its job! I am sure the price of the parts have increased.

[rich grsc]

They have a complete kit. If you buy it that way instead of individually its a little cheaper.

[emac]

Originally Posted by rich grsc

They have a complete kit. If you buy it that way instead of individually its a little cheaper.

Who has the kit?

[rich grsc]

Their prices have gone up!!!!!!
Product - KRC 28620 111
Now if you have a bit more to spend, This is the ticket.
http://www.krcpower.com/catalog_i112...l?catId=366492

[Bill_VA]

Rich, keep in mind that for that first link there, that's for the pump, reservoir, pulley, and mount. Sure, it went up about $90. Here is all the KRC stuff I got in one package (Product - KRC 20002 107), I didn't care for their mount.

[lmmargheritis]

Found the same kit at this site but not sure what a good price is.

Southwest Speed - Manufacturing, Warehousing, and Distributing Race Car Parts Since 1975.

Originally Posted by Bill_VA

Rich, keep in mind that for that first link there, that's for the pump, reservoir, pulley, and mount. Sure, it went up about $90. Here is all the KRC stuff I got in one package (Product - KRC 20002 107), I didn't care for their mount.

[Bill_VA]

$530 seems a bit steep for the pump, reservoir, and pulley. I paid $358 four years ago.

It looks like the KRC website is undergoing changes, I'd call them and ask them about p/n KRC 20002 107.

As a four year update, I've had zero issues with this power steering setup, I haven't touched it. No leaks, no problems.

[Bob Cowan]

Double post, for some odd reason.

[Bob Cowan]

I'll be doing this same change in the next 2-3 months. Using pretty much the same parts.

Can you tell me about the hoses? In particular, the -6 pump to rack line. That line see's something like 1100psi, and uses specific hose and fittings. How is the assembly procedure for putting the fittings on the ends of the lines? Same as any other braided steel AN line? Anything different than putting a fitting on the end of a -6 fuel line?

I have been looking at the steering racks. AGR sells a rack for hot rods and Mustangs for $328. And a different one specifically for Cobra replica kits for $429. The description is exactly the same, except for the power valve:

Cobra: ".265 special Cobra pinion valve"
Hot Rod and Mustang: ".230 firm pinion valve"

The Cobra Kit power valve gives a heavier feel, and prevents the twitchyness that everyone complains about with the standard Mustang PS system. Sort of like a built in Heidts valve - that isn't adjustable.

Since the KRC pump has it's own power valve, maybe getting the lighter .230 valve for the rack and using cheaper and easy to replace valve in the pump would work better and save money? This is the route I'm considering, since it's easy to remove hydraulic assist, and difficult to add it.

[Bill_VA]

I made my own hoses, almost just as easy as making regular AN hoses. Russell's website has detailed instructions.

The only thing I'd do differently in my conversion is having the whole belt surface of the water pump pulley machined off to make it flat. I had them machine off the grooves, but I should have just made it flat.

Bob, I hear you about the extra cost for the Cobra-tuned rack, but do you really want to cheap out now? You've invested (spent) so much already, what's another C-note to get a rack that's made and tuned for your 2400lb car vs rack made for a car weighing a half a ton more?

[Don Payne]

Originally Posted by Bill_VA

$530 seems a bit steep for the pump, reservoir, and pulley. I paid $358 four years ago.

It looks like the KRC website is undergoing changes, I'd call them and ask them about p/n KRC 20002 107.

As a four year update, I've had zero issues with this power steering setup, I haven't touched it. No leaks, no problems.

FYI, they lost their supplier for the aluminum casings about a year ago and took forever to get a new supplier. I believe that is what drove the price up so high. They made me wait for about 6 mo. with no ETA after I paid for it...I ended up just buying the cast iron version from Speedway Motors much cheaper.

[Bob Cowan]

Originally Posted by Bill_VA

Bob, I hear you about the extra cost for the Cobra-tuned rack, but do you really want to cheap out now? You've invested (spent) so much already, what's another C-note to get a rack that's made and tuned for your 2400lb car vs rack made for a car weighing a half a ton more?

I'm not that concerned about the cost. I'm shelling out the extra bux for the KRC pump set up, because I want the best components for the job.

I was thinking that the Cobra and Cobra R racks have a heavier feel than a standard Mustang rack. Which is probably a good thing. But there's no way to increase the level of power assist; It can easily be decreased by changing the flow valve in the pump.

If I start out with a light power valve with lots of hydraulic assist, then I can change the flow valve to decrease it to where I want it. It saves a few bux, but not enough to be a decision maker.

If I was going to use a stock Ford or GM pump, then the decision would be easy.

As a side note: Last week I was doing my research. I read through the KRC web site, along with a few others. It seemed like the best place to buy the pump kit was directly from KRC - it was significantly cheaper for exactly the same parts.

Yesterday I went back to the same site - it's all changed! I can't find the information I found last week. And it doesn't look like they sell directly to the public any more.