Power Steering Options for LS1 Conversion

[cvbowers]

My car has been restored and converted to an LS1. We used manual steering for the build. I am exploring putting some sort of power steering system in the car. I am interested in seeing or hearing about what experiences others have had, what parts they recommend?

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by cvbowers

My car has been restored and converted to an LS1. We used manual steering for the build. I am exploring putting some sort of power steering system in the car. I am interested in seeing or hearing about what experiences others have had, what parts they recommend?

Charlie, I would use the standard bits that came with the car but fit a pressure reducer so you can tune the weight of the steering. I am going to look at fitting a reducer to my car as my current co-driver struggles with the light weight and lack of feel of the current system. It doesn't stop him from doing great times but doesn't fill him with confidence.

Do you have the pump and rack that were removed?

Kel.

[cvbowers]

Yes, I have the parts that came off the car. They are worn and need to be replaced. There are small leaks. I am sourcing the rack that was in the car. It is a Ford rack and is discontinued. Have reached out to A1 Cardone for a replacement. I am thinking of going with a Turn One Pump that has variable boost. What do you think?

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by cvbowers

Yes, I have the parts that came off the car. They are worn and need to be replaced. There are small leaks. I am sourcing the rack that was in the car. It is a Ford rack and is discontinued. Have reached out to A1 Cardone for a replacement. I am thinking of going with a Turn One Pump that has variable boost. What do you think?

Sounds like a good plan Charlie, had a look at the Turn One site, gear looks the part. Has got me thinking about their adjustable flow valve for my car. Pricey but a lot easier and cheaper than some other options.

How has the car been going, have you been using it much?

Kel.

[cvbowers]

Originally Posted by NZGTRA17

Sounds like a good plan Charlie, had a look at the Turn One site, gear looks the part. Has got me thinking about their adjustable flow valve for my car. Pricey but a lot easier and cheaper than some other options.

How has the car been going, have you been using it much?

Kel.

Turn One does a lot of the pump programs for the NASCAR teams. They are well respected here in the states.

We have not used the car nearly as much as we would have liked to. Had a few issues we had to work out. Had a problem with the coil pack coupler that caused a misfire in the passenger rear cylinder. Not a big deal, but it was hard to diagnose. All well now. Had an oil leak in the new oil pan at the oil galley return. It was a supplier defect and the pan has been replaced. The shop I used to replace the pan went over it and tig welded,reinforced every area that could cause a problem. It works perfectly now.

The car performs really well now. Just thinking about a power steering system now. I am going to add a larger steering wheel to see how that works with the manual rack that is now in the car. The manual steering does offer good feel. We will see how that works while sourcing the steering system we have been discussing.

[Cobra4B]

1 1993 Mustang power steering rack - available many sources

1 C5 power steering bracket - cut alternator bracket off like on my car

1 Turn one C5 power steering pump

1 LS2 power steering pulley - What's on my car

1 cooler, doesn't need to be big, lots of generic kids out there

Make lines as needed. The only custom part that will need to be sourced will be the high pressure line going from the GM pump to the ford rack. Given all the swaps out there I'm sure a swap company makes one... it's just a matter of if it's the right shape given the fact that the LS1 and mustang rack are in a Panoz vs. in a Mustang as the part will be made for someone putting a LS1 in a Mustang chassis (common with drag racers).

There are hydraulic line shops local to me that can make anything you want in any shape/configuration needed.

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

1 1993 Mustang power steering rack - available many sources

1 C5 power steering bracket - cut alternator bracket off like on my car

1 Turn one C5 power steering pump

1 LS2 power steering pulley - What's on my car

1 cooler, doesn't need to be big, lots of generic kids out there

Make lines as needed. The only custom part that will need to be sourced will be the high pressure line going from the GM pump to the ford rack. Given all the swaps out there I'm sure a swap company makes one... it's just a matter of if it's the right shape given the fact that the LS1 and mustang rack are in a Panoz vs. in a Mustang as the part will be made for someone putting a LS1 in a Mustang chassis (common with drag racers).

There are hydraulic line shops local to me that can make anything you want in any shape/configuration needed.

Thanks Brian.

Post some pics of your Vette with the aero additions Brian. Keen to have a look.

Kel.

[Cobra4B]

Set the new class track record last time out with a 1:59.4 lap. Been doing more time trials than racing due to low turn out. Would rather race the clock than race nobody for 40 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L01j...Al1ifhcfc6gIrQ

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

Set the new class track record last time out with a 1:59.4 lap. Been doing more time trials than racing due to low turn out. Would rather race the clock than race nobody for 40 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L01j...Al1ifhcfc6gIrQ

Looks great Brian and enjoyed the video clip. Assume you have a shift warning buzzer fitted now? Looks like you have to stretch it a few times to save change up then straight down? What RPM are you running to now?

What does the underside of the splitter look like Brian, does it have any diffuser sections in it? Have just finished putting diffusers in my splitter and will post pics for your dad. Picked up a metal stretcher / shrinker set for $250 which has allowed me to do lots of stuff that I couldn't before. Needed it to put curves into extrusion to do the diffusers and curved canards.

Kel.

[Cobra4B]

Originally Posted by NZGTRA17

Looks great Brian and enjoyed the video clip. Assume you have a shift warning buzzer fitted now? Looks like you have to stretch it a few times to save change up then straight down? What RPM are you running to now?

What does the underside of the splitter look like Brian, does it have any diffuser sections in it? Have just finished putting diffusers in my splitter and will post pics for your dad. Picked up a metal stretcher / shrinker set for $250 which has allowed me to do lots of stuff that I couldn't before. Needed it to put curves into extrusion to do the diffusers and curved canards.

Kel.

No shift warning... can do it by ear mostly, but on the straights I use my old drag racing skills and quickly glance down as I know I'm close to the limiter. You're right... I'm in the limiter in 4th on the straights... was trying holding it at limit (6600 - stock) vs. shifting to 5th. I need to bump the limiter to 6900 and just hold 4th.

The undertray is very basic... just a sheet of alumalite, no tunneling or anything fancy as the competition doesn't warrant it. You can buy those, but I'm frugal. As for the rear there is no diffuser. Some guys run them but it requires having good trans/diff coolers and re-doing the exhaust.

[Cobra4B]

Kel here's the lap with data overlay. I thought that's what I had originally posted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ9L...Al1ifhcfc6gIrQ

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

Kel here's the lap with data overlay. I thought that's what I had originally posted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ9L...Al1ifhcfc6gIrQ

Nice work Brian, really enjoyed watching the hot lap. If you haven't got a shift buzzer in the car there is something that is buzzing right around shift time.......!! Have a listen and see if you can pick it up.

Like the splitter, wing and new bonnet treatment. How much did the combination drop your lap times by?

Kel.

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by NZGTRA17

Nice work Brian, really enjoyed watching the hot lap. If you haven't got a shift buzzer in the car there is something that is buzzing right around shift time.......!! Have a listen and see if you can pick it up.

Like the splitter, wing and new bonnet treatment. How much did the combination drop your lap times by?

Kel.

PS - went down to Christchurch to watch the South Island Endurance series in the weekend. A guy was running a Corvette C6R. Was going really well and hot shoeing it with the fastest Porsche 997GT3's until he had an engine bay fire. Pretty spectacular hitting 140 - 150mph with massive flames coming out under the car. That was the end of his race unfortunately!!

[Cobra4B]

Originally Posted by NZGTRA17

Like the splitter, wing and new bonnet treatment. How much did the combination drop your lap times by?

I hear the noise too, but don't hear it in the car driving. I think it's the camera mount or case vibrating or something like the fire bottle pin or the cool shirt hoses when not connected, but nope... no shift buzzer

Lots of variables as VIR was repaved over the winter and 2 areas of the track are wider and the fresh pavement was VERY grippy most of the year; but it seems to now be wearing off. My old track record pre-aero with 365 rwhp was 2:03.4. Now with 386 rwhp, aero, coilovers, and the track changes my 1:59.4 was the record for the new updated class, but that was broken this weekend by another guy who managed a 1:58.8. I was only able to muster a 2:00.2 as the track was slick all over. My data shows it. Comparing this weekend's 2:00.2 vs. my 1:59.4 I'm faster into every turn, hold higher speeds in most all, but accelerate out worse everywhere. Also went 151 on the back straight vs. my normal high 140 so shifting into 5th is better than holding 4th.



Haven't processed the videos yet... will do that tonight. Lots of sliding around!

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

I hear the noise too, but don't hear it in the car driving. I think it's the camera mount or case vibrating or something like the fire bottle pin or the cool shirt hoses when not connected, but nope... no shift buzzer

Lots of variables as VIR was repaved over the winter and 2 areas of the track are wider and the fresh pavement was VERY grippy most of the year; but it seems to now be wearing off. My old track record pre-aero with 365 rwhp was 2:03.4. Now with 386 rwhp, aero, coilovers, and the track changes my 1:59.4 was the record for the new updated class, but that was broken this weekend by another guy who managed a 1:58.8. I was only able to muster a 2:00.2 as the track was slick all over. My data shows it. Comparing this weekend's 2:00.2 vs. my 1:59.4 I'm faster into every turn, hold higher speeds in most all, but accelerate out worse everywhere. Also went 151 on the back straight vs. my normal high 140 so shifting into 5th is better than holding 4th.



Haven't processed the videos yet... will do that tonight. Lots of sliding around!

Great, look forward to checking the vid out. What coil over setup did you fit?