TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Installing electric power steering in my Triumph TR6 made sense since parking it with the 245/45/17” front tires made it a bear to turn. What complicated my installation was the fact that I am using the GM tilt column from a Pontiac Fiero. Although it is just about the shortest tilt column you will find, the end of it still extends into the engine compartment, putting the EPS unit outside the interior space. The complication arises because the ignition and high-beam switches are mounted on the outside of the column, down low, and I did not want to disturb them.
A search on Google brought me to a well described EPS installation in a Pontiac Fiero. Perfect for me. This also went through the whole assembly process of the column itself. Included was a link to learning all you ever wanted to know about your tilt column. EPS install in a 1986 Fiero GT: [www.fiero.nl] Inside GM Tilt Column: [www.fiero.nl] The most challenging part of my installation was attaching the EPS unit to the bottom of the column when they are on either side of the firewall. Hopefully I won’t have to remove it any time soon. Providing torque supports for the EPS unit was important. Fabrication After determining the placement of the EPS, I trimmed the GM column housing down to the needed length. I fabricated an adaptor sleeve to go between the salvaged EPS mounting base and the now cut column. After clocking it for correct orientation, the base was welded on. With that length set, I assembled the inner shaft using the salvaged EPS female spline and adaptor tube, fabricated on a lathe to go between that spline and the tilt column ¾” D shaft. The Fiero website describes 3 different variations of this adaptation. After trimming the EPS of unnecessary brackets, it was cleaned and painted. To provide torque support for it, I fabricated a pedestal to attach at the motor and an L bracket at the gear box end. Some re-working of the pedal box area of the TR6 was necessary. Electrics I salvaged the original Saturn Vue 30 Amp fuse holder which was mounted on the firewall. The potentiometer was mounted next to my headlight switch, below the dash. The controller box and Bruno box were mounted under the dash on the passenger side. This meant I had to extend the OEM wires that go between the motor and the controller box. Otherwise, the wiring was pretty straight forward as with all other EPS installations. Steering Shaft With a different output spline from what the original column had, I had to fabricate a new shaft. More lathe and welding work. Do I like it? You bet I do. Not only is parking is a breeze, working the tight switch back turns in the Appalachian Mountains is so much more enjoyable. I find the potentiometer is a set and forget affair. I may wire in a switched circuit that has a pre-set resistor of my choice. EPS mounting base, adapter sleeve + column housing: EPS female spline and fabricated adapter tube: |
TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
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TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
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kstevusa kelly stevenson Southern Middle Tennessee (985 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 09:37AM Main British Car: 2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Nice Job Ken, "slick as as a Babys's Butt". The Dragon Beacons!
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6470 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Very nice work Ken. You've gotten really good at this sort of thing.
Jim |
Jim Stabe Jim Stabe San Diego, Ca (829 posts) Registered: 02/28/2009 10:01AM Main British Car: 1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Nice work on the EPS. How about an update on your Jag journal... Should be just about finished by now.
Jim |
TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Jim Stabe,
The next update on my Jag Journal will probably be the EPS installation. Ken |
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Charles Charles Long McDonald, TN (177 posts) Registered: 09/15/2013 08:54AM Main British Car: 1966 MGB V6 1994 Camaro 3.4L 60V6 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Ken, welcome to the darker side. Both of you guys will be amazed at how much better the driving is.
One of my car friends down in GA. has installed a EPS in his Fiero, the one with a Cady engine. See you in Townsend shortly. charles I see you have GM cruise also. Question what is the set point for cruise? |
TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Charles,
What do you mean by set point? The cruise control in my TR6 is all OEM GM stuff controlled from the steering column stalk. Ken |
Charles Charles Long McDonald, TN (177 posts) Registered: 09/15/2013 08:54AM Main British Car: 1966 MGB V6 1994 Camaro 3.4L 60V6 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Ken, I forgot to mention how nice the install looks, but what can one say, your work is always top notch.
Guess what, now you guys will be able to one hand through the auto crosses, maybe cut time a few seconds. You may need a three way switch, driving, parking, then auto cross. Set point, is the minimum speed at which you can you set cruise? |
BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6470 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
I think a set point of 25 mph would be good. For school zones.
Jim |
Charles Charles Long McDonald, TN (177 posts) Registered: 09/15/2013 08:54AM Main British Car: 1966 MGB V6 1994 Camaro 3.4L 60V6 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Got to see this install first hand in Townsend, Tn, "Over the top" clearly a lot of thought and planning.
Well done, enjoy. Good to see You and Katie again. charles |
TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Khan,
By calibration, do you mean the potentiometer setting? Quote: "I find the potentiometer is a set and forget affair. I may wire in a switched circuit that has a pre-set resistor of my choice". Right now, the pot is set at about 2/3 rds. Ken |
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DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Done a bunch of the EPS conversions now. (17 and counting) I don't ever think that I will even consider a hydraulic system again!
At one point I considered a variable assist circuit based on vehicle speed. To a person, all of my customers said that it wasn't required. Everyone had found a sweetspot on the adjustment and left it there. Live like you mean it. Fred Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2016 12:40PM by DiDueColpi. |
TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
Conner,
The pot and wiring diagram is included with the Bruno Box. Here's the link on EBay: [www.ebay.ca] Ken |
TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: Electric Power Steering on a GM Tilt Column
I finally got around to installing a "preset" circuit and switch for the amount of steering assist I want. I found I was checking the position of the potentiometer unnecessarily as I never really moved it off the 2/3 rds. spot. Having the rocker switch at preset gives me that, or "off preset" lets me adjust further.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/2017 06:45AM by TR6-6SPD. |