BritishV8 Forum

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:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/095326.html
Inside GM Tilt Column:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/088020-3.html#p111


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:

Assembled inner steering shaft:


Pre-assembly column components:


Assembled GM Tilt Column with EPS:

Main components:


Potentiometer:


Controller and Bruno box:


Finished Electric Power Steering:

Nice Job Ken,  "slick as as a Babys's Butt".  The Dragon Beacons!

Very nice work Ken. You've gotten really good at this sort of thing.

Jim

Nice work on the EPS. How about an update on your Jag journal... Should be just about finished by now.

Jim

Jim Stabe,
The next update on my Jag Journal will probably be the EPS installation.
Ken

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?

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

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?

I think a set point of 25 mph would be good. For school zones.

Jim

Jim,
I do in fact use the cruise for that, (25 mph school zone).
Ken

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

Great Job, How about the calibration?

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

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

Hey, where did you get the pot and Bruno box and do you have a wiring diagram for the electronics?

Conner,
The pot and wiring diagram is included with the Bruno Box.
Here's the link on EBay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=182008071875
Ken

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.

Ford light switches....