Convert to power steering
 

OK, I know I've seen it somewhere in this forum- have searched but can not find. Looking for a company that builds manual to power steering rack conversion with electric pump for pre '89 cars.
Thanks

Are you crazy? Why have a pre-1989 911 with its wonderful steering feel and ruin it with power steering?

Crazy? Maybe. The wonderful steering is pretty heavy at low speeds (Auto-X) and nine inch rims/tires on the front and, combined with a pretty severely ruptured disc in my lower back, it can wear me out. Anyway, as I recall it was pretty expensive to do. Mostly I just wanted to find the link again. Frustrates me when I search and search and can't find it. Maybe it was on Rennlist.

Relax- sometimes people need to modify their vehicles in order to enjoy them despite physical set-backs. Rather than chastise, why not either point to the info the poster seeks, or inquire tactfully in order to gain a greater understanding?

Noob.

Fitch, it might have been more tactful to say "sacrilege" in a loud voice :D

Actually, Porsche did a good job engineering power steering for the 964. I think that most of us would who own or have owned the older, manual steering cars would enjoy the feel of it. It would be a major undertaking to adapt such a system to an earlier car, however.

Smart Racing sell and electric power steering rack I think.
-Chris

Thanks Chris - I see Smart Racing has the unit I was trying to remember. At almost $4K, I doubt I'll do it - probably makes more sense to change to a 964. The "season" is just starting here in south Florida, Ill see how it goes.

A couple of less expensive suggestions.

1. Too much caster can make the steering a little heavy. If you are up near 6-7 degrees, try backing off to 4.5 - 5deg or a little less. A local friend with a cab thought his steering was heavy just because the cab was heavier(than his coupe) until he changed the caster setting and found it to be a much easier driving car.
2. Since you are doing autocross you could try a little toe-out in front. It will make the turn entries take a "set" just a little quicker and ease the steering effort a little. The downside is it will tend to follow ruts in the road a little more and be a little more skittish at higher speeds.

My 0.02,

+1

My wife swears our SC has power steering.

Too much negative camber will make it feel heavy also.

I applaud you trying to keep your 911 even with physical issues.

Try adjusting (decreasing) the caster, as Rob says. With a lot of caster, you are literally lifting the front end of the car when you turn. Less caster will be easier. You'll really notice it.

The downside is that it won't track quite as well on the highway, and won't return to center by itself after a turn quite as quickly.

I had a 69 bug that I increased the caster on - a lot - it was really a bear to parallel park, and stock they're really easy.

Try it before you do anything else. If you don't like it, it's fully reversible. And mere pennies compared to power steering or a new car.

A number of things affect the steering weight. Camber and caster as above, but there is much more.

You have 9 inch wheels. Is this a wide body car?

Wheel offset has a big impact on steering weight. This can be due to the offset built into the wheel and/or wheel spacers. Spacing the wheel centerline out increases the steering weight.

Tire pressure also has a big impact. If you're running low pressure now, try inflating your tires to the rated maximum. 5-10 lbs of pressure makes a big difference is steering weight, and it's a lot cheaper and quicker than putting in a power steering rack.

Do you have coil overs? Coils need seat bearings or the spring winds up when turning. This makes for very heavy steering. If you have seat bearings, check to see if they need replacement.

Monoball strut tops lighten steering feel too. They allow the strut to rotate at the bearing, instead of the shock wiper seals.