[fransinge]

I understand some brilliant minds here mounted a electric power steering from Fiat on their spiders, how hard is that to do ? Any how to's on this forum ?
Otherwise, how difficult is it to build an original one from from a type 4 onto a non power steered type 3 ?

greetz,
Frans

 

[spiderserie4]

If you read up about "fiat electric power steering", you will see they are problem prone:
Power Steering Specialists - Western Power Steering - Fiat Punto Steering Units
- so not sure of that idea. Alfas have enough electrical problems, without adding another!
Converting an S3 to the S4 power steering would be very difficult and very costly - the frame mounting points for the power steering pump and idler are unique to the S4 - you'd be looking at a few thousand dollars for a chop and change and the box alone is 1800 bucks new if you can find it.

Lots of people have gone into this idea, but I have yet to see a thread where an owner has ended up doing it!

Cheaper would just be to buy an S4 - not much difference to an S3 (except the power steering)

 

[dvoyer]

Hi Frans,
I did the conversion on my S3. I didn't want to use Fiat Punto electric steering unit because they are problem prone as said spiderserie4. I use parts from a Vauxhall Corsa B. That's a strong system, very easy to convert with controller available on ebay. That's not a bolt-on afternoon project, but it's doable if you want to take your time and have access to basic tools, welder, grinder, etc.

The system works perfectly... in the garage !!! I have test it with engine weight simulated and I can turn the steering wheel easily with only one finger if I want it. I can adjust the assistance. I have no idea how I will have to adjust it on the road though.

You can take a look at my project, there are some pictures of the power steering conversion. If you want more detail I will provide all I can to help you.

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/spider-1966-up/154713-86-spider-complete-restoration-project.html

 

[fransinge]

Hi Dominique,

very impressive work done there, looks like scary irreversible stuff to me though, maybe one day when I also have a spider to spare in the backyard

Untill then I comfort myself with the knowledge that I'll be the only one driving when we go for a spin because my wife can't turn the wheel to get out of the garage or do a roundabout

Frans

 

[Alfacliff]

I remember a few recalls a while back on electric power steering, it seems that manufacturers dont put in limit switches, and turning the wheel to the limit overheats the electric motor. the only time I would need any power steering on my 74 is in parking lots. Some of the joy of driving my spider is the totally effortless steering on the road.
cliff

 

[spiderserie4]

I looked at your thread with the electric p/s method and thought hell with that, looks like too much work........so I bought an S4

Nevertheless great work there!

 

[dvoyer]

spiderserie4 you did the right move ! I won't try to say that my electric power-steering setup is an easy DIY project for everyone. At the beginning of my project I had the opportunity to buy a cheap S4 for parts. I thought first about using P/S parts of the S4 and fit it on my S3 but it's not an easy project either. After that I thought about using the S4 as base for my project. The S4's body was about in the same shape than the S3's body. I really like the front look of S4 but I prefer the rear look of S3, at least in black. I know that people usually don't like the hard plastic rear spoiler of S3 but even if it sounds strange I like it very much in black. That's a kind of coming out : I like S3's rear spoiler

That's one of the reasons why I've chosen to paint my project car in black (it was white originally). On my Silver S3 the black spoiler contrasts too much for my taste but it's not too bad.

Back to topic... it took me a lot of time to think and to fit my EPS system but as everything else if I had to do that again it would take a lot less time. The good thing about my setup is that everything is hidden. That gives me a cleaner engine bay look (without hydraulic hoses, etc) and nothing is apparent inside either. I hope the feeling will be great on the road though. I can adjust the steering assistance and many rally racers use that same setup in UK, I assume that the road feeling will be good. I will let you know as soon as I can test it... but not really soon in fact !!! Maybe next Summer.. or the next...