Topic: Kappa Electric Power Steering

[Steelmesh]

I deleted my PS pump. While driving around parking lots, I can tell autocross is not an ideal application with my current setup. I'd prefer to build XP autocrossing before sending it on an expensive track. Drag racing and higher speed turning is fine without power steering.

Anyone have experience with electric power steering pumps on racecars?  I am suffering from slight analysis paralysis. 

I've looked at driving the stock kappa pump with a DC motor (expensive, needs engineering time) and 12V hydraulic power units (way too bulky/ heavy).  Now I see this has been used in automotive applications already engineered to work with 12V and be lightweight.  Multiple options here it appears, but the modern ones are CAN controlled apparently. 

 

[Uranium-238]

No experience with electric power steering on racecars, but you could make the argument that the wife's Charger is close to that...

In that car, electric power steering is way less bad than I expected it would be. The first car I've driven with it, and while it is a bit less direct than hydraulic it's still fine.

Honestly, the ability to have multiple power settings makes up for any lack of directness. The Charger has "Comfort", "Normal" and "Sport" steering modes, with differing levels of steering boost. Nice to be able to switch between comfort, which is quite boosted, on the highway, to sport, which is very heavy and direct in in the corners.

[Steelmesh]

No experience with electric power steering on racecars, but you could make the argument that the wife's Charger is close to that...

In that car, electric power steering is way less bad than I expected it would be. The first car I've driven with it, and while it is a bit less direct than hydraulic it's still fine.

Honestly, the ability to have multiple power settings makes up for any lack of directness. The Charger has "Comfort", "Normal" and "Sport" steering modes, with differing levels of steering boost. Nice to be able to switch between comfort, which is quite boosted, on the highway, to sport, which is very heavy and direct in in the corners.

My Cruze and Volt has electric power assist using a motor, they look like the same unit.  The assist level with the Cruze when stopped is super light but when you're at speed, it is too much assist.  If you sneeze you're on the rumble strips, with the Volt it is a bit heavier on the wheel and the chassis setup is a bit boat-like compared to the Cruze.

What I am looking at for the kappa is a hydraulic pump, I'd consider making it switchable to use in parking lots (including autocross haha). 

[DeepBlueGXP]

MY G6 has electric PS, there is a hefty electronic module mounted on the steering column that drives the rack