Mini Cooper electric power steering
 

Anybody use an electric power steering pump from a Mini Cooper for an EHPS conversion? after driving In CSP for autocross for a couple years then Jumping back into the SSM car I want power steering. Stock pump wont fit. I see Toyota Pumps Volvo pumps and other examples and it seem all of them are driven with way different control systems than the car they came from most of them were originally connected to a Vehicle speed, steering angle and a bunch of other input signals , can buss, or have a separate controller to vary voltage. Used prices on the very popular Toyota pumps is like they are Gold plated even though they look like rusted out pieces of shit. Mini ones are relatively cheap made by ZF. looking up the wiring diagram it looks like they are dirt simple in comparison. Power and ground run Straight to the battery, plus a wire to the ignition switch and the alternator charge light wire. Internal wiring circuit looks like it's designed to just run continuously and turns on after the engine starts running enough that the alternator starts charging no additional relays or circuitry needed I think. Pretty much how you would want it to work as a straight replacement for a mechanical pump.

Yes we’ve used it on an m3, you just need to mount it low enough so the reservoir is above it. We mounted them a little too close together and it would starve the pump in corners :( we also use some Porsche cup car pumps that have a built in reservoir on top. They’re $600 used, ~$1600 new though.

Which MINI are you referring to? This looks a lot like a 1st gen pump, which are notorious for failing among MINI owners.

I'm aware of the failures. 1 is the pump never turning off until you disconnect the battery I'm hoping that problem is fixed after there was a recall. The other is from the cooling fan motor burning up and catching fire after it gets jammed with road debree My wife's mini did this.

My plan is to mount it in the back of the car underneath somewhere by the stock fuel pump and mount the reservoir above it in the trunk. Should have ample height.

Interesting looks like this place is selling it as a universal kit. They installed it in an Mr2
https://www.ultimatepowersteering.co...ring-pump-kit/

Following. This looks like it has potential for me for two main reasons.

1. I've played with spring preload and restrictors in the return line, but I can't stop the OE NA pump from saturating, particularly during a snap oversteer event with 9Js....
2. Both NA and NB pump outlet lines don't seem to last very long on track - I probably need to start lifing them yearly!

The current draw on these can be very high (80A+ in a transient)... Is there a larger alternator that can be used? I'd prefer not to use a VVT alternator since it will eat up one of my ECU outputs....

Three further thoughts,
1. I've heard about pumps with variable pressure control that I have heard of people using to change the assist levels, eg Citroen Saxo pump retrofitted.
2. Pumps that want a CAN BUS vehicle speed do this for stability at speed while keeping low parking efforts. Ie they give lots of assist at 0mph for dry steering, but less at high speed so the car isn't darty. These usually default to assuming high speed if it loses the signal. But perhaps something clever could be done with a Megasquirt or Arduino for adjustable PAS effort.
3. Some pumps have the reservoir integrated. This could be nice for plumbing, though may not be easy to package. For example

curious why you would switch to this pump on an M3 versus stock steering?

Yea im kind of worried about the alternator. currently running a small light weight 90 amp unit sourced from a Suzuki Samurai. Other changes I'm doing however is going to 295 width tires with 12" wheels which will come with having to add 200 lbs to the weight of the car per the rules I'm building to. Thinking big ass heavy battery instead of my 2.5lb one might do the trick and help with the nose heavy weight distribution.

There's a electric PS kit that's about 1k. I'd have to dig through the for sale section to find the person who posted it.

The ones that replace the column with a fully electric system I don't think are legal in SSM if that's the one you are talking about. The one I posted from Australia above is about 8 or 900 US, Well over double what it cost to buy the same parts and piece it together myself.

^ yea, it replaces the stock steering column, requires no fluid, and had an adjustable amount of assist.

Edit - found it: https://www.miataturbo.net/miata-parts-sale-trade-5/89-05-electric-steering-rack-adjustable-99280/

Here you go, if you're interested in a bolt-in P/S solution: https://kmiata.com/products/electric-power-steering-kit

It's not hydro electric, just full electric. It's totally invisible and fits under the dash perfectly, and quite easy to install, with no components in the engine bay. Steering effort is tunable and it has great steering feel too. We're going to be putting them in almost every car we K swap from now on.

EDIT: if it's not legal in the class then never mind. If it is legal, you'll love it.

Continually impressed with the solutions you guys offer.

Is this the same product as the EWSMotors rack?

Well thank you, I appreciate that. Yes, we were a part of that development and are one of the few companies that carry it.

Over complicated race car, s62 swap with a dry sump, stock rack/pinion rack, and no room for a traditional pump

Quotes from the SCCA SSM rules section on steering modification allowances.

"The steering column within the passenger compartment is specifically excluded from this allowance."
and
"This does not permit removal or modification of the steering column or column-mounted accessories."

If it mounted to the rack or in the engine compartment it would be legal.

I use a Volvo electric pump mounted in the truck (copied from Leafy). It feels pretty good.

Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-2013-V...sAAOSwHkBcdP4o

Don't buy that one - it's horribly overpriced. I bought mine for $55 shipped.

Requires power/ground, and a switched 12v to turn it on/off. I don't believe anyone has found a way to control it like you can with the Prius/etc column assisted ones.