Astra Electric Power Steering Conversion

This topic contains 40 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by Nick 6 years, 4 months ago.

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March 10, 2015 at 10:05 am #2357
VRSenator065
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So I started this a while back on the old forum.

Has anyone run an Astra electric power steering pump on their Commodore?

In particular what did you end up doing about the serpentine belt on an LS engine when the pump is removed?

This is the pump I am planning on using, I believe to wire it up i just need to pick up on power from ignition?
- This topic was modified 9 years, 5 months ago by VRSenator065.
March 10, 2015 at 8:35 pm #2373
NickVR
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http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LS-SERIES-PWR-STEERING-DELETE-KIT-/171699355765?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item27fa144075

You can get power steering delete kits. This looks like a second hand one, in Adelaide too.

Brand new from Castlemaine.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LS1-POWER-STEERING-BLOCK-OFF-PULLEY-HOLDEN-VP-VR-VS-HILUX-RODEO-CONVERSION-/151459411601?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2343af3691
- This reply was modified 9 years, 8 months ago by NickVR.
March 10, 2015 at 8:47 pm #2376
VRSenator065
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I was hoping there may be a way to delete the pulley altogeer to really clean it up. Not sure if it’s even possible?
March 10, 2015 at 9:31 pm #2378
Jaba
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Plenty of people do it without a replacement pulley, that looks cheap as imo.

Gary check fb inbox. I linked you a few different ways to run the belt.
March 10, 2015 at 9:35 pm #2379
VRSenator065
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Cheers for that Jaba.
March 10, 2015 at 9:40 pm #2381
VRSenator065
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This is exactly the kinda set up I was thinking of
March 10, 2015 at 9:43 pm #2384
VRSenator065
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Mate those links you sent me are sweet, thought I would throw them up here in case anyone else wants to check them out.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/new-ls1-owners-newbie-tech/1281701-solution-ls1-no-power-steering.html

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=437249&page=3

This one is neat given I am running an electric water pump
- This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by VRSenator065.
March 10, 2015 at 9:52 pm #2388
Jaba
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Now if only there was a way to remove the tensioner pulley up the top drivers side haha.
March 11, 2015 at 5:27 pm #2443
Michael
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Be better if you had an electric pump without the pulley. That way you’d have only the balancer and alternator. The alternator would have an adjustable bracket for belt tension.
March 11, 2015 at 6:18 pm #2447
VRSenator065
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Michael wrote:

Be better if you had an electric pump without the pulley. That way you’d have only the balancer and alternator. The alternator would have an adjustable bracket for belt tension.

Only problem with that is it cant happen with an LS into VR/S conversion. the alternator is only 10mm away from the chassis rail as it hard up against the block.

I do like the idea of trying to remove the top mount tensioner though. On my car I have a Mezziere electric water pump, but the pump shroud is designed to run on the belt so it turns I think to help cool the electric motor. Might be possible to come up with an alternative tensioner though.
March 11, 2015 at 7:01 pm #2451
Jaba
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Could you use the aircon belt to run the water pump? Not sure if there is room for the belt, but the waterpump ‘pulley’ should sit close enough tot he motor to suit the AC belt.
March 11, 2015 at 7:05 pm #2453
VRSenator065
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Maybe, probably one I need to do a bit of head scratching on.
March 11, 2015 at 9:46 pm #2477
cava454
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Just keep the power steering.

Its not not like it’s ugly on an Ls like it is Holden. Change the lines to beside. Bling it up.
March 11, 2015 at 10:06 pm #2484
VRSenator065
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Maybe your right, I keep dreaming up new things to do to it, but really I want to just drive it like it is for a while. Rip some skids, cuts some laps and run a qtr. once I have bored of it as it is maybe I play with it.
March 14, 2015 at 10:41 am #2603
DEWAGS
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To be fair I haven’t seen my car for over 12 months but are you 100% sure you can’t run an adjustable alternator bracket? I picked up one of these including the belt from ebay us for under $200 (yes I know it’s a lot of money for three bolts a belt and a laser cut piece of steel)

Photo is just a generic one off of the ads but you get the picture

p

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March 14, 2015 at 11:31 am #2606
VRSenator065
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Not the greatest photo to show it but the alternator is hard against the dsdie of the block and there is only 10mm between in and the chassis rail.
March 14, 2015 at 2:42 pm #2616
NickVR
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Could you run a stretch belt?

Some newer cars run a Elastic/Stretch belt, no tensioner on them. There is a tool to install them but may be an option if one exists. If you know what size you need I can have a look but not sure if I have seen a 6PK belt in stretch design only 5PK from memory. But I could be wrong.
March 14, 2015 at 5:58 pm #2623
VRSenator065
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Wow didn’t know they existed, will have a think about that
March 14, 2015 at 6:50 pm #2628
Brockfan05
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VRSenator065 wrote:

Wow didn’t know they existed, will have a think about that

Yeah Subarus run them but they can be a pain in the butt to fit, and are generally a replace item whenever it has to come off the engine. Also, steer away from Dayco belts – they tend to squeal, I generally use Gates brand or some form of oem belt.
March 14, 2015 at 7:11 pm #2632
Jaba
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How far can that alternator move inwards towards the balancer? Perhaps where it sits now is where it could sit under tension, and when you release the tension the alternator moves inwards a little from where it sits now. Rather than moving outwards?
- This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Jaba.
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