Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Lite-Steer Electric Power Steering

Thanks chaps, helpful as always, but I'd still welcome feedback on the Lite-Steer instalation if anyone has this system on their Trad?

Saying that they've been fitting and developing their solution for many years now and they do seem to have the right engineer's approach, Neil also has a number of modern Trad conversations under his belt which is important with this kind of thing as all the bespoke work like bracketry has already been developed. On the subject of development it also seems Neil has been evolving his system over the years with the addition of improvements such as his GPS speed signal box, although I suspect that's just a convenient solution for older classics with mechanical speedos.

Obviously we have an electronic speedo so it's a simple case of tapping into the pulse signal, actually its even easier with Monty as I have an ECU Masters EMU Black engine management system that has a speed signal input and a PWM output to control the steering motor, it's therefore possible to build a simple 2D table to give infinitely varable declining assistance vs road speed. Indeed I could build two tables (road & track) or even a 3D table and introduce a strain guage input for the ultimate 'assistance vs feel' 3D map all tunable just as I like it through my laptop using the excellent EMU Black software.

Now just to confuse you all, Monty doesn't actually need power steering, my Duratec Plus 4 benefits from a Mulfab front wishbone conversion that uses a Mk1/2 Escort rack, its 2.7 turns lock to lock and delivers delicious steering feel, despite being a faster ratio than Morgan's rack the steering weight remains light at parking speeds which will be down to the improved steering geometry of the Mulfab front wishbone conversion over the original sliding pilar front end.



However, despite all this I'd like an even faster rack, maybe not as fast as my TVR Chimaera that had a 2.2 turns lock to lock rack which I loved BTW, but something in-between the two. Fortunately Peter Mulberry's wise decision to use an Escort rack makes this a cheap and simple upgrade as you can buy brand new Escort racks in any number of ratios, including what I believe will be to the perfect for Monty 2.4 turns lock to lock ratio. However, as we all know the faster the rack the heavier the steering becomes hence my search for a good speed variable electric power steering system.

In theory I should actually end up with even lighter steering than I have now, but also with the benefits of the faster 2.4 turns lock to lock rack for catching those oversteer moments on the track. Being a variable assistance setup it should also give even better steering feel at higher speeds, TBH I would be surprised if I need assistance above 20 mph, I expect I'll use full assistance at parking speeds with a declining taper thereafter to 20 mph where the steering returns to a completely manual 2.4 turns lock to lock rack.

If it all works out as expected I will effectively be giving Monty the best of all worlds steering upgrade, since buying and tuning the car I'm enjoying more and more club sport activities such as Prescott Hill, Curborough Sprint Course and now Castle Combe having recently attended the excellent Williams Morgan track day; a faster rack would be a real advantage at these events but I certainly wouldn't want that to come at the cost of making Monty a PITA to manoeuvre at low speeds and park.

I've arranged to vist Niel at his workshop next week to discuss the project in more detail, I'll let everyone know if I choose to proceed and if so I'll also provide feedback on the results.

Dave.

I fitted (or more correctly had fitted) the hydraulic system produced by Classic Driving Development to my 2004 Roadster and wrote it up for miscellany. Not cheap but worthwhile and you could do it yourself if you are a competent spanner juggler as it's all bolt on bits.

I fitted a 2.2 rack on my Roadster ( an older Jack Knight Rack which I re-furbished ) along with the Dutch EZ Steer System with manual adjustment.

Absolutely brilliant especially when I did the Grossglockner High Alpine Passes last year. So many sharp hairpins...

Cool, a man after my own heart, you've basically done exactly what I'm planning, but I think I'll go with 2.4 LTL to start with, if I feel faster rack will work better it's so easy and cheap to go 2.2 as Escort racks can be had in all the common ratios for less than £200 a pop and a mornings work to fit.

That's the beauty of a speed sensitive electric power steering conversation, all the assistance hardware is fitted at the steering column end, so once you’ve invested in the installation you can simply swap racks at will.

A faster rack can be a wonderful thing, but I'm acutely aware if I go faster than my current 2.7 LTL its highly likely I'll need assistance, well at parking and manoeuvring speeds at least, a speed sensitive electric power steering conversion fixes all that in such an elegant way

As I say, it has the potential to be the best of all worlds, and it sounds like IvorMog worked all this out long before I did

How do the sliding pillar bushes etc stand up to it?

I changed to Cain's hard chrome pillars 28k miles ago. so far no wear.

Go for it... You won't regret it