Power steering in 308?

Hello. to everybody.

I was wondering if anyone has ever tried to fit power steering..

could be possible to.use an electric ps?

thanks..

 

I met these guys at Concorso Italiano this year. One of them has done this to his 308 and said it worked great, although their website doesn't mention Ferrari. The brochure they handed out at CI has 308/328 boxes for $2995 USD. Might be worth an email or call...

The Driven Man - Jaguar, Mopar, Ford, GM, Other British Brands - Specialty Performance Parts & Accessories

Mark

 

They do make the unit for various Ferrari's:

Ferrari 308 GTS

 

Hey That's pretty rad! A little pricey

 

Please don't ruin a perfectly good 308 by adding numbness to it like this! If a little workout while driving with an utterly delicate steering feel in return is not your thing, then buy a 355 or a 360.

And if you MUST have lighter steering in a 308, then have a pair of new upper-A-arms manufactured for your front suspension. By moving the tops of your uprights back somewhat (in the order of 1/2" or so, or even less, I'd have to make a quick calculation), you reduce the castor angle of the steering. Primary result: somewhat less directional stability and a lot less force to turn the wheel. (Of course, everything is connected to everything where road handling is concerned, so there will be other effects as well, no doubt, but this will be what counts the most).

Judging by the significant difference in effort between an early GT4 and a late 328 (notably mine and my ex-GF's), this is exactly what Ferrari has done over the years.

 

+ 1,000,000 Just drive faster. The 308 could probably have the best steering of any car made. Don't F it up please.

 

Did you notice that he wasn't actually asking for opinions on whether others thought it was a good idea or not? If the power steering is speed sensitive (which I think it is from what I've read) then it would be pretty much the same as stock at speed, but light for parking; a very good balance.

I've put power steering on a car that was light enough that other people took it off. Made it so much more enjoyable to drive (for ME), parking and turning around in a driveway wasn't a strain any more.

There are people with physical issues that have reasons for wanting easier steering. If it makes it more enjoyable to drive it, then that's what you should do. Nothing worse than a really nice car that you don't enjoy driving.

 

Listers,

My car steers very heavily but I do not think there is anything wrong. The spec for the front castor is +3.5. Mine may be set at this spot which make for heavy steering but straight driving. I hope the adjustment might have enough "room" to adjust the castor to say +2. This would lighten things a bit.

Ideas or comments.
John

 

Sounds like a way to spend money to remove value from your car. Maybe invest in some dumbells and work the forearms!

 

"Did you notice that he wasn't actually asking for opinions on whether others thought it was a good idea or not?"

LOL - when has relevancy ever been a consideration here?

I figure it's just part of the "internet adventure" - ask a question, get an answer to a different, and un-asked, question.

FWIW, I'd LOVE to have PS on my 328 but the price is too high for me to consider.

 

I believe that the castor angle is not adjustable on the 308.

If you'd want to reduce the castor angle from 3.5 to 2 degrees, with the upright about 10" tall (guesstimate, top of my head), you'd have to move the top FORWARD by about 1/4", or the bottom back by that same amount. Or both by 1/8".

In fact, come to think of it, there are some shims on there (items 9 and 10), making the castor angle somewhat adjustable after all. Anyone ever tried messing around with these? Should be an easy enough job to tackle in an hour or so. Put the upright more.. err.. upright, and you'll have lighter steering. Sure is a lot cheaper than a $3000 power steering option...
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IMHO, messing with the geometry of the steering to achieve lighter steering at slow speeds seems like a REALLY bad idea. For every action, there is a reaction and if you lighten up the steering at slow speeds, you will most likely add instability at high speeds.

Once I hit 60 years old, power steering might sound like a good idea, but once I can't steer the car, means I can't work on the car...and at that point, I'll move it one to someone who can and get a Vette!

 

Very true. That is why power steering was invented in the first place. Proper steering geometry is not the lightest steering geometry.

 

Awesome! This is why I like this forum!. Real information and consistent opinions..

Well, when I dropped the question I was considering going PS to move the car easier while parking and at very low speed, making a fully reversible mod. I love the feeling of the car at speed, any.. But as someone said, it is not good to have one of the best cars in the world if you don't enjoy driving it.
So it is NOT. something that HAS. to be done. And it is really good to have your opinions and feedbacks..
Anyway I have to test drive other car to make my mind, as there are some issues I'd like to contrast.. My steering is terribly sharp and precise on bends, but it gets harder and harder as you keep turning the wheel, and the return effect dissappears, so you have go return the wheel to straight " by hand". I don't know if this is an original feature, or something intrinsec to my car. And it is also that I have to find out.
Coming back to the PS issue, I thought of one of these electric ones, minimal mods, fully reversible, working only at low speeds.. but it is only a consideration, not a project, unless it proves to be a good mod.
Thanks again, your feedbacks are much appreciated..

 

Mine (1974 GT4) has the exact same thing.

 

Directional stability WILL indeed be reduced. Suspension geometry is and always will be a compromise. Ferrari chose more directional stability at the cost of heavier steering.

I drive my Dino at 130+ mph speeds several times per year. No way, I'll be giving up on that directional stability. I'll take the heavier steering. But I am a healthy 6'4" guy and don't mind the workout.

If I'd live in a country where I'd seldom or never get above 80 mph and if I'd have a bit less body strength, I might prefer a slightly different compromise than the one chosen by Ferrari. Nothing wrong with experimenting, as long as it's gradual and you know what you are doing.

My $.02...

 

You are going to get them whether you want them or not.

 

It is part of the game, and since we all play this game, we have to accept other's oppinions.
And I really think other's oppinions are the most valuable part of this site.
So thanks for posting..

 

Listers,

I just switched from 20lb's to 30lb's weights for my 67 year old forearms. We shall see.

The mid80's Jaguar cars and the Triumph TR4a use a top ball joint like our 308. The next time I have the 308 wheel off I will measure it and see if it is the same. The TR joint is wider than the Jag joint and the Jag joint is often used in the TR to gain + or - castor adjustment. I have made this change a couple of times and I do not recall a dramatic change in steering effort.

My 308 is heavy to steer but only an issue when parking. It is near perfect on the road. I agree if one needs power steering to enjoy the car why not.

John

 

Do a search for "ezpowersteering" on F-chat and you will find a couple of threads in the TR section about the system. Those guys seem to like it.

 

The fact is, the steering on a 308 is from 40 year old technology. I have never found it light and nimble, as others have, but my other car is a Lotus, which makes the Ferrari feel like a truck in comparison, so I am unconcerned about losing the "sharpness".

I plan to put a smaller steering wheel on, AND go to a faster rack, just to get it to a point where I like it! I think the electric PAS would fit well with that set up, if it felt too hard to steer.

Modern cars have huge amounts of castor for stability, plus they fiddle with the Ackermann, but they all have power steering to overcome the enormous steering effort needed.

 

I have all these on my racing car.It is perfect!

 

Fantastic! Any difficulties or hurdles in the installation?

 

PM!

 

You can find them here;
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There's an agent in the UK who gets good reviews about this product.
I dont have any feedback on U.S. agent