328/308 power steering experience

AFAIK, there is only one kit available, sold by various suppliers. I have NO experience with it personally even though I purchased the power steering kit here in the US a couple of years ago. I ended up deciding I didn't want to cut into the body, as is required with the kit so the kit has been sitting on a garage shelf! The interesting thing at the time I purchased it was that the ads said "NO modifications required." But they meant no modifications to the rest of the steering gear, NOT "no modifications" to the car. The steering can be easily returned to OEM if desired by removing the kit/installing the original parts; the cut out body panel, not so easy!

I have read excellent reviews of the kit and would have installed it IF no body cutting was required.

 

I installed the EZ-Power Steering unit when I went to a faster rack and a smaller steering wheel. It works fine. People have said you lose the delicacy of the steering feedback with electric power steering, but I didn't notice. That said, my other sports car is a Lotus Elan, and after driving that, all other cars feel like you're driving a truck. I installed it myself, because I'm completely insane, but it went in OK. Any electric power steering unit from a small hatchback can be adapted to fit.

 

I went this route and the adapting part was not trivial. It works nicely though and I added a 2:1 ratio quickener so the steering light and fast, much nicer than original imo.

 

I'm surprised you didn't fabricate one out of a transistor radio and a Junior Mint

 

Good to know. I've considered adding electric steering too. Having nerve damage in one of my arms, turning in tight places is difficult; making driving not as enjoyable. So much so, I avoid parking lots where I can.

 

I have installed a few units in 328's they all worked very well. The under dash mods's are not a big deal, easily reverted back to stock, if needed, the biggest gripe is that the unit, when mounted limits the vertical room for big shoes between the throttle and the brake pedal, not awful, but it just takes some getting used to. If you have a disability, it's truly worth it.
Gary Bobileff
Bobileff Motorcar Company in San Diego

 

Does the 328 require any cutting of the firewall like others have had to do?

 

There is another semi-recent thread I think there are pics into but I'm not finding it

 

"Does the 328 require any cutting of the firewall like others have had to do?"

Yes, the instructions for the EZ steer unit I purchased for my '89 328 clearly states the requirement for the cutout:

"Step 7.
The area above the pedal box needs to be modified by sawing out a square piece. It's important that a second person pulls away the heater hoses via de luggage compartment, do this also while sawing. To prevent the hoses from getting damaged."

As I mentioned earlier, the ad copy for the unit does not mention the need to cut a body panel.

 

For me personally I'm very happy with the change. Steering is light and responsive, it just feels right now.

I also removed the power assist from the brakes but I'm still up in the air about that change.....I love the feel the pedal now has but it needs a good deal of force....the high force make modulating very easy and obvious, but it makes casual driving more work. No such concerns with the steering change, it's always better to the point I don't even think about or notice the steering anymore.

 

Bigger discs and smaller master cylinder?

 

The discs and calipers are F430 sourced so pretty big leaving smaller masters as something I'll probably try. Right now they are 3/4" and I was afraid they were marginal volume wise but the pedal moves maybe 1" total so I think its worth trying 5/8" masters which should drop the pedal pressure about 30%. After that to go smaller it would be gokart masters.

 

Thanks Mike