[DeTomaso] Pantera Servo Steering System

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/24/07 4:47:45 PM, SOBill at aol.com writes:

> An alternative is an electro hydraulic system: electric pump and hydraulic 
> rack and pinion.
> 
Such as is stock on the '91-'95 MR-2s. The pump is electrically driven by a 
motor the size of a starter, mounted up front next to the power rack. The hoses 
are all about a foot long so response is immediate and the rack and pump are 
matched sizes. Additionally, there is a brain-box that controls the degree of 
response- more boost at low road speeds and less at higher speeds. Its 
designed for an electronic speedometer but my engineer-friend built emulators for the 
required sensors, so this system is now on a road-racing GTP car with 12" 
wide gumball tires and works well. These units are popular with off-road racers 
too; I know of a couple running on Datsun 510 rally cars. 

But simply changing stock 7" Pantera front wheels to ones with zero scrub 
radius such as with the 8x 15" Campagnolos, steering effort drops markedly. MY 
5'4" wife has no trouble on 8-hr drives in our Pantera. Cheers- J DeRyke



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