Our man Matt Graves gave BangShift the exclusive drop on American Powertrain’s newest and most exciting product yet, modern electric power steering for classic cars! They are currently offering these setups for C1 and C2 Corvettes and 1960s Mustangs. There are a whole lot more applications coming, too.
There are multiple things that rule about this, but in our minds the most major is that if you want to add power steering to your car you don’t have to hack it all up, scour junkyards for used parts, pay out the nose for retrofit systems, or get stuck with a steering wheel that feels like it isn’t even connected to the road. The American Powertrains systems are bolt in, require no modifications to the steering system other than the replacement of the top of the steering column, offer adjustable amounts of steering resistance, use OE components, and you don’t get stuck with leaking pumps or any of that junk. Lots of new cars gave transitioned to electric power steering because it allows them to dial in the right “feel” for the driver, does not sap power from the motor (and helps to increased fuel economy), and frankly, is less expensive for them to install than pumps, lines, etc.
This is yet another example of a company adapting current technology to the classic and muscle car market to help improve the driving experience. We think it is totally bad ass and seems like a complete no brainer for anyone looking to ditch the Armstrong steering in their old car. We will keep you posted when these systems become available for cars other than the ‘Vette and Mustang, which shouldn’t be long!
Here’s the release from American Powertrain – SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A COOL VIDEO OF THE SYSTEM INSTALLED IN A CORVETTE!
EZ Power Steering
Modern steering at the flick of a switch
Enjoy driving your classic car but find the steering too heavy?
We have the solution that is completely hidden underneath the dashboard with EZ Electric Power Steering.
The existing steering rack or box remains unchanged and thus retains the standard steering ratio and setup. The amount of assistance is fully adjustable and is speed and load sensitive. EZ system installs using CNC laser cut brackets, designed to fit the original mounting points of your car. As no holes are drilled, no cutting or welding to the chassis or body the car can always be converted back to its original system. Under the hood there are no changes and everything remains as original. It basically replaces your stock steering column.
The advantages of an electrical system opposed to a hydraulic system are numerous. The electric motor only uses power when steering assistance is necessary, while a hydraulic pump is continuously operating when the engine is running. A hydraulic setup generally uses around 4 horsepower and therefore consumes extra With an EZ Power Steering you get more engine power, no messy fluid leaks and more precise steering!
Because the electric EZ Power Steering system is truly speed sensitive it will steer light at low speeds and not become lighter at high speed – at speed the steering will remain direct. The amount of assistance can be selected by turning a potentiometer, the driver can select the desired feel (i.e. more assistance with wider tires and/or smaller steering wheel.) With a hydraulic system there is usually little feel and no possibility to adjust this at all.
In the unlikely event that the electric power steering system has a defect the car would steer exactly like it did prior to power steering conversion.
The EZ Electric Power Steering works without making a sound. Will not leak and is completely maintenance free. Call us today!
While not having to butcher your classic is a good thing, no great thing im leary of the electric steering simply because of the cost when the OE stuff fails, and it fails at a high rate. That said, for a retrofit that sits around most of the year it would probably last the life of the owner.
threedoor. If the system fails there are no issues. Even is the electric motor locks up there is no effect on steering at all. You can still steer the car as normal.
I wonder if they will offer a kit for a 1966 C-50….
Just wait til the backyard mechanic gang begin modifying these units to fit other applications. It’s only a matter of time.
Intergrated Fuse? Spell check missed something.
I have driven many EPS vehicles at work – if this system is as good or better than OEM – this could solve a whole bunch of hot rodder head aches, with out another belt, a growling PS pump, and more prone to leak hoses.
antispam not working –
if this is a collapsible column it offers old mustang / fairmont guys more than convenience. No more spear o death column!
Nice system, I did not see this mention in the video if you have to change to a manual steering box… I am assuming that you do….. Is this correct?
Nice system, I did not see this mention in the video if you have to change to a manual steering box… I am assuming that you do….. Is this correct?
nice system not the first on the market computer that runs most systems over here was done in the uk.the ones here in the us true center on the steering must remain perfect or you have funny things happen going down the road .thge aliement rack peole by law have this year to fit system in their machines to make sure car and shaft are centered