john vanlandingham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pete Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > wildert Wrote:
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > 2.4 is not a factory size. Basically, every
> Ford
> > product from about 2003-on that had a four
> > cylinder, as well as many, many Mazdas, used
> a
> > 2.0, 2.3, or 2.5l Duratec.
>
>
> Come on Pete, a mere typo, 'sides he's one a den
> Veee Dubya guys so can't 'spect him to pay
> attention to Ford?mazda motors---he'd get too
> depressed if he did!

Heh - I'm kinda not into anything new anyways - except for diesels. And that's only for the chore as a daily. Actually own a Ford as a daily - 2005/2006 Mondeo Estate - but the 130 horsie turbo-diesel. Great tow vehicle by the way - at least in flat Denmark anyway.

> > > What's so special about the column?
> >
> > Electric assist. You can see the motor on
> the
> > right side.

Seriously - looked for it, since I figured it had to be something like it - haven't noticed it.

> Opel Corsa stock since what 5-7 years?

Something like that - yeah.

> >
> > > Anyway - with regards to the never
> > electrically
> > > assisted columns, then that has been
> done
> > quite a
> > > few times. Apparently not too
> complicated.
> > Opel
> > > Corsa/Vauxhall Nova columns have been
> grafted
> > in
> > > to Mk I and Mk II Golf's several times
> in the
> > UK.
> > > ... and those columns are fairly cheap
> on
> > fleaBay.
> >
> > Again, essentially all small- and mid-size
> General
> > Motors cars here from 2007 or so on have
> electric
> > assist on the column. A lot of other makes
> are
> > using a motor on the rack, which makes life
> easier
> > on the steering U-joints. GM had problems
> with
> > steering shafts even before they decided to
> move
> > the assist to the column...

Well - what I failed to mention - and this was the reason to bringe the Corsa rack up (I was typing it up in a hurry - that's what you get for having your head full of too many things) - is the thing about the black box you mentioned. Apparently it isn't much of a big deal with the Corsa ones. Opel being GM and all that, I would suspect that it would be the same with the US GM models. I've read about quite a few guys - not particularly electronics savy - rigging up something to adjust the assist, or have two levels. So no need to wait for some mysterious black box - it shouldn't be too complicated.

> >
> > Pete Remner
> > Cleveland, Ohio
> >
> > 1984 RX-7 (rallycross thing)
> > 1978
> > Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.
> >
> >
> >
> > Edited 1 times. Last edit at May 29, 2010 by
> Pete.
>
>
>
>
> John Vanlandingham
> Sleezattle, WA, USA
>
> Vive le Prole-le-ralliat
>
> www.rallyrace.net/jvab
> CALL +1 206 431-9696
> Remember! Pacific Standard Time
> is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

---

Brgrds
Brian

john vanlandingham Wrote:

> On what planet are rods and sometimes pistons NOT FAILING?

The naturally aspirated, automatic grocery-getter Focus/Escape planet.

I'm not saying that they don't need work for performance use, but at least they're available easily enough.

wildert Wrote:
>
> Well - what I failed to mention - and this was the
> reason to bringe the Corsa rack up (I was typing
> it up in a hurry - that's what you get for having
> your head full of too many things) - is the thing
> about the black box you mentioned. Apparently it
> isn't much of a big deal with the Corsa ones. Opel
> being GM and all that, I would suspect that it
> would be the same with the US GM models.

The US models equipped with it are new enough that it's tied in with everything. I understand that there are tricks for getting a PCM to run without the data network, but it's not as simple as "connect these wires to power/ground". That's a PCM, though. I don't know if the assist control is its own unit or if it is part of a different module. (Hell, you can't even swap radios anymore, they're part of the network)

So the simplest way would be an aftermarket controller, or maybe something from a European car that isn't computerized to the point of uselessness.

You've got to understand - there seems to be a large anti-Euro thing going on at GM. European designs are used only grudgingly, and usually after a LOT of cost cutting. DeLorean called it the "Not Invented Here" syndrome - we didn't design it, so why should we care if it lives or dies? (Fortunately, this doesn't seem to be the case at Ford)

---

Pete Remner
Cleveland, Ohio

1984 RX-7 (rallycross thing)
1978
Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/29/2010 09:06PM by Pete.

THAT is one killer old tractor, not to mention the packer in tow!

---

Ben Hetland
1973 Volvo 142 project car (with some cone-smashing on dirt in it's future, however)

"No. Rally Racing is a back alley sport filled with jackals, headhunters and thugs!"
-Pops Racer (Speed Racer movie)

www.utahrallygroup.com

meh, gratuitous use of carbonfibre...