20 replies to this topic

[ben23]

Hey guys been a while since I drove my torrie but it was then still fitted with the 173 and auto and standard wheels and without power steering it was still quite nice to drive even at low speeds. It will be getting an injected 5 litre and 4L60E, how much heavier is the steering with an 8 vs the 6?

[dattoman]

Not much

Plus you'll be able to steer with your right foot

[Bigfella237]

Now that I think about it, I dunno if I've ever driven a six cylinder LH/LX Torana... if I did then it can't have been very memorable!

 

Anyway, I'd expect the size of the tyres and the wheel alignment specs will have a far bigger effect than the difference in engine weights?

 

Looking at the first page to pop up on google, a six cylinder auto LX is listed at 1230kg and a 4.2L auto at 1270kg, so bugger all in it really. (And before the smart-ass comments start, no these aren't necessarily 'official' weights, nor weights that some engineer/authority will accept, nor do I care, that webpage was just the first result in a google search, which I use for comparison only)

[myss427]

As above, steering is only heavy when you have grippy wide tyres or lots of negative camber, or sparrows Kneecaps for muscles!

[LXCHEV]

Agreed, wheel and tyre choice is the biggest influencing factor for sure. Steering wheel size can also contribute, and locker diffs too.

My LX runs a small block V8, with cheese cutters on the front (15x 4's with 165/80 tyres). It is an absolute pleasure to drive, super light and easy to steer and park.

Previously I've run both smaller diameter steering wheel and mini spooled diff, and it was much worse.

My Dads standard V8 (253) LH used to run 14 x 8's with 245/50's on the front and it was a pain in the ass, super heavy.

[axistr]

Ben just put power steering on it then you won't have to think about how heavy the steering is going to increase with additional weight. 4L60E are a fair bit heavier than a Trimatic. Interesting with the weights, my hatch weighs in at 1,430 kg and the SLR 1,465 kg. The weight soon increases with the addition of a few mods and comfort items.   

[ben23]

Only reason is because with air con im gonna be pressed for room, will standard VR commodore setup fit in a LX (aircon and power steer on drivers side, alternator on left, guessing not.) At the moment I cant dummy fit anything but would be interesting to see if it would. Unless I go electric power steering pump.

 

[Bigfella237]

There are a couple of alternatives...

 

Some cars had an electrically driven hydraulic pump (obviously not needing to be engine-mounted), which uses any power steering rack you can modify to fit. There are also after-market versions available, for example:

 

https://www.ultimate...ering-pump-kit/

 

And other cars had an electric servo-assist arrangement built into the steering column, which makes use of the standard manual steering rack. A unit from a Barina is a fairly common conversion with after market electronics available to adjust the sensitivity. Mick (mick_in_oz) did a write-up of fitment to a Torana here:

 

http://www.gmh-toran.../80937-lx-epas/

 

and looks like after-market kits available for them from Ultimate too...

 

https://www.ultimate...nk-input-shaft/

 

[axistr]

Ben both my cars have A/C and power steering . The SLR has an injected VR5lt engine alternator on the left and P/S pump and A/C compressor on the right. I used the original VR compressor bracket assembly but decided to fit a neater looking Saginaw pump and fitted serpentine pulleys and belt for nice quiet operation. 

 

 

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[ben23]

Any problems with clearance Axistr? Is there a reason the V8 Torana's had alt on the drivers side? Aircon bracket looks a little different to mine, does yours hang off the front of the head on 3 studs?

[axistr]

Ben, when I bought the engine it come with accessories drive on the front. The engine was originally from a VR clubsport. The only thing I didn't  have was the power steering pump. I had a new type two. Saginaw pump in the shed so I decided to go with this pump and also covert to a serpentine drive system which I sourced from Summit Racing, which was listed as a small block Chevy. Included the alternator, water pump, crank pulley and power steering pump pulley. Yes the A/C bracket uses the three head accessories bolts. I had to modify the alternator mounting bracket as the alternator hit the left chassis rail when I tried to adjust the belt tension.

[Lima31]

There are a couple of alternatives...

 

Some cars had an electrically driven hydraulic pump (obviously not needing to be engine-mounted), which uses any power steering rack you can modify to fit. There are also after-market versions available, for example:

 

https://www.ultimate...ering-pump-kit/

 

...

 

 

I ran out of space between to fit the pump pulley and belt: 80 mm Adrad radiator + AU fans + Romac balancer and silly Gilmer drive.

 

So will be going the TRW Astra route, figured it is easier and cheaper to do that then re-do the radiator or the belt drives. 

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=Yy6oQPJJ2qY

 

Will let you know how I go...

[yel327]

Makes me happier with my decision. I bought an Astra setup to use but when I bought the Wheels Within Wheels serpentine setup for the SBC it was only $200 more to get it with a steering pump which is a USA made late model Saginaw pump with integral fluid reservoir. So no need to try and mount the Astra unit now.

[axistr]

yel327 My hatch with SBC is running a Saginaw type 2 pump which is mounted on the left front head and the A/C compressor below. Just like the SLR I purchased a Summit Racing SBC long water pump(350) serpentine pulley kit. I x 6pk belt drives the water pump alternator and around the crank. The second 6pk belt drives the A/C and power steering pump. Works great never slipped or thrown a belt, however  my son took the car out with his girl friend for the day cruise and the next time I jumped in to start it I noticed a slightly different noise coming from under the bonnet. I quickly found the serpentine belt for the alternator jumped one v on the belt. Quick fix and hasn't done it since. However straight after I put the belt back in place I got the laptop out and dropped the fuel cut back to 5,800 rpm from 6,500 rpm. I think the boy might have been giving it a hard time trying to impress his little flower.

 

I use an Astra pump to pressure test the power racks after reconditioning. On initial startup they do emit a bit of a high pitch whine, and after about 5 seconds they drop back to around half speed and are very quiet. Both my cars are reasonably quiet because of ADR compliance, but I don't think I would ever hear the pump with the engine running. The external E.F.I electric pump is noisier than the Astra electric P/S pump. Depending where and how its mounted you would only just hear it with ignition on engine off. If you mount it with the original rubber mounts they only emit a slight hum.

 

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[yel327]

This is what I have to use. Will be a HQ350 radiator and FG Falcon fan (single fan). I was going to build my own to drive just the alternator and A/C compressor but decided to buy this and spend time on other bits of the car.
https://wheelswithin...&product_id=565

[axistr]

No doubt is probably quality stuff but the cost is getting up there. I purchased my pulley kit off Summit Racing for around $300 it includes the alternator brackets and four pulleys mounting bolts. But that was a few years ago I suppose.

[yel327]

Agree, not cheap. But I still had yet to buy a compressor, alternator or water pump and pulleys. I had to find the right ones, get the idlers, make the brackets and get it all to fit. Given these guys are Aussies and the $ stayed here I figured it was worth the cost and I got to focus on other bits.

[axistr]

I would probably put it under the front inner right guard. Although a hole in the guard to top up the fluid would be the go, so the pump can be mounted up high under the guard so it's not easily damaged. It can be mounted under the hatch floor but it is a long run for the hydraulic hose which can reduce hydraulic pressure. I haven't done any pressure and flow tests with the pump mounted in the hatch area. My tests have been with supply and return hoses of 1.2 metres. With a good pump you might get away with it.