Possible to Replace power Steering and water pump with Electric ones?

[futron.sim]

Is it possible to replace power steering and water pump with electric ones?

I am thinking that using an electric motor instead of belt driven ones will improve the fuel economy and gain a little more power from the engine.

[mkodama]

Is it possible to replace power steering and water pump with electric ones?

I am thinking that using an electric motor instead of belt driven ones will improve the fuel economy and gain a little more power from the engine.

I'm sure it's possible, but it would probably be rather expensive.  

I bet the power steering would be relatively easy.  Just a matter of connecting a few hoses I would think, and then drawing power from the car.  I know that the new mini coopers use electric power steering which may or may not be a possible option.

As for the water pump, that seems like it would be a little harder for some reason.

[vonkamp]

Remote electric water pump.
From Summit

Getting the hoses attached to the water pump ports will require some fabrication though. Mabey it's been done. It is something I was going to look into one of these days...

[tjts1]

If you have any upper body strength whatsoever, you can just remove the power steering.

[alternativez]

I agree, ditch the ps.  Don't imitate MINI; that system is prone to failure due to a couple of bad design features.  I own a 2004 MINI S, and I'm replacing my electric pump at 80k, and I've heard some stories.  I got the pump "offline," and I'll do the job myself, but the shop repair starts at $800 for the pump.  I'm also moving the silly little cooling fan to a safer location, and then I'll make a protective shield for the electric ps pump.  I'm not really very fond of the buzzing pump, either.  I would consider manual rack & pinion for the MINI, if it weren't such a pain to swap pieces, and MINI never came with manual steering.

I'm finishing an m42 in my '76 2002, and I'm used an e21 manual rack.  I'm sure it will do just fine, and the e30 can't be much heavier.
Good luck, Jim

[futron.sim]

Remote electric water pump.
From Summit

Getting the hoses attached to the water pump ports will require some fabrication though. Mabey it's been done. It is something I was going to look into one of these days...

Thanks for the link. Perhaps I could start fabricating my own plumbing and install the electric pump. Hoping I could gain 1-2HP from this and improve my fuel economy.

[futron.sim]

I agree, ditch the ps.  Don't imitate MINI; that system is prone to failure due to a couple of bad design features.  I own a 2004 MINI S, and I'm replacing my electric pump at 80k, and I've heard some stories.  I got the pump "offline," and I'll do the job myself, but the shop repair starts at $800 for the pump.  I'm also moving the silly little cooling fan to a safer location, and then I'll make a protective shield for the electric ps pump.  I'm not really very fond of the buzzing pump, either.  I would consider manual rack & pinion for the MINI, if it weren't such a pain to swap pieces, and MINI never came with manual steering.

I'm finishing an m42 in my '76 2002, and I'm used an e21 manual rack.  I'm sure it will do just fine, and the e30 can't be much heavier.
Good luck, Jim

I am driving an e36 and I think e36 weighs quite a bit more than e30. The main problem is that I have gotten so used to PS that I can't imaging parking my car w/o it (its going to be hell!!).

[futron.sim]

I'm sure it's possible, but it would probably be rather expensive.  

I bet the power steering would be relatively easy.  Just a matter of connecting a few hoses I would think, and then drawing power from the car.  I know that the new mini coopers use electric power steering which may or may not be a possible option.

As for the water pump, that seems like it would be a little harder for some reason.

Btw, do you think the mini's pump could be used on the e36?

[tjts1]

I am driving an e36 and I think e36 weighs quite a bit more than e30. The main problem is that I have gotten so used to PS that I can't imaging parking my car w/o it (its going to be hell!!).

The weight difference over the front tires is small than you think. Most of the Extra weight in an E36 is over the back tires. Remove your PS pump belt and drive it around the block a couple of times. You might be surprised.

[futron.sim]

The weight difference over the front tires is small than you think. Most of the Extra weight in an E36 is over the back tires. Remove your PS pump belt and drive it around the block a couple of times. You might be surprised.

Hmm... interesting.... OK, I think I should give it a try. driving w/o PS.

[BETTERTECH824]

Ive done the electric water pump mod to my 1991 318is m42 motor.
   I used the Davies Craig ewp80 kit w/ controller & I love it !
the car revs quicker and its mid range is improved, decell isnt so harsh
& the car is way happier.
plus at idle the car is quieter and just sounds so much happier.

 install was about2.5 hrs plus
its really easy to install.the hardest thing (its not all that hard ) is plugging the oem water pump hole w/ epoxy..

hit me up if you want details.
or picts
when you do the ewp80 kit youll wish you had done it b4...

[victell]

Changing accessories from engine-driven to electric may not save as much hp as you hope.  The power to run those electric pumps ultimately comes from the alternator, which is engine driven.  So you've removed the load made by the water pump and power steering pump but added it back through the alternator.

Also, converting energy from one form to another then back again (engine rotating > electric > accessory rotating) is less efficient.  Also2 those electric pumps and plumbing ultimately add more weight to the vehicle.

[doitover]

I haven't done this but have researched it a bit. The DIY electric car world seems to use either the Toyota MR2 pump/motor or one from Volvo/Ford for Power Steering. I run manual steering in mine but parallel parking would be much easier with a little boost. I haven't autocrossed but I suspect low speed cornering would be hurt with the manual.

I looked briefly at an electric pump for water but can't see how the expense would be worth the benefit.

The point to both is that the belt driven pumps have to be sized for essentially idle engine speeds and therefore consume more power at high RPM than they need to. The power steering pump can be off at nearly anything over idle.

Changing accessories from engine-driven to electric may not save as much hp as you hope.  The power to run those electric pumps ultimately comes from the alternator, which is engine driven.  So you've removed the load made by the water pump and power steering pump but added it back through the alternator.

Also, converting energy from one form to another then back again (engine rotating > electric > accessory rotating) is less efficient.  Also2 those electric pumps and plumbing ultimately add more weight to the vehicle.

[doitover]

Just caught your thread on bimmerforums. Are you still seeing an honest 2 MPG improvement?
I see the kit is down to a little over $200 now. Something to consider if you are changing a water pump
anyway.

Ive done the electric water pump mod to my 1991 318is m42 motor.
   I used the Davies Craig ewp80 kit w/ controller & I love it !
the car revs quicker and its mid range is improved, decell isnt so harsh
& the car is way happier.
plus at idle the car is quieter and just sounds so much happier.

 install was about2.5 hrs plus
its really easy to install.the hardest thing (its not all that hard ) is plugging the oem water pump hole w/ epoxy..

hit me up if you want details.
or picts
when you do the ewp80 kit youll wish you had done it b4...