Power Steering - Vairable Assist?

[PCGUY112887]

Alright, first off do I even want variable assist? Is it nice to have or just sorta pointless?

I ask because the power steering pump I am using on my 3500 is going dead (original one from the 3100). The fluid is all nasty and it squeals like crazy, and the lines are covered in fluid. However the pump does not leak, leads me to believe that someone put additive in it at one point or something.

I really don't feel the need to replace the lines, just the pump.... lines look like a pain

I figure while I am at it, I could add variable assist. I don't think it came as an option in SE's, however if I look up GTP's their pumps have some with variable assist. I believe that I also have the wire for it, I have 1 unused 2 wire plug that was unused when I got the car. It is red and is on the fuel injector harness and would be perfect to reach to the power steering pump.

Is it as easy as just getting a pump for a GTP with the plug on it, and install it and plug it in? Could I get a pump out of any other car that would be stronger/better?

I assume the PCM would have to feed it data? My PCM is out of a 97 venture... so I guess I hope it could output that signal

[SappySE107]

I would flush the lines and your rack with clean fluid. I use transmission fluid instead of power steering fluid. My 96 GTP has variable assist. My 91 didn't and the 94 doesn't. The 94 is heavy steering and my 91 felt "normal" to me. The 96 is different, and I don't know if I like it or just don't care. Its nice, but its not normal:P My pump died and I stole the convertible's pump cause it is the same thing. Not sure what the cost difference between regular and variable is but that would be my deciding factor. I haven't tried unplugging my 96 cause I dunno what that will do.

[3100 MPFI]

The variable assist is NOT controlled by the PCM. It is controlled by the ABS computer.

If you install it (you can get a pump from the Cutlass Ciera 3100. Those are REALLY common).

You will also have to swap out your steering rack for the variable rack, and the ABS controller computer.

I was looking into this in my 1996 Grand Prix SE before it was totalled, and my 1995 Cutlass Supreme has it.

It really is not worth it. The steering is kinda numb in slow speeds. You really dont get any road feel until about 70 MPH on the highway. Then it gets heavy, and feels good.

Get a steering rack for a 1990 Grand Prix TURBO (FE3 2.25 lock to lock). That is the heaviest W-body rack, but it has the best feel.

If you want, i can scan the variable assist info out of my 1996 Grand Prix book. There is really too much too it, and it does not give you a lot. Just a REALLY light steering wheel in low speeds, and heavy at high speeds, but you HAVE to get the steering rack. It has a special valve in it to keep it from abruptly chaning pressure and different speeds making it go hard in low speeds, and light in high speeds.

[3100 MPFI]

I forgot too add, the parts for the variable assist are a LOT more expensive. When I was pricing steering racks, the FE3 2.75 rack was about $120, the FE3 2.25 rack was about $200, and the variable rack was over $400.

The non variable pump was like $50, and the variable pump was $90.

The dealership wanted over $700 for the variable assist power steering computer. I didn't price the normal one.

[PCGUY112887]

Humm, anyone want to unplug their variable assist (on any car really, it's on plenty) and tell me what it feels like? :-)

I have noticed my steering is quite heavy, even heavier than my 96 sedans... if I turn real hard in a parking lot the wheels struggle to make it, like I am turning and it is fighting to turn back (can feel that in the wheel). I have also killed my car a few times with a sharp turn at a low speed and low RPM, but I think that is just due to the fact that I lowered my idle back to stock and sometimes the IAC just doesn't react quick enough to keep the cam alive...

Would the pump for a GTP even work on a 3x00 engine? If lookup one for the 3.1 on carpart I get pumps from all the way up to 05 buicks, but if I lookup one for a 3.4 DOHC then I get very few results.

Regardless I still feel like I want to add this somehow

How would I go about flushing the lines and rack? Is there somewhere I can drain it all from or do I have to suck out of the tank/refill/turn wheel/suck out/refill/etc?

[PCGUY112887]

Just saw your replies 3100, FORGET THAT! If the rack ever has to come out then I will put in the tigher rack.

So I guess back to the fluid flush/fill or pump replacement lol....

[3100 MPFI]

That is what I would do. Now keep in mind that when I was researching the STEERING RACK, that was back when I was living on Long Island, so that was back in like 2003-2004. I think they have come down some, but the rest of the parts, those prices are pretty current. I was looking up the price of the 3100 variable pump because I was thinking about replacing the 3.4 DOHC in my 1995 Cutlass Supreme with a 3100/3400/3500.

As for the ABS computer, I think the STEALership was messing with me, but I got that price from like 3 or 4 of them.

If adding the variable was as easy as putting in the pump, then I would say go for it.

I FORGOT TO ADD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In order to use the Variable steering, you also have to swap out your STEERING COLUMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

There is a magnetic ring attached to the base of the steering column that measures how FAST you are turning the wheel, and stuff. You have to swap out the entire steering column to use the variable setup.

If you still want those diagrams, just for shits-n-giggles, let me know, and I will get them too you. Hell, I just might post them anyways.

[PCGUY112887]

Jeez lots of work for my idea heh... I have the 96 GM book as well but I didn't look in it

[3100 MPFI]

I went ahead and scanned some of my 1996 book. Just for the edification of all the non-believers out there.

VES stands for VARIABLE EFFORT STEERING. The area's highlighted in RED show the ELECTRICAL aspects of the VES system. It is controlled by the EBCM (ABS computer), and gets readings from the steering wheel speed sensor, and sends a signal to the solenoid on the power steering pump.

The thing about the steering rack is covered in the steering section of the book and is HYDRAULIC related. Not electric.

[korbendallas68]

Wow, I didn't really look into whats needed for VES, it's a lot more than I realized.

I also have VES on my car, I notice it works fairly well at certain speeds. I kinda wish the heavy setting would kick in more at 60 for that "road feel". Or course I haven't driven my car for almost a whole year now. lol I'll be getting it back this week, so It'll be fun to remember how it handles compared to this Olds Cutlass fleet car.

You think there maybe a way to tune the way the VES works?

[3100 MPFI]

Of course there is. BUT.....

It would require you to tear apart the ABS computer and reprogram how it works. Similar to tuning a chip for the engine. Want your rev limiter to kick in at 7000 RPM instaed or 6000 RPM? REPROGRAM IT.

Simple as that.

Now as how to go about reprogramming the ABS computer for the VES, but not effect the main ABS components? I have NO CLUE.