Lagondaforum

Subject: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Would love to know what others have done on the power-steering & alternator side, whom they have used and rough costings?

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Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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If you are paying a reputable dealer then I think in the region of £3-5K to retrofit electronic PAS - someone else may need to confirm. You can fit exactly the same PAS system yourself if you do the right research and know what you are doing for next to nothing, I'm sure AM specialists file the GM logo off their hardware...

Not sure about the alternator conversion - shouldn't be more than £150 as it's a very simple job and the alterator is a cheap part - probably cost £1000 if done by an AM specialist.

You may need to reverse the polarity of the car for both of the above jobs (if not done already) - no problem apart from some of your instruments might suffer.

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Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Guy, I had the polarity changed and an alernator fitted in one car but the labour costs are lumped in with other work so I can't break them out; the work was done by Wren Classics at Shaftesbury. About the only thing that does not work is the clock. My Rapide is still positive earth and I have investigated fitting an alernator (+ve earth) that looks like a dynamo, but the makers have not (yet) introduced one with the capacity the Rapide needs. I've not been minded so far to change to negative earth

Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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hello guy
my dad fitted an electric power steering to his car.
the work was carried out by fourways-engineering.co.uk based in borough green kent.
the conversion is really good , you can park the car with one with one finger.amazing!
it is adjustable manualy as to the amount of assistance needed,ie none required on the motorway and up to 6 for tesco parking and it can be adusted while driving to suit your needs.
hope this helps
an as for the the alternator he is still running a dyno with a positive earth
i will call you regarding other things mon / tues

thanks

jay

Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Hi Jay, any idea roughly how much the PAS conversion was? It's certainly worth doing on a Rapide...though I havn't driven it yet, but I have lifted the engine out!

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Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Christian, try the GTC Engineering web site http://www.gtc-engineering.com/

For a DB4 set of parts it's £2750 + VAT, says "please call" re Rapide, guess it'll be a broadly similar amount

Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Thanks David, do you think it's a bit wimpish to add PAS?

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Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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I've never really felt the need as I try to avoid for example parking in a confined area which needs slow speed manoeuvre. I'm also slightly reluctant to fit more kit around the right hand side of the engine when I might need that space to enable fitting of a full-flow oil cooler take-off and pipes etc and which is tighter than in a DB4 say because of the Rapide's different steering column geometry

Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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hi cristian
im sorry i cant comment on the price of the conversion as all the restoration costs are a guarded secret so my mum dosent know how much my dad has spent,but contact fairways and they will help you,there a good local firm

Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Christian, spoke to John at GTC Engineering. Very interesting chap. Factory is near Silverstone & have done over 300 conversions, of which a handful are Rapide. The original column is modified & interestingly enough the steering reverts if power is lost so it still works. £2,750 + £400 (Fitting) + VAT. I'm off there in the new year to have my car done! Regards, Guy.

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