Gen III Hemi power steering pumps

[heminut]

I've had an '04 5.7 Hemi from a Ram in my Barracuda for several years (I was one of the first people on this board to do a swap) and have been using the factory power steering pump that came with the engine. I don't drive the car much and when I took it out recently the power steering started acting up after it got warmed up, basically it started making some noise and was harder to steer. I'm thinking the higher pressure of the Hemi pump may have finally done in the steering box. Getting another steering box is no problem but I would like to go to a lower pressure pump.

Back when we first started doing these swaps the outfit in Mena, Arkansas that was doing ECM and harness mods (Hotwire I believe) was selling a GM power steering pump that was lower pressure and a bolt on for the Gen. III Hemi. They wouldn't tell you which pump it was because they wanted to sell you theirs for double what the Rock Auto pumps ran.

Do any of you guys have a part number or whatever for a lower pressure power steering pump for these engines that is more compatible with the 70's power steering boxes?

[grimmey71]

Not sure what pump but I think reilly motorsports sells them too, maybe a camaro pump?

[70chall440]

Try one of these

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Heidts-PS-101-Adjustable-Power-Steering-Valve,14895.html

I am using one with an after market PS pump and a FF stage II box. I cant comment on how well they work as I don't have the car running yet. However I talked to Dick at FF and we went over steering box pressures; he told me that a stock Mopar box is designed to withstand 800 PSI max and most modern pumps produced 1200 or more. I developed a system where I am using a remote reservoir, regulator and 1200 PSI pump. I also installed a gauge so I could theoretically "dial" it in. Not sure how it will all work but we will see. 

[soundcontrol]

I have this issue also, wih the addition that I'm gonna run Hydraboost, and that system wants a high pressure pump, I ordered one from Bouchillion, they said it will work with both the FF Stage II box and the Hydraboost as long as I put a cooler on the returnline...
Maybe I can use that regulator only to the FF box?


Here is the pump I ordered:
http://www.bouchillonperformance.com/inc/sdetail/6714

[70chall440]

No idea what pressure that puts out but I am sure it is more than 800 psi. I would use the regulator from the pump to the box, you can then "tune" it to your liking (at least that is the concept).

[soundcontrol]

Will try that, would be cool to at least hook up a gauge temporary, to see what the pressure actually is.

[70chall440]

They must have designed it with this in mind because it has a port on the bottom (1/8 NF I think). This is where I am hooking up my gauge. On the gauge, I went to hydraulic store/shop and got one that maxed out at 2500 and had increments in the 100's I think. If I remember, it was like $20.

[Rolling_Thunder]

you can plumb in a adjustable block that allows you to adjust the pressure by bleeding off some of it -  or you can shim the pressure bypass valve in the ps pump itself

[3D]

I know some guys put the new hemi serpentine pulley on the old pumps.
Apparently its the same shaft size.

[heminut]

70Chall440, that pressure control valve you posted a link to looks like a great solution to the problem! I think that is the route I'll take. Thanks for the tip!

[wantone]

Looks soo cool in there!

[70chall440]

70Chall440, that pressure control valve you posted a link to looks like a great solution to the problem! I think that is the route I'll take. Thanks for the tip!

Hope it works out, by all accounts it should give you want you need.

[PlumCrazyChris]

70Chall440, that pressure control valve you posted a link to looks like a great solution to the problem! I think that is the route I'll take. Thanks for the tip!

Heminut, did you try the pressure control valve?   How did it work?  do you have a writeup of the install? 

Thanks,
Chris

[heminut]

I got the pressure relief valve from Speedway but never did install it. I got the Cuda out of mothballs recently after sitting for 3 years (long story involving the purchase of a 5th wheel RV). After sorting out the fuel system and putting in a new shifter (B&M shifter cables seem to freeze up after sitting too long) I got it up and running. Of course, I put the pressure relief valve away somewhere where I would not forget and of course now I can't remember where that was. I KNOW I'm the only person that does that kind of crap!

Anyway, after doing some research I found a Youtube video that outlines how the Genlll power steering pumps are Toyota pumps and you can go to the junkyard and source a pump from a couple of different Toyotas and swap out the pressure relief valve and spring and get the Hemi pump down to a known pressure range that works for the early steering boxes.

I'm at my son's right now and working on a laptop with a mousepad so I'm kind of stumbling around with the operation of this thing (yeah, I'm a 'puter 'tard) but when I get home in the next couple of days and can access my notes I'll post a link to the video and put up the info I have on the relief valves.

As soon as I have a little time I'll hit a friend's salvage yard and see if I can get the relief valve I need and get it swapped out. I'll post back about how it works. I'm sure that once I do all this the Speedway adjustable pressure valve will turn up if anyone is interested in buying it!

[70chall440]

Very cool, I am getting ready to put a 5.7 into a 71 Charger and I have given some thought to the PS pump and box. I think I am going to use a Borgeson box and a Holley pump which matches the Borgeson box pretty well.

I will be watching this thread