I deliver pizzas, and in an effort to get better gas milage (and performance, I won't lie) I've been stripping my 'balt. It's an '08 LS sedan. I've removed everything from the trunk except the battery, the rear seats along with the support bar, and the passenger seat. Now I'm looking at completely removing the power steering system. I need to know how much roughly it weighs, and also how to do it.
Power Steering
- Thread starter 08Sedan
- Start date
It's an electric motor attached to the steering column under the dash, have a look under there, it's the black canister looking thing coming off the left side. Weighs maybe 5lbs max, IMO not worth removing with such a small steering wheel. If you can't figure out how to remove it you probably shouldn't.
Also you'll have a "power steering" message on the DIC every time you start it up, I think a CEL too.
Also you'll have a "power steering" message on the DIC every time you start it up, I think a CEL too.
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Not even, there's a controller module that's integrated into the column and the electric motor attached to that. Gotta love electric power steering.
Probably so.
donnkesterjr
Member
Yes. A hydraulic power steering would have a resevoir, rubber hydraulic lines, and a belt driven pump. When ecomodding vehicles, it's a common thing to swap a power steering rack for a manual one. Electric power steering would have 0 effect on your MPG's because it is not driven by the drive belt.
I still deliver pizzas in my Cobalt as well, but I used to own a 2001 Saturn SL1. I ecomodded it to get better gas mileage. The manual steering rack was my next move when it finally got killed by electrical bugs at 298K+ miles.
The first step is to look at anything run off the drive belt (which I believe is the A/C, tensioner wheel, alternator, crank, and one more I'm sure I'm missing).
If you live in an area where removing A/C is possible without being overly uncomfortable, removing the whole system not only removes it from the drive belt, but also reduces the weight (albeit very slightly, but every pound counts on these small cars).
Also, switching to lightweight pulleys reduces the amount of power required to turn them, thereby allowing your engine to run more efficiently. MRZ performance sells lightweight pulleys for our cars for the crank & alternator. Both require you to use an impact driver to remove the factory pulley & then to reinstall the lightweight ones. You will just have to remember to change the pulley out every time you replace the alternator.
Lightweight Alternator Pulley - Ecotec 2.0LNF/2.2/2.4 - 5 ribs
5 ribs - Ecotec Lightweight Crank Pulley - 2.0LNF/2.2/2.4
Also, anything you do to shave weight will also increase your milage, but not by as much as removing/improving on the drive belt system.
On my Saturn, I completely removed the back seats, passenger seat, all seat belts except the drivers, most of the trim & carpeting, and the A/C system. I was averaging almost 50 MPG with street driving & about 55 MPG highway.
Only things that the serpentine belt drives are the AC compressor and alternator. Only other wheels are crank and tensioner. Unless supercharged, then there is that too.
donnkesterjr
Member
The MRZ crank pulley has been known to develop a slight oil leak, so in my opinion, I would really only stick with swapping the alternator pulley. I'm not sure how much savings you will get out of it, but a bunch of little numbers add up to bigger numbers when it's all said & done. Depending on where in the South East you are, you might be able to remove the stock A/C system & run with the 4-40 A/C. That would net you a far better gain. Check this place out:
Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com
Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com