Difference in steering between SARC & non/SARC Cars?

[SHOBrad]

I welded a '99 this weekend that had AWESOME steering feel and was wondering what the difference was in the SARC (my '97) SHO's and this one (non SARC '99). I have worked on several '99's and never really noticed much difference before. The car was owned by Xmann01 and was about the fastest SHO I have ever driven too. It was completely stock and a real road rocket! The car had so much road feel that you would it made you want to push it much harder into the curves than I would ever think about with mine. Maybe this is a sign that I need to start thinking about new struts. His had much less power steering assist through the entire speed range. Is there a way to add any adjustment to the variable assist? Do the non-SARC cars have variable assist?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Mr Anonymous]

IIRC, the '99s still have a SARC computer, just not the struts, specifically to regulate the VAPS. I'm pretty sure there's a mention of it in the '99 decontent TSB.

 

[99V8SHO]

I pulled the "SARC" fuse out in order to decrease the power steering assist. I love the way the steering is now. Nice and tight.

 

[SHOZ123]

All '96-'99 SHOs and 3.0L 4V SLOs use the SARC module in the trunk to control the VAPS.

 

[SHOBrad]

Looking at my skee-matics, it shows that the "ZF Gear Solenoid" is connected to the SARC module using a purple/yellow wire (return) and Grey/Orange wire (feed). Has anyone ever looked at the signal to see what the output is? I assume that it is some sort of oscillating signal, not just a more voltage=more power thing.

 

[SHOBrad]

I paid closer attention to my steering on the drive home from work with the SARC fuse pulled just to see if it was more like the '99 I described above. Definitely not, but I don't think it had as much to do with the amount of power assist as it did to do with the "springy" feel of my steering. I would center mine up (with the SARC fuse out) while stopped and turn the wheel slightly. As soon as I let go the wheel would spring back to center without turning the wheels. It would take probably 10° of rotation before I felt that I maxed out the "spring" feel and actually turned the wheel. When I was moving it wasn't as noticeable because it took less force to turn the tires.

I know on my old 5.0, there was a rubber link between the steering wheel and the rack that served to reduce road vibration. Some people replaced them with U-joints for better feel. Could mine (whatever is in there) on my SHO be wearing or are the '99's stiffer?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Xmann01]

I welded a '99 this weekend that had AWESOME steering feel and was wondering what the difference was in the SARC (my '97) SHO's and this one (non SARC '99). I have worked on several '99's and never really noticed much difference before. The car was owned by Xmann01 and was about the fastest SHO I have ever driven too. It was completely stock and a real road rocket! The car had so much road feel that you would it made you want to push it much harder into the curves than I would ever think about with mine. Maybe this is a sign that I need to start thinking about new struts. His had much less power steering assist through the entire speed range. Is there a way to add any adjustment to the variable assist? Do the non-SARC cars have variable assist?

Thanks,
Brad

Lol.... I guess you weren't kidding about the fast part eh? I guess I made the right choice in my search for a SHO.... The steering and road feel could also be partly owed to the 245's. You really have me curious now as to what she'll run at the track. Oh yeah... I checked and it has the sarc fuse..... Didn't check if I had sarc struts though.... so not sure since I have an early 99 with the O/D cancel button.