Power steering line cooler installed
 

Finally got the cooler installed ...
The attached Word Doc gives the basic information

The reason for this addition is a failed power steering return line plastic clip, lost
fluid all over engine(smoke, black flag, etc.), failed PS pump ($1000 repair)


This failure was due to track DE and AX on 02S with big rubber (245&285 KUMHO V710's)and H&R lowering springs. Several drivers in California have experienced this same thing. The high stress on the steering rack causes higher than normal fluid temperatures that melt the plactic clip on the return line at the back of the pump. The plastic clip only holds the return line into the pump hole - 2 rubber O-rings seal the line and fluid.
Some have had fluid leaks at other fluid line connecters. Also, another solution has been installed in Caymen race cars in Canada -- an undersize driveshaft pulley to reduce pump RPM.

My son and I like to drive fast and can keep up with most of the faster Porsches
on the track with our setup. Now, we won't have to worry about the PS failure happening again. :D


Comments or questions are welcome (flame suit is on)

Ed :cheers:

12/11/08 Update: Still no leaks in PS line or pump connectors - Several DE and Ax.

A friend of mine had one installed on his Boxster S. No problems yet!

I have not done a DE event yet but I really want to soon. So are you telling me that I must do this modification before I take the car on the track? I have never seen a post about this before. I have a 2000 Boxster S with 38,000 miles on it. I'll check with my local Porsche Tuner Race shop. Thanks for the heads up.

I feel you on the failing PS equipment, I changed my tank and pump by myself and am NEVER doing that again. It was a PIA to get to that pump to simply remove and replace.

This makes a lot of sense really. Stock tire size up frnt is 205 in street tires, you have some serious meat up there with 245 DOT racing tires and the car is lowered. The steering forces are probably 10 times greater. This puts high loads on all the steering and suspension components. In this case a PS cooler is a very good idea along with close inspection and possible beefing up other front end components to be sure they all hold up. When you are going 130mph down the back straight and setting up for the hairpin, steering failure sucks.

Performance mods are fun and a little like playing chess. Once you do one mod you then need to look down the road and see what other components are affected. Just like at 24 hr Le Mans, the goal is a fast and bulletproof ride. Bigger tires- suspension and steering. Bigger motor- better cooling, brakes, suspension, tires etc.

For those of us still content to run in stock classes on street tires a PS cooler is probably overkill. We will never generate the kind of heat and loads you get on your race prepared car.

I just posted this to you tube for anyone looking for a robust and effective P/S cooling solution for about $150. https://youtu.be/b2Uc7WaNu9c