SAS ram assist pump

[Korby7]

I’ve been putting off installing the PSC ram assist on my straight axle, it seems to have taken it’s toll and the power steering pump has crapped out. I’m looking for a replacement and from what I can find the OEM pump is 1450psi and the PSC is 1600psi. Anyone have any experience fitting up a PSC pump or is the OEM sufficient to run ram assist? I’d rather the 1600psi but like the idea of not having to modify to fit. Any experience or input is appreciated.

 

[jimmy p]

I'm running a sas and psc ram assist with a rebuilt and tapped xterra box with a new v8 oem pump, it has been working fine this year. I did go through several pumps after my first pump went, I suspect due to debris in the system from the pump failure. This last time I did a new h3 alpha oem pump, complete flush, ps cooler and inline filter and that seems to have done the trick finally.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[cgalpha08]

A couple of us have been looking at running a relocation kit with a psc pump and remote reservoir.

Basically this:
https://www.wideopendesign.com/wide-open-design-gm-ls-alternator-pwr-steering-pump-relocation-kit

And add a pump and remote reservoir.

Imo would solve a few issues.
-for the v8, would solve some clearance issues between the factory reservoir and the steering box
-allow for a remote reservoir of the aluminum kind
-won't need to rely on factory parts still being around (I know the Colorado v8 and ours share the same pump/reservoir combo) but that's bound to dry up eventually


I run a ps cooler, IIRC I think you do as well. But by relocating the pump and mounting a reservoir up higher, you could put the ps cooler up in front of fhe radiator like it should be. I'm not happy with where mine is. It works but it could be better.

That being said. I've been running a ram assist and several others have on the factory system and have been ok. I think the psc ram calls for more pressure than the oem pump puts out though.

This is where I mounted my cooler. It's just a heating pass trough. Due to fluid dynamics, as I understand it, I couldn't mount it in front of the rad because the reservoir needs to be the highest point I the system (could be wrong on that)

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[jimmy p]

-won't need to rely on factory parts still being around (I know the Colorado v8 and ours share the same pump/reservoir combo)

I think the psc ram calls for more pressure than the oem pump puts out though

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

FYI for v8s the trailblazer 5.3 & 6.0 pumps are similar location, tank and size with different hose orientation but will work if the h3 alpha/colorado pumps go out of production. I have run all 3 now.

Also were you able to locate specs for or test the pump pressure vs speed? I searched but couldn't find anything reliable on the net when I was trying to confirm before installing my ram. From what I could find there were other pump with info out there but it was pressure rated at max rpm but I am not sure how valuable that is.



Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[cgalpha08]

FYI for v8s the trailblazer 5.3 & 6.0 pumps are similar location, tank and size with different hose orientation but will work if the h3 alpha/colorado pumps go out of production. I have run all 3 now.

Also were you able to locate specs for or test the pump pressure vs speed? I searched but couldn't find anything reliable on the net when I was trying to confirm before installing my ram. From what I could find there were other pump with info out there but it was pressure rated at max rpm but I am not sure how valuable that is.



Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Oh neat! That's good to know.

I don't have any hard numbers on pump pressures for oem, other than I think/heard factory is like 1500 ish? If that's at max rpm I wonder what it is at say 2k ish. Some of the psc pumps on their website state upwards of 1800 psi, but then again that might be at max rpm only, I may ask them what it us at other rpm ranges.

I added a cooler because I noticed the pump was ridiculously hot, as in, couldn't touch it for more than a second hot. The heat sink I installed puts off a lot of heat as well, so I guess that's a good thing?

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[Korby7]

Based off of what everyone is saying, I've ordered an OEM for the sake of time and $ right now (Gotta pay for the Thorparts rear bumper next month). I'll revisit in the spring and fit a PSC pump if I don't have higher priorities then. Thank you everyone for your input. :thumbs:

 

[jimmy p]

I added a cooler because I noticed the pump was ridiculously hot, as in, couldn't touch it for more than a second hot. The heat sink I installed puts off a lot of heat as well, so I guess that's a good thing?

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Mine gets hot too, not sure if it due to exhaust heat, because everything under the hood gets hot to the touch, or if the pump is just working that hard. I also read about making sure the cooler was below the reservoir to avoid drain back, but recently had to raise it slightly when I installed a winch. So far so good, it doesn't appear to be draining into the reservoir when the engine is off. The low mounted pump really limits mounting options for a cooler.


Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk