Before I invest too much time and money into this I need to run some tests.
I plan on using a drill and a kill-a-watt meter to determin how much power it takes to idle my P/S pump.
Basicly connect a side drill to the P/S with the belt off, spin the drill up to its max RPM, record power consumption take an RPM reading.
Then operate the drill at the same RPM with no load and subtract that from loaded power consumption. Then record power consumption loaded and unloaded at 50% and 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of full drill speed.
That way I can chart horse power consumption of my engine cruise speed of 1600rpms even if my drill only spins the pump to 1200 or 1000 rpms.
You would need to get a hydraulic pump clutch pully and adapt it from 1-1/4 keyed shaft to what ever your power steering pump is.
For me the process would be to source a 1-1/4 inch keyed shaft to .75'' press fit adaptor and wire it up.
My solution:
http://www.hydraulicstore.com/clutchpumps.html
This clutch is way over kill for a 3.7gpm (standard GM saganaw flow rate) at less than 1000psi and should out last the pump its on.
What others have done:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ing-14952.html
Not sure how much punishment that clutch can take.
Another possibility might be to use a universal electric water pump drive kit.
Water Pump, Electric Drive Kits - SummitRacing.com
My consern there is that motor might not be strong enough to run a hydraulic pump.
And there is this:
Unisteer Performance 8051500 - Unisteer Electra Steer Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Woefully under powered for a 6000lb suburban that tows.
Its not economical, that much money will buy a lota gas, unless you do it cause you dont have P/S and want it, but with out the drag that comes with running a pump all the time.
I thought about going to electric power steering, but my electrical system is already running hard enough, I have on board air compressor stuff to add, transmission cooler to move, new exhaust to run and water injection to expand.
Also hydraulic power gives me power braking, I dont have a vacuum brake booster.
So I need something small, dependable, didn't draw a ton of power so that pump clutch set up looks like what I need.