Collapsible steering column choices

[willo]

Hi all,
It looks like i may need to change my steering column to a collapsible one for NSW engineering after the V6 transplant.  Because  have increased the horsepower by more than 40% I must now have a collapsible steering column.  101kw to 147kw
So, I need help. (Some would probably suggest that this statement is very accurate  )
I have seen whole of dash transplants from Commodores etc but I am keeping the Bedford instrument binnacle and am wondering if there is a collapsible steering column that will pretty much bolt in.

Has anyone got any suggestions or had any experiences that they can share?

Thanks

Neil

[BusyKiwi]

strange that. our engineer here in NZ reckons the CF steering column is classed as a collapsible column because the universal angle joint and the column angle; ie if hit in the front the uni would either break and/or the column would be forced backwards not up like a cars would.

Anything like a falcon or commodore should fit without changing the dash. When i fitted the VN steering column in my standard cf I used the original steering column mount, just had to flare out the floor mount and used an upside down vn commodore column extender universal thing to join the CF rack. I did change the dash but am pretty sure the steering wheel would clear the cf dash. wiring might be a problem as the commodore wipers are on the side of the dash

[hammondo]

I did VN in mine, was relatively straight forward, but with different dash. I think it would also work with stock dash.

[Bas / NZ]

Yep, my VN is also bolted up to the original steering column mount.

[willo]

Thank you for your replies.
I was concerned about wiring and strength of the column to support the instruments.  I assumed that the outer case would be "flexible???" to allow compression as well and was wondering about it's ability to hold the weight.
Also, I was unsure about the wiring if Commodores had an earth back system in the column instead of the "Prince of Darkness's" live wires.

I do wonder if i might be able to put up the argument that it already is collapsible.  We'll see.

Thank you everyone.  I will go find a VN column and see how it looks.

Cheers

Neil

[MaTTe]

ive got a couple of falcon steering columns here if anyone is interested, they're somewhere between EA and ED from memory

[willo]

A bit more info that might help people doing a V6 swap.
The 202 is recorded as having 101kw.
The VT V6 is recorded as having 147kw.
the difference being 46kw (We won't go into how this was all measured in the day but suffice to say, "lies, more lies and statistics".
46/101 = 45% (and some loose change)

So, when we check on the NSW RTA site, we are allowed a 45% increase BEFORE i am required to fit a collapsible steering column.

Hopefully, Happy days.

Neil

[MaTTe]

Thats interesting the 202 is rated at 101kw, from memory the HQ-Z 202's were closer to 80kw, and i thought VT v6s were 151kw

[willo]

Thats interesting the 202 is rated at 101kw, from memory the HQ-Z 202's were closer to 80kw, and i thought VT v6s were 151kw

Could be a lot in what you are saying MaTTe.  I'm going on the data that is under HQ and VT in Wikipedia.  I know that the power figures were measured in different ways in the past but that works for me... so i am going with it
HQ 202 High Compression had 101kw
VT V6 had 147kw.

I've also seen similar figures in manuals so they must be pretty often quoted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_HQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT_Commodore

BTW, ADR10 is the Australian Design Rule for collapsible steering column fitment and when i checked the ADR Compliance plate on mine there are a lot of other ADRs listed but unfortunately, ADR10 is not one of them.  The Bedford column is not regarded as being a collapsible one.

Cheers

Neil

[BusyKiwi]

Is strange how the rules vary around the world.
Over here we can weld a tank to the front of a van without a problem but for a car you can't strengthen it more than factory, i.e. it has to retain the crumple zones