Quick question, how involved would it be to install hicas on an Aussie delivered 2+2 (originally na auto, to be converted to tt manual)? I have a JDM 2+0 tt manual to donate parts... Is it just a matter of swapping subframes, installing the solenoids and plumbing it up? Obviously new hydraulic lines to the rear to make up the extra length. Is there much involved electronically? Or perhaps easier to pinch the loom from the JDM car too?
Because he wants HICAS. It would be a lot of work, but not impossible. It would probably be a better idea to install the electric HICAS from a post 09/1993 TT rather than the earlier hydraulic system.
I had never driven one with HICAS until I got the parts car driving, and I was really impressed with the way it turned in. I'm not completely sold on the idea, just wondering how much work it would be, considering I have the parts there.
Hell of a lot of work for something most consider a backwards step. You'd need a HICAS ECU, the TT power steering pump, reservoir, and associated plumbing, the hydraulic lines, a HICAS ram, in fact you'd need a TT rear end as there isn't anywhere to bolt a HICAS ram to on an NA subframe.... so even more of a backwards step as the gears would get taller...
You'd probably have to change wiring harness someplace too (there are 10 total in the car and at least 3 of them off the top of my head involve HICAS) The answer you're looking for is "a shitload, don't do it."
How hard did you drive the parts car? I would be questioning whether you felt the hicas at work or just a better wheel alignment, hicas only kicks in at high speeds and with aggressive turn in.
HICAS ECU - you mean just having a Twin Turbo ECU, right? Isn't it just linked through the power steering control module? EDIT: Or is that just for the earlier Hydraulic HICAS and Super-HICAS used it's own computer separate from the speed sensors?
There's a HICAS control module -not sure how that differs from an NA (I've never considered retro fitting HICAS) but the HICAS computer uses speed and strong position data so I presume the hardware is different
Sounds like it would be a fair bit of work, but I'm not completely turned off... One last thing to consider, I know the steering racks have different ratio for hicas or not... And obviously wheel base is different between the two cars, does anyone know about the programing of the control unit? Would the longer wheelbase and faster rack be detrimental?
Did an opinion poll a while back on deletes and there was a majority for all deletes except HICAS - which came back at 50% both ways. Seems HICAS is loved and hated equally amongst Z owners :rofl:
