Flow Valve Fittings

Most vane type power steering pumps have a 2-step control valve, which is the spool valve (one internal spring, and one external spring). KRC pumps add one more level of flow control with our series of interchangeable flow control fittings.

KRC Power Steering offers several combinations of pump sizes and flow control fittings for each application. Each driver can dial in the pump for the feel they desire. KRC offers three camring sizes: 5.9cc, 7.2cc, and 9.6cc. We offer nine different flow control fittings, both in aluminum and steel. Each choice has its own advantages and disadvantages. More flow will create more assistance, but its tradeoff is feel. Smaller flow control fittings will give the driver more feel for how the car is reacting, but will provide less assist.

We have noticed that in 5.9cc pumps, the larger flow valves can create issues. This is because the smaller camring pump can only produce so much flow, and the larger flow fittings are so large, they reduce the velocity of the fluid. If the flow control fitting is too large, the pump will not have enough pressure to work properly. This means that if there is not enough pressure, the pump can create a pulsating flow because of the fluid being expelled by each rotor vane. This affects the flow rate and pressure that assists the gear in a negative way. On the contrary, a 7.2cc pump with a standard flow control fitting will take slightly more horsepower to run, and will flow slightly less. Do not let this fool you, the fluid leaving the pump is traveling at a much higher velocity, and increases the fluid’s dynamic pressure. This way you are not "starving" the pump and are creating pressure inside of the pump so it can work properly.