wmf62

i can't guess at lock-to-lock, but it should be dependent on the length of the pitman arm. the major improvement will be in the ease of steering; sloppiness will depend on the condition of the mechanical joints in the front end.
Bill

Viking427

In any case, in my humble opinion, someone would be better served replicating Steeroid's C1 rack & pinion setup in their backyard for roughly the same amount of effort/fabrication/cost. The R&P will provide better feel and more precise response with less linkage. How hard can it be to whip up two (frame) mounting brackets and a center link for a J-body/T-bird rack ? Certainly less than the $1200+ Steeroids quoted for just their rack & brackets with no column.

http://speeddirect.com/downloads/ins...0for%20web.pdf

wmf62

too late for me to do it, but go for it...

Bill

Doug1964

I definitely think you would get a much more responsive system going with a r&p system. I just thought the Steeroids system pricey and I doubted my ability to fabricate fairly intricate brackets without the whole thing looking like a frankensteerer when I was done. I figured I would get into it and decide I would have to break down and buy the steeroids. I also think it looks a pretty tight trying to get the steering shaft and joints down to the rack. I think they just barely clear the exhaust and spark plug from what I understand.

Another option would be to buy just the steeroid brackets if you had a line on the other r&p components at a lower price. The steeroids brackets sell retail for $640 for just the brackets. They range from $100 to $160 each.

1960Vette

This is another power steering system that could probably be made to work since it is designed to fit the early 50's passenger cars, but mounting a pump would still pose a problem if keeping the original motor mount. Small pump with remote reservoir could be used.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/49-50-51-52-...sories&vxp=mtr

Doug1964

I wondered if such a system would work. I like it for its simplicity because you are basically using all the original linkage in the exact configuration which it was originally intended which prevents any unusual or unanticipated characterictics and preserves as much of the original car as possible. The only question I would have is would raising the pivot point of the vertical pitman arm cause any clearance problems in a corvette. It looks like maybe you would be raising it 2-3 inches at most. You could not just use a longer pitman arm because that would change the geometry considerably and probably give you too quick of a reaction. I think a person could take an early ford bronco box, build a bracket to mount to the frame rail and you would be set. The only difficult part is shortening and attaching the steering column.

When you see the price of some of the other kits, including some rack and pinion kits, it sure makes you wonder if the $2,125 plus additional parts cost for a steeroids system is worth it. I wonder about clearance issues with the steeroids steering shaft down past the manifold and ignition shielding.

x0000rgw

Look at post #7
This was my design that pre-dated the Crane add by about 3 months.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-steering.html

It is a straight forward conversion, ( if you can build two simple brackets).
I have included the parts list and cost. ( Three years ago cost)

Ray

wmf62

I have Cranes video of the installation; Cranes setup is a nightmare, I wouldn't have it on my lawnmower...


Bill