My 67 327/350 has vintage air. I would like to add power steering. Wilcox has a 15% off sale this weekend that would save me $150, so I'd like to pull the trigger on the right parts.

What difference does it make that I have vintage air?

There are two kits offered for the small block, the "regular" kit and a high performance kit for +340hp. In reading it seems that high performance cars have a 6 quart oil pan that necessitates some different installation. My engine is stock, would I need the high performance kit or regular?

 

I installed the Borgeson Conversion. Do a search here and you will see how many members did this. Some members have also added the original GM system. The GM system has it's negative aspects, that why some did the Borgeson system over the GM. I can't compare the two, but mine only lakes a finger to turn and has very good road feel. Dennis

 

I was looking at the GM kit. While I have heard good things about the Borge son kit, cutting the steering column doesn't sound good to me.

 

Cutting the main shaft is no big deal, so don't let that scare you. Dennis

 

The original Corvette power steering is a master / slave system that has inherant slop in it. I have had C2 & C3 Vettes with both manual and original P.S., and if needed would go rack & pinion or Borgeson.

Plasticman

 

I put a rack and pinion on my 65 - no modifications and reverseable.

I would now consider the Dontov power steering option vs the rack

Phil

 

Joemac, your '67 should have a collapsable steering column so no cutting necessary if you go with the Borgeson kit, which I have on my '64. You would just "collapse" your column to shorten it the needed amount and bolt everything together.

 

The 350 hp 67 does not use a larger oil pan (and if it did the Borgeson kit is not affected). The Borgeson kit installs with no modification underneath the car, less opportunity for leaks, only has two hoses to the steering box and one is the low pressure return. It has a faster turn ratio. It is reversible. Your steering column can be tapped in a couple of inches to accommodate the Borgeson. You will most likely have to add a pulley to the balancer and buy the correct belt for your application.

The stock p/s uses the same steering box and rag joint, but the underneath needs to be modified to fit the additional parts for the p/s. You will still have to add a pulley and belt and have some extra hoses and fittings on the steering parts.

Your choice, I added the Borgeson to a 72 with a/c in an afternoon and it was the best mod I ever did to a car for driving. If I already had stock p/s, I would not change it to Borgeson and vice versa. If you go with Borgeson, a piece of advice: Center the wheels and steering wheel and block them. Center the box on the bench and mark it. Then double check the mark (you'll feel the drag at dead center, center that drag) after you mount the box to the frame. The pitman arm should slide right back up on the new box shaft as long as you haven't moved the wheels or steering wheel. To me the hardest parts were the rag joint and the extra pulley. You may also find the fill cap for the p/s cap is so close to the alternator bracket that it makes it hard to check or add fluid, but I think that might be true on the stock unit too.

 

Guys, brand new to this, so apologies in advance for asking a question that has doubtless been asked and answered a million times, but - does anyone make a bolt-in power steering conversion kit for a 1961 Vette? I'm seeing stuff about the electric conversions but haven't found anything yet on a bolt-in hydraulic system...Thank you.

 

Another vote for Borgeson.

 

Thank you! On the Borgeson website I am seeing kits for 1963-later Vettes and 1958-64 full size Chevys, but nothing specifically for a C1. Can the '63-later kits or the full-size Chevy kits be used as the basis for a '61 conversion? Thanks again!

 

Correct! That was exactly the case when installing the Borgeson kit on my
'67.

 

If you can find a car to drive with the Borgeson steering you wont even consider the factory style system and the cost is about the same.
Mark

 

SpeedDirect has rack/pinion kits for the c1 if you are interested. Their kits also come with a new column.

 

Look at Speed Directs Steeroids system. I have one that is being removed from a 62, it will be for sale in about 2 weeks. New only installed and used 2 months, went to a full C4 front suspension. Steroids works great.

 

there is no direct 'bolt-in' per se for a C1. any will require a new column or modification of the original; I would go for the new column as it uses a turn signal that actually works... I used the PS system that came with my TCI IFS and am extremely pleased

there is/was a PS system that used the original front steering system but there is so much slop in the original that I wouldn't even consider it ; a R&P is the way to go...

I also believe there is/was a Jeep box based system and a Ford F250 based system; but, again, R&P is the way to go...

Bill

 

On a C1 I would go with rack and pinion.