69 Without Power Steering
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
also the OEM power "Assist slave valve" steering is pretty much a dog.
I would not worry about no OEM power steering.
If you find the car you like, throw in a new rack and pinion.
I would not worry about no OEM power steering.
If you find the car you like, throw in a new rack and pinion.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,353
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
My 68 was manual steering from the factory. Parking was a nuisance, turning the wheel would lift me a little out of the seat. No problem on the road. The 68 has a big diameter steering wheel that helped.
Why I changed...several times when parking, the front wheels would hit one of those concrete stops in the parking lot. The steering wheel would make a snap rotation and the steel spoke of the wheel would hit a finger joint (thumb or index finger). That really hurt. After this happened a few times, I bought a PS kit.
Why I changed...several times when parking, the front wheels would hit one of those concrete stops in the parking lot. The steering wheel would make a snap rotation and the steel spoke of the wheel would hit a finger joint (thumb or index finger). That really hurt. After this happened a few times, I bought a PS kit.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 634
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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One of my concerns is altering the future value of the car (although at 55, I don't now how much future I have!) Is aftermarket PS strictly add-on or does the chassis (IE holds drilled etc ) have to be done? And if it is simply add-on, I assume it can easily be removed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Gary
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,210
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Thanks again to all. I've really gotten a lot of feedback which is definitely helping with my decision. Glad I joined this forum and hope to help someone out down the road.
Larry
Larry
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,210
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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OK,OK, I'm going to look at the car. Made an initial inquire about the cost of adding PS to a local Vette shop and the ball park quote came in around $2000. This is pretty much what I thought it might cost. Am I (and the quote) way off the mark?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 634
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Yeah but they were probably on the WWF circuit. Thanks for your input though.
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From: Butler Pa
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From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Gary
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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I think some of you are missing the point. Yes, I have driven a car without PS and if you can believe it, actually learned how to drive on a standard shift car and had to roll up the windows when it started to rain. People also washed their clothes 50 ago on a washboard or a washing machine that had a ringer on top and then would put them on a clothesline to dry. Does that mean we should do in now? Wait...is that the ice man and the knife sharpener I hear? Having been there and done that, Im glad I live in the 21st centuary and not in the past.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
Likes: 3,333
From: NYC NY
With all the discussion about how hard a Corvette without power steering is to turn I'm surprised noone has brought up it's one less LEAK to worry about. If the car is going to see limited use there is lots to leak on a factory power steering unit. Something to think about? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
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From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
I think some of you are missing the point. Yes, I have driven a car without PS and if you can believe it, actually learned how to drive on a standard shift car and had to roll up the windows when it started to rain. People also washed their clothes 50 ago on a washboard or a washing machine that had a ringer on top and then would put them on a clothesline to dry. Does that mean we should do in now? Wait...is that the ice man and the knife sharpener I hear? Having been there and done that, Im glad I live in the 21st centuary and not in the past.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
A non-power steering car is really only different in very low speed operation. Granted parallel parking is more difficult, but as soon as the car is rolling the steering should be very easy and provide more response than a power steering system. The power steering systems in the C3 are prone to leaking and many have been rebuilt or adjusted incorrectly so the steering doesn't work as designed.
Manual steering has many more + features than - features IMO.
You can always put in a rack&pinion system if you want modern power steering. There are conversions available that would probably cost less than the $2000 you were quoted for a stock system.
Rick B.
Manual steering has many more + features than - features IMO.
You can always put in a rack&pinion system if you want modern power steering. There are conversions available that would probably cost less than the $2000 you were quoted for a stock system.
Rick B.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 275
Likes: 3
From: MI
I ran with manual steering for a while, parking wasn't bad, but I have aluminum heads intake water pump....
What bothered me was trying to throw it around a corner. with power steering you can really whip it over. with manual it's a LOT slower!
Oh Yea I also have a rack and pinion...
What bothered me was trying to throw it around a corner. with power steering you can really whip it over. with manual it's a LOT slower!
Oh Yea I also have a rack and pinion...
