Hey guys,
I know this has been discussed before now and then, but I just installed this system on my 69 and the result is simply fantastic! In my experience with car and aircraft restoration, seldom does an aftermarket component come anywhere near to the advertised performance improvement.
I can absolutely vouch for the Borgeson conversion. My car had power steering from the factory and during the restoration every component firewall forward was rebuilt or replaced with new components including the factory power steering system. Although the factory system worked as advertised it still had some of the annoying issues associated with the old hydraulic valve and ram.
The Borgeson system instantly upgrades the feel of the steering to 2010 technology. It is like driving a new production car. I drove a new 2010 Camaro this weekend and my 69 Corvette now feels just like that. It is fantastic! It looks very stock and most people will not notice it unless you intend to have it judged to NCRS standards. If you plan to actually drive your C3 this is the single best mod I have ever installed!
Just thought you might like to know.....
Brad

 

I'm REAL glad to hear that...because I want to do it to my '74 !
Thank you for the report !

 

Good to see the rave reviews on the Borgeson system continue to pour in

I've had mine for almost a year, not a single problem

 

Do you have a web site?

 

When we were in the aircraft restoration business we had a website: vintagefighters.com. I'm not sure if its still up or not. We closed our business about 2 years ago. We rebuilt WWII fighters, primarily P-51Mustangs and F4U-1 Corsairs.

A couple of other notes on the Borgeson Conversion:
The instructions say to remove the steering column. I called Borgeson tech and they told me that no one has so far had to remove the column. The impact shaft will telescope up into the column. We had some difficulty getting the shaft to collapse, but it finally did and the new steering box fit perfectly. The column was not touched. The instructions also say that you may need to modify the brake lines and proportioning valve but we did not have to disturb either.
Brad

 

How did you find the Borgeson, and feel, tighter ratio compared to the original in city and on highway?

Thanks
Lars

 

ttt!

 

Hi couple of questions do you have a BB or SB and headers or stock manifolds ?

Thanks
ikwhite

 

I'm really curious to know about how the Borgeson box is compared to a rack & pinion, I really want a better steering system for my '71, but I can't decide which rout.

 

Hey guys,
Sorry it has taken me a while to get back to you, but I've been out of town for a bit.

The Borgeson steering box was installed in my 1969 350. It does not have headers, but there appears plenty of room if you did. As far as handling goes, it is just super. It does not feel that much different than stock power steering as far as steering wheel pressure to move the tires. It completely removes the slight wandering the stock system had. Basically, it feels exactly like a new car. I drove a 2010 Camaro as a rental a couple of weeks ago and my 69 now drives just as nice.

I really have not noticed the slightly higher steering ratio. It drives perfectly on the highway and in town. I can't say enough about it. The only difficulty we had was getting the steering shaft to telescope back up into the steering column for installation of the steering box. We soaked it for a day or so with penetrant and then it fianlly gave way. Other than that, the installation as a breeze.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, let me know...
Brad

 

Brad,

I have a couple of questions for you.

I was toying with the idea of doing this mod to my 69 but was afraid of the reports of having to relocate the brake connection block. You said that you didn't have to move yours. Was/is yours in the stock location?

Another question: With the stock steering box and small block with manifolds, I find it very difficult to access the #3 spark plug. As the Borgeson box looks to be a bit bigger are there any spark plug access issues on your 69?

Thanks.

Dave

 

 

Dave,
My brake proportioning valve and brake lines were all stock and in the stock location. There were no interference issues with those at all on my 69. The steering box is a little larger but not by much. The box itself is about the same size as the original but the end facing the steering column is larger or longer rather. I don't believe there will be any real issues with spark plug replacement either. I didn't have to make any modifications to my car for this to fit. You will be glad you made the switch if you install this thing. I love it and have nothing to criticize at all.
See ya,
Brad

 

Looks like a pretty slick setup, if you ask me!

http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/produc...5&cat=49&page=

Deja

 

I'll ask the same question again, would it be better to add $300 or so and have a rack & pinion instead? , I think its much easier to install and it would free up a ton of space by removing the steering box and the idler arm, needless to say bringing up the steering system to the 3rd millennium technology.

 

$300?? Must be a custom retrofit? All of the R&P units I've seen are a lot more. http://www.engineceramics.com/hardpart/steriods.htm

Deja

 

ya misread him. he meant add $300 buck to what you paid for the borgeson system

 

Brad,
Thanks for the feedback.

Were you able to reuse your existing rag joint or did you have to get a different one?

Dave

 

You need a special rag-joint from Borgeson but you also can get a u-joint from them.
I personally prefer the u-joint!
Btw: I have a 427ci BB with Headman headers. I had to dimple a bit the header at cylinder #3 and #5.
I also hadn´t to remove any break lines.
The Borgeson box with BigBlock and Headers is pretty tight, but it works.

The first box I bought from them, there was still a little play when I drove straight away . So I contacted Gil from Borgeson and he sent me a complete new box to change - for free! That´s a really great customer-service!
Now I changed the box but couldn´t make a testdrive, because the weather is ****ing-bad here in Austria.
I think the next days I´m able to make a testdrive and then give you a feedback if the play is gone or not.

Here are some pics if you are interested:

 

Hamad,

In my opinion, NO, it would NOT be better to pay another $300 for a R&P. Think about both systems for a minute. With the R&P, you have to remove both tie rods and the drag link (along with the steering box). You put in a R&P that hangs LOW under the oil pan. You put in a two or three piece steering shaft, the latter with a shaft support, and if you use a power version, the hoses hang down under the engine, just like the original.

Then there is a problem with bump steer, as these R&P units are a centre take off model, where the new tie rods are longer than the stock lower A-arms, and this is a recipe for bump steer. And finally, it is a rear mount rack, and common knowledge is that R&P units work best in a front steer application.

When you go to a Borgeson system, the new box bolts straight in where the original one went, and you use the factory tie rods and drag link, so there are no bump steer issues. You even retain the original Pitman arm. You use the same parts in the same places that GM designed them to be. And nothing NEW hangs below the engine. Only two hoses are used, and they stay at or above the chassis rail, so cannot get caught when going over rough ground, etc.

And as for the "third millenium technology", the first mass produced car that used R&P was the Morris Minor, and that came out in the late forties. Hardly modern!

Stick with the Borgeson system, it leaves the others for dead.

Regards from Down Under

aussiejohn