Borgenson steering box installed...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 3
Borgenson steering box installed...
Finally had a chance to drive the car after installing the new steering box. My car is a 1979 with about 80,000 miles. The front end was rebuilt about 25,000 miles ago. The differance is amazing. The steering is nice a tight and no wandering on the highway. Before with 275's on the car it drifter with every rut in the road. I dont really notice the quicker steering but the assist is a little strong for me. Just need to adjust to it!
The install was pretty strait forward and onlt y two issues. First is when they tell you you need to collapse the column a little they are off by a bit. You have to compress it all the way so there is little use if you ever need the safety margain it is supposed to give. Second was the clutch z bar hit the box when depressing the cluthh. Remove the z bar and a little bending cured that proble.
It was a great upgrade and with the overdrive 5 speed it makes the car highway cruiser now..
The install was pretty strait forward and onlt y two issues. First is when they tell you you need to collapse the column a little they are off by a bit. You have to compress it all the way so there is little use if you ever need the safety margain it is supposed to give. Second was the clutch z bar hit the box when depressing the cluthh. Remove the z bar and a little bending cured that proble.
It was a great upgrade and with the overdrive 5 speed it makes the car highway cruiser now..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Clutch linkage
toyvet 1
Thanks for the write up. Interesting about the clutch linkage, I fitted a Borgeson box to my '74 manual in October last year and did not have a noticeable problem with the linkage. The only problem was the AIR tube to #3 cylinder, there was no way it would fit, so I removed the whole system and fitted brass plugs in the holes.
I only just got the car roadworthy'd and registered in the last two weeks and went for my first "legal" drive in it yesterday. Car ran great, but could not turn heater off, so had the window down a few inches to let the heat out.
Yes, you have to compress the shaft more than two inches, but I'm sure that there is still some "collapsibility" left in it. Maybe Jim Shea can shed a little light here on how much was originally built in at the factory.
Now I need to fit an overdrive gearbox, as I was pulling 2,500 rpm at about 60 mph, but they're bloody expensive Down Under. I was offered a re-built Tremec 5 speed for AU$1,700 recently, but the cost doesn't end there, as you should know.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Thanks for the write up. Interesting about the clutch linkage, I fitted a Borgeson box to my '74 manual in October last year and did not have a noticeable problem with the linkage. The only problem was the AIR tube to #3 cylinder, there was no way it would fit, so I removed the whole system and fitted brass plugs in the holes.
I only just got the car roadworthy'd and registered in the last two weeks and went for my first "legal" drive in it yesterday. Car ran great, but could not turn heater off, so had the window down a few inches to let the heat out.
Yes, you have to compress the shaft more than two inches, but I'm sure that there is still some "collapsibility" left in it. Maybe Jim Shea can shed a little light here on how much was originally built in at the factory.
Now I need to fit an overdrive gearbox, as I was pulling 2,500 rpm at about 60 mph, but they're bloody expensive Down Under. I was offered a re-built Tremec 5 speed for AU$1,700 recently, but the cost doesn't end there, as you should know.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
Steering becomes 'slower' and 'heavier' as you add more caster. C3's are famous for losing caster as the frame settles, and you wind up with very little. Replace your upper A arms with offset ones, dial in 4 to 5 degrees caster, and your steering will feel less boosted and a bit less quick/twitchy.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Per Jim Shea in this thread, post #14 http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...n-options.html
There is about 7 to 8 inches of collapse designed into the Saginaw
C2/C3 energy absorbing steering column.
I too thought the Borgeson was a mite overboosted, and I had every bit of caster dialed into the front end. Perhaps I'll get used to it. The car is down right not with a fuel delivery problem and waiting for a new fuel tank. What little bit I did drive it with the Borgeson made it feel like a new car
Pete
There is about 7 to 8 inches of collapse designed into the Saginaw
C2/C3 energy absorbing steering column.
I too thought the Borgeson was a mite overboosted, and I had every bit of caster dialed into the front end. Perhaps I'll get used to it. The car is down right not with a fuel delivery problem and waiting for a new fuel tank. What little bit I did drive it with the Borgeson made it feel like a new car
Pete
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 3
Factory pitman arm. The kit came with everything but fluid to do the job. The hoses are super heavy duty and are a little tough to hook up but are really high quality..
Im wondering if i can lower the boost level of the pump?
Im wondering if i can lower the boost level of the pump?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
That is a very nasty questions as both systems are top.
It is left up to you what system you prefer, but for a start, the rack&pinion is more expensive.
Both are reported to feel overboosted, so no difference here.
Both are modern steering systems used in modern cars.
There are plenty of threads that try to find a way to reduce the overboost situation and if I remember right, lowering the pump pressure is not the solution. Also there seems to be a kit for the pump pressure or flow regulation change.
I was planning to use a electric steering pump if I ever modify from non PS to PS. Gives full PS ability also in idle power , where most fluid flow is required.
Rgds. Günther
That is a very nasty questions as both systems are top.
It is left up to you what system you prefer, but for a start, the rack&pinion is more expensive.
Both are reported to feel overboosted, so no difference here.
Both are modern steering systems used in modern cars.
There are plenty of threads that try to find a way to reduce the overboost situation and if I remember right, lowering the pump pressure is not the solution. Also there seems to be a kit for the pump pressure or flow regulation change.
I was planning to use a electric steering pump if I ever modify from non PS to PS. Gives full PS ability also in idle power , where most fluid flow is required.
Rgds. Günther
