Borgeson steering feel

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Aug 17, 2020 | 04:32 PM

platinummaker

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Borgeson steering feel

Guys,
For those of you who have done the Borgeson Steering conversion, have you noticed more effort need be applied to make corrections while driving at speed as opposed to the stock system? I switched mine over about a month ago, and while I feel a more precise connection while steering, there is a significant increase required to move the wheel. At speed, it would compare to the steering effort of a non power steering car. PS pump belt is tight with no squealing and as I understand, the Borgeson needs less psi than the stock set up to provide the same feel and that many will actually reduce power steering pump psi to not over boost the new box. I have virtually all new steering and suspension components along with Van Steel semi coil overs, and new tires, however the stock pump as before. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Aug 17, 2020 | 05:40 PM

MelWff

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What is your caster setting? I believe Borgeson recommends 3 to 5.

Aug 17, 2020 | 06:54 PM

platinummaker

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MelWff

What is your caster setting? I believe Borgeson recommends 3 to 5.

Thanks MelWff. I can only get 2 with my stock upper control arms

Aug 17, 2020 | 06:57 PM

platinummaker

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Quote:

Originally Posted by platinummaker

Thanks MelWff. I can only get 2 with my stock upper control arms

Have spoken with Borgeson and they seem to think power steering pump. I would agree, but pump provided plenty of pressure for the stock system with no symptoms

Aug 18, 2020 | 02:50 PM

ignatz

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Quote:

Originally Posted by platinummaker

Guys,
as I understand, the Borgeson needs less psi than the stock set up to provide the same feel . Any thoughts? Thanks!

"as I understand" is rather non-specific. Notionally, since the Borgesen provides a faster steering ratio, you have less overall leverage available to you at the wheel, everything else being constant. Thus additional effort is required, which shouldn't be surprising. I have anti-bump steer blocks on my steering arms and I would judge my overall ratio to be about the same as stock. The pivot point is somewhere in between the fast and slow settings so in between might be an option you want. Or not. VBP is gone and you have to drill out the steering arms. But I am overall happy with my setup.

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Last edited by ignatz; Aug 18, 2020 at 06:21 PM.

Aug 18, 2020 | 03:30 PM

Kevin68

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I can't compare stock PS to Borgeson, but I can tell you is it definitely easier than non-PS. I have a 14" steering wheel and I agree it has a somewhat heavier feel than many PS systems, which I like. It feels more connected IMO. It's closer to the feel of a modern BMW or MB which tend to have a heavier feel than a Ford, Chevy, or Toyota.

Aug 18, 2020 | 07:39 PM

Bikespace

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From: Virginia

The Borgeson install on my 79 made the overall steering effort lighter, but I did not dial-in more caster, which I should. I also didn't restrict the power steering pump flow, as some do. I did have to replace the steering pump, as the original one started leaking immediately after the conversion (before, the leaks had been from everywhere else).

I also converted my 80 to manual steering. At speed, the required effort in the 80 is much greater (I also added a lot of caster with SPC upper A-Arms). The Borgeson-equipped 79 can be driven with one finger at all speeds.

I'd get an alignment done, or follow @cagotzmann's instructions and DIY, then see how it feels.

Aug 19, 2020 | 01:18 PM

7t2vette

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Quote:

Originally Posted by platinummaker

Guys,
as I understand, the Borgeson needs less psi than the stock set up to provide the same feel and that many will actually reduce power steering pump psi to not over boost the new box. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I have an interest in this subject myself as I have a Borgeson kit to soon put on my car. It seems to me that there is a bit of debate about whether less pressure or flow is required to make it feel less twitchy. From my limited research, it seems that less flow is what’s required.

Here is an interesting read:

https://www.turnone-steering.com/blo...him-kit-theory

Several vendors sell flow restricted fittings for these pumps.