Power Steering
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: Thornton, CO
Power Steering
Looking to add power steering to my 69. It’s manual now. I see ZIp offers an electric version and a more conventional type Borgeson. Anyone here have pros and cons about either one.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,305
Likes: 8,110
From: Napa Valley California
First, I would talk with Gary Ramadei (GTR1999) about rebuilding your oem steering box.
You may find that just having Gary rebuild your oem box, may be all you need.
I looked at several electric assist steering systems and the biggest problem is always where is there room to mount the system.
Some mount up under the dash, but where is there really room, and some mount in the engine compartment.
Several members have gone to manual and power assist rack and pinion systems with great success.
The Borgeson steering box is another great option that I was originally going with.
I purchased the Borgeson box, a Tuff Stuff ps pump and a Billet Specialities remote fluid reservoir.
It would have been a nice set up.
One thing to consider is the size difference between the oem steering box and the Borgeson box.
Additional items to think about are:
You’ll need to purchase a new drag link, pitman arm for the steering box, power steering pump and brackets, maybe an alternator bracket as some year model or big blocks are a combination of the two, engine and pump pulleys and other items.
I ended up pulling my power steering, converted it to manual and had Gary rebuild my steering box.
You may find that just having Gary rebuild your oem box, may be all you need.
I looked at several electric assist steering systems and the biggest problem is always where is there room to mount the system.
Some mount up under the dash, but where is there really room, and some mount in the engine compartment.
Several members have gone to manual and power assist rack and pinion systems with great success.
The Borgeson steering box is another great option that I was originally going with.
I purchased the Borgeson box, a Tuff Stuff ps pump and a Billet Specialities remote fluid reservoir.
It would have been a nice set up.
One thing to consider is the size difference between the oem steering box and the Borgeson box.
Additional items to think about are:
You’ll need to purchase a new drag link, pitman arm for the steering box, power steering pump and brackets, maybe an alternator bracket as some year model or big blocks are a combination of the two, engine and pump pulleys and other items.
I ended up pulling my power steering, converted it to manual and had Gary rebuild my steering box.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,906
Likes: 4,479
From: Virginia
A few folks have electric steering pumps with the Borgeson unit, and it looks like I'm going that way in my 79. Even with a belt driven pump, the Borgeson is great in that car.
@Richard454 has an electric assist unit in his lightly modified car, a quick search should find a thread or two.
My 80 was converted to manual steering with a @GTR1999 rebuilt box. That's also great, for that car.
It's not worth shipping the original power steering bits, but I have them somewhere.
@Richard454 has an electric assist unit in his lightly modified car, a quick search should find a thread or two.
My 80 was converted to manual steering with a @GTR1999 rebuilt box. That's also great, for that car.
It's not worth shipping the original power steering bits, but I have them somewhere.
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Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: Thornton, CO
Or that a car built in 1969 is prone to leak from time to time. I get your comment…but I don’t buy cheap parts…thus the reason to get on a forum to get suggestions from other people who may have already had success…
Drifting
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I did the stock rebuild. Not as good as I thought it would be. And yes, it was all done right with quality rebuild. If I do it again, it will be the Borgeson upgrade. Kicking myself for not doing it.
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A properly done stock system works incredibly well.
And a borgeson conversion is just putting jeep steering in a Corvette.
To me, that's all kind of wrong.
To each his own. But the borgeson system uses a pump and hoses as well. So there is still the possibility of leaks.
And a borgeson conversion is just putting jeep steering in a Corvette.
To me, that's all kind of wrong.
To each his own. But the borgeson system uses a pump and hoses as well. So there is still the possibility of leaks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,906
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From: Virginia
That probably won't "fix" your problem if the problem is that you need power steering. But it will make the steering much more precise, and when rolling down the highway the car may be much more pleasant to drive. I believe the electric assist system also relies on the stock steering box.
The Borgeson replaces the stock steering box. It has half as many hoses to leak and a quicker turning ratio. One issue with the Borgeson is that the box is larger, and may require clearancing for some header/engine combinations.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: Thornton, CO
Thank you, now I understand. I have a 427 bb so there isn’t a ton of room to work with. When I researched the electric system it requires cutting the steering column too. Maybe my first run at this is to have the box rebuilt and see how that works.
Thanks to all for the information, it was very helpful!
Thanks to all for the information, it was very helpful!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Thank you, now I understand. I have a 427 bb so there isn’t a ton of room to work with. When I researched the electric system it requires cutting the steering column too. Maybe my first run at this is to have the box rebuilt and see how that works.
Thanks to all for the information, it was very helpful!
Thanks to all for the information, it was very helpful!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,992
Likes: 9,355
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Gerry in Ct that was mentioned in this thread and a member on here or Bairs Corvette in Pa. Sorry I don’t know anyone out west. I know there is a few places in the mid west but correctly and rebuilt is not in there description