Just installed this product into my 70 but can't road test until I swing the BB back in this week. Anyone have this conversion and were you happy with it?

 

Interesting question. So you are asking people's opinions of a product that you have already purchased and installed? What would you do if everyone said they hated it? There have been about 50 people on the forum install this product and most have been happy. Do a search for steeroids and see what you can come up with.

 

I hate that everybody has steeroids but me...

 

Why get snappy right off the bat? I just asked a question. I didn't know you were a moderator. I wasn't looking for information about deciding on a purchase. I already did the research and was satisfied enough to buy it. I just thought I'd ask as sometimes people will post input on their experience with the product after having used it for a while and any pitfalls that could be avoided early on. You are correct that I could have done a search and if that is what irks you I apologize for taking up any unnecessary bandwidth. It's too early in the day to be so critical anyway. Go out and have a couple of pops.

 

HAHAHAHA!

I like mine. I'm not getting the full effect tho as my column is rough. Even so, it's light-years better than the old stuff I ripped outta there.

Brett

 

I have a 71 with a big block and I like it way better than the original power steering...no regrets.

 

But how good is Steeroids? What would you compare the steering feel to? A modern day (non-Corvette) GM? That would be a huge improvement over the original system. BMW-like steering would be ideal, but I'd take my C3 steering like a modern GTO.

 

I"m an old phardt who did his own rack conversion before that Steeroids system was released to public, and did it for way less than 200 bux....in my '72...still there and doing fine, took a while to get help here on this forum about fine tuning the install, but I can say with a fair amount of experience that the install is highly WORTH IT!!!

my rack is set for 2.7 turns lock/lock that makes it even with my wide tires and limited radius still tighter than a C4....

and too boot, none of that constant rut following and corrections on any road at any speed....
the thing just goes where I point....and in a HURRY TOO....

case closed

GENE (one caution, not that it's a bear or anything, but you can't afford to be sleepy behind the wheel....it's THAT fast)

 

Mine just arrived today. I have the stock type PS in there now. I am looking forward to the installation. Hopefully all will go well with it. I hope to get after it this weekend. Look for some pics soon.

 

yup i installed and its great....what does it feel like ...well i drive an Infintit i30, honda odyssey, ford explorer and i no longer think about the steering in the vette....so there you go it modernizes it.

 

The new GTO has much better feel than Steeroids. Pretty much everything does, including the stock C3 system in good condition.

 

I'd say it feels more like a go-cart. It's very tight with no slop, and a quick ratio, but it just doesn't feel like a modern day sports car.

It does elimenate bump steer

While there are many of us who have the kit installed, none of us(that I am aware of) replaced a stock system that was in perfect condition.

So we are compareing it to an old worn out system.

Overall I'm quite happy, BUT the the build quality concerns me. BE SURE TO CHECK THE KIT FREQUENTLY!! The set screws can get loose and I had a bracket crack. That was a PITA the swap out!!

The guys at Guldstrand also suggested replacing the heim joints with some stronger ones.

~Jay

 

sell the lawn mower and use the money on a down payment for steeroids purchase.

 

You can't force a man to sell his Honda...

 

i want to put a steeroids on my 68 once i save up some more money and get it back together at the moment it doesnt even have stock power steering how is the cheapest to buy the kits of

 

I installed one on a 71 convertible. A couple of issues that bugged me.

1. I had to really grind the frame in the corner next to where the steering coupler hooks to the rack. I had to take about 1/4" of material off the frame in that pocket area to get clearnace.

2. The Universal joint (flamming river) system that ties the steering column to the rack is a real pain to get right. You have to really spend some time adjusting that and working it out so that there is not too much angle or else there will be a tight spot (binding) in the steering from side to side.

3. It is very twitchy quick. In other words, compared to the stock system with the built in slop (on power steering models), there is none, so one little breath on the wheel and the car is turning. Kind of scary until you get the hang of it compared to before.

I have also put a Steeroid on my 69 Camaro that uses a Grand Prix style rack instead of the Grand Am rack. I like it far better in terms of the way it bolted in and how it feels than I did the Vette.

The way I look at it, if you have a NON-power steering car and you want to add power, or if your power steering it totally dead...for a few hundred more dollars than replacing all new stock stuff the Steeroids is a good investment.

If you have a functional steering system right now there is no benefit that I can think of to simply switch. It is a lot like my electric headlight conversion, in that if you have a fully functional vacuum system, leave it alone and be happy it works. No sense changing something if it aint broke!

 

Chris, unlike some others, I got to looking at the rack due to some influence from a guy in Europe, Idar Anderson, at any rate my old steering was in brand new shape, had about maybe 10k miles on it....everything was new...ALL of it, and the box fresh rebuilt, bearing and all....but still I had to tend the wheel a LOT on freeways down here, you know how that is well as I do....but when I changed to steeroid type rack/pinion setup, bump stear or not, that transformed the car into a tight handling machine.....
course one thing to remember is I had 17x9.5 '92 vette rims all the way around 255 in front, and 275 in rear....so THAT change alone was too much for the old time tech with 78 series barely belted tires of that era.....

if running the stock tire sizes, maybe it's not so much of a big deal, but you put modern rubber on the car....hell YES, it's a big deal....

GENE

 

It brings a '50s steering system up to '80s standards. Given that the rest of the front suspension is still '50s technology, however, that's about the best it can do.

Given that, I can drive my car down the road at 80 mph while holding the wheel with 2 fingers. Now that's an improvement!

 

artvette: Sorry I insulted you. Didn't mean anything by it. Just thought it was interesting to ask for someone's opinion after the fact. I understand where you are coming from and I apologize.


I can do that with my manual steer setup. I love the feel of the steering that I have when I am moving, but it does take some muscle when stopped.

 

Jeff,
I just read your post and accept your apology and respect you for saying so. Thanks.

Artie