Steeroids vs. Jeep steering box
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: West Chester PA
Steeroids vs. Jeep steering box
I finally got my 71 coupe and almost everything has been updated or redone on the car except the steering. It has power steering now and I was thinking of going to either the steeroids or the jeep box. Does anyone have a strong opinion one way or the other for better handling? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
You know to be honest I was looking heavily into the Jeep box swap when my car was in the garage and all torn apart from a brake job that turned into all suspension, some engine, and a complete interior. I guess I had forgotten how my steering felt and started looking into the Jeep box. I even bought one thinking I would go that route.
Then I finished the car, and drove it, and remembered just how tight and perfect the steering is. It's crisp, easy, and I didn't have to change anything.
From what I heard, the Jeep box is a better swap that Steeroids, but it requires a lot of fab where the kit just bolts in.
Both would require money, but I realized that if I were to have to do it again I would have Gary rebuild my stock box, blueprint it, and be done with it. The cost would still be less than Steeroids, and would bolt in as a stock part.
Consider that as a first option, and then consider the other two if it doesn't feel favorable to you.
Then I finished the car, and drove it, and remembered just how tight and perfect the steering is. It's crisp, easy, and I didn't have to change anything.
From what I heard, the Jeep box is a better swap that Steeroids, but it requires a lot of fab where the kit just bolts in.
Both would require money, but I realized that if I were to have to do it again I would have Gary rebuild my stock box, blueprint it, and be done with it. The cost would still be less than Steeroids, and would bolt in as a stock part.
Consider that as a first option, and then consider the other two if it doesn't feel favorable to you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Then I finished the car, and drove it, and remembered just how tight and perfect the steering is. It's crisp, easy, and I didn't have to change anything.
Both would require money, but I realized that if I were to have to do it again I would have Gary rebuild my stock box, blueprint it, and be done with it. The cost would still be less than Steeroids, and would bolt in as a stock part.
Consider that as a first option, and then consider the other two if it doesn't feel favorable to you.
Both would require money, but I realized that if I were to have to do it again I would have Gary rebuild my stock box, blueprint it, and be done with it. The cost would still be less than Steeroids, and would bolt in as a stock part.
Consider that as a first option, and then consider the other two if it doesn't feel favorable to you.
YES,
The stock steering is fine as long as you have a tight steering box.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
stick in a Grand Am rack and turns are a bit less than 3 and ratio is much closer to 12-1.....
with later shark wheel, beat THAT.....
sorry guys I part company with you all on that, the rack is a HUGE improvement over stock.....
I really can't comment on the Jeep box, as I never driven one, and then to boot would have to install on MY car with NO other changes to get a A-B comparison.....ain't a happening....
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
2 yrs with my Jeep box. Had it installed , but, no mods were required and stock steering arm used. I like it, only negative is it is a bit sensitive and one tends to overcorrect until driving for a while.
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: West Chester PA
The car has almost everything mechanical replaced or rebuilt with great suspension and a keisler 5 spd added. The steering is just a little too sloppy or loose for how the car handles otherwise. So Im looking to tighten it up.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I suggest you remove it, send it to Gary, GTR1999, and have him blue print it / rebuild it. He'll send it back in a week or so, you can install it, and have super tight steering again. Replace the rag joint too with a nice high quality GM replacement part.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 12
From: Midwest
However if you are not strong enough for manual steering, then you may find a better setup than the stock one.
Last edited by 68L71; Jul 17, 2008 at 07:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
what do you mean by 'a bit sensitive'?? you have to correct the car direction like a olde tyme car from say the 60's??? or you mean it follows ruts in the higher speed roads....ground in there by heavy trucks???
Over correct.. you mean you constantly fighting the wheel and keeping it on track??? side to side, and back/forth as in days of olde.???
and then I curious to know about your tires and wheels....size/type and condition of front/rear suspension....
please let me know....very curious about this techy topic....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
OK, now a HARD question to a person who seems on top of my questions on this score....
what do you mean by 'a bit sensitive'?? you have to correct the car direction like a olde tyme car from say the 60's??? or you mean it follows ruts in the higher speed roads....ground in there by heavy trucks???
Over correct.. you mean you constantly fighting the wheel and keeping it on track??? side to side, and back/forth as in days of olde.???
and then I curious to know about your tires and wheels....size/type and condition of front/rear suspension....
please let me know....very curious about this techy topic....
what do you mean by 'a bit sensitive'?? you have to correct the car direction like a olde tyme car from say the 60's??? or you mean it follows ruts in the higher speed roads....ground in there by heavy trucks???
Over correct.. you mean you constantly fighting the wheel and keeping it on track??? side to side, and back/forth as in days of olde.???
and then I curious to know about your tires and wheels....size/type and condition of front/rear suspension....
please let me know....very curious about this techy topic....
The stock system provides excellent feedback. Not as precise as a rack or jeep but so what? Its all about the feel.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I just trying to get a handle on it for MY street driver, and get it straight in MY mind as to the improvement for any OTHER car recommendations....
it works for ME, but well???
road feel is good I think....but I kept the '72 pump valving from decades ago, into my '88 vette serp drive pump....
I just did it for long ago forgotten reasons....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
no one's mentioned the fact that the original power steering setup is just not a great design. steering box turns wheels which tells control valve to send fluid to assist ram to give power steering. many connections for leak points and a lot of parts to add to the "sloppy steering"
there was some concern about the rack and pinion desing because of the brackets weren't strong enough and bend. not sure if it has been corrected.
you can modify a jeep box and you need a manual steering relay rod from a corvette and a pitman arm from an a-body,or you can buy a kit that bolts in(already modified)
there was some concern about the rack and pinion desing because of the brackets weren't strong enough and bend. not sure if it has been corrected.
you can modify a jeep box and you need a manual steering relay rod from a corvette and a pitman arm from an a-body,or you can buy a kit that bolts in(already modified)
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Long as you don't mind that transit bus feel to the wheel....~4 turns lock to lock, Jim posted about 17.x? and with a early shark wheel, the feel is complete.....
stick in a Grand Am rack and turns are a bit less than 3 and ratio is much closer to 12-1.....
with later shark wheel, beat THAT.....
sorry guys I part company with you all on that, the rack is a HUGE improvement over stock.....
I really can't comment on the Jeep box, as I never driven one, and then to boot would have to install on MY car with NO other changes to get a A-B comparison.....ain't a happening....
stick in a Grand Am rack and turns are a bit less than 3 and ratio is much closer to 12-1.....
with later shark wheel, beat THAT.....
sorry guys I part company with you all on that, the rack is a HUGE improvement over stock.....
I really can't comment on the Jeep box, as I never driven one, and then to boot would have to install on MY car with NO other changes to get a A-B comparison.....ain't a happening....
I am with Gene on this one
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
you think? you know how the steering pushes back harder as you turn tighter and tighter until the front wheels begin to break traction and the wheel stops pushing back so you can back off a bit before you spin. That's the kind of thing that's so very critical when driving a car on the edge. Overassisted steering won't let you know where the limits are.
I've just seen too many who have done these swaps say how easy the wheel turns and some complain of "video game' type steering. Parallel parking the car with one finger!
Maybe for a show n' shine cruiser but not for me.
Yes our steering system is a handfull in rutted roads because it indeed has so much feedback. But, if you make the C3 perfectly mild mannored and easy to drive, where's the fun in that.
Last edited by turtlevette; Jul 17, 2008 at 10:49 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I put the Steeroids on the 1980 that I had -- best improvement in driving comfort I ever made for that car.
Before it would wander and track all over the place (running 17x8.5 front and 17x9.5 rear).
I switched to Steeroids before going on a trip from Chandler Arizona to Bowling Green and back. I was able to run 75-80 MPH with 2 fingers of my left hand on the wheel and it was as smooooooooth as could be. Response was instant and the feel was like a modern car.
Before it would wander and track all over the place (running 17x8.5 front and 17x9.5 rear).
I switched to Steeroids before going on a trip from Chandler Arizona to Bowling Green and back. I was able to run 75-80 MPH with 2 fingers of my left hand on the wheel and it was as smooooooooth as could be. Response was instant and the feel was like a modern car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I put the Steeroids on the 1980 that I had -- best improvement in driving comfort I ever made for that car.
Before it would wander and track all over the place (running 17x8.5 front and 17x9.5 rear).
I switched to Steeroids before going on a trip from Chandler Arizona to Bowling Green and back. I was able to run 75-80 MPH with 2 fingers of my left hand on the wheel and it was as smooooooooth as could be. Response was instant and the feel was like a modern car.
Before it would wander and track all over the place (running 17x8.5 front and 17x9.5 rear).
I switched to Steeroids before going on a trip from Chandler Arizona to Bowling Green and back. I was able to run 75-80 MPH with 2 fingers of my left hand on the wheel and it was as smooooooooth as could be. Response was instant and the feel was like a modern car.
There you go, that last sentence right there, above.....
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 12
From: Midwest
With the car aligned properly and a blue printed box (by Gary) the car does not wonder and the response is instant. This is with out power steering. I have not driven a power steering corvette from this era but I have driven other cars from this era with power steering and the problem is always the same…over assistance. You only need power steering for <10mph anyway and you certainly do not want assistance to increase with engine rpm. Plus no power steering keeps your wife and or daughter from driving the car.