I am to the point that I need to do something about the sloppy steering on my '80. I am thinking about going with the Steeroids Rack system and was wondering what your suggestions would be. I'm looking at the pros/cons of putting this on before dropping the thousand dollars or so for the change. All responses are greatly appreciated.

 

It is an awesome upgrade. Make sure your lower steering column bearing is in good shape. If it's not, the you will have play in the steering wheel and you will likely blame the rack and pinion. Worth the money.

 

Highly recomend this. I have installed 4 of these now and everyone of them was very pleased with the outcome.

 

Gordon,

How did you go about setting the bump steer? Did you put dial indicators on the front wheels?

 

Steeroids is it. Glad I got mine.

 

Thanks for the positive responses. How about the install? Is it straight forward or are there any obstacles that I should know about. In a previous reply there was a question about the bump steer. What is that?

 

yes... and upper steering column bearing as well, although not as important.... but still....

Very straight forward... very easy install.... very simple and elegant.

BUT.... as stated, all bearings have to be tight! and the u-joint assembly has to be finessed to be in the right place, if not it will feel like it has binding in the steering at spots......also make sure all fittings are as tight as heck.... if anything is loose you will blame the rack.... but if you get it aligned right, and tight everything it is a GREAT upgrade over stock...

 

When these first came out there were reports about weak brackets. Have they been redesigned?

Also I remember some saying the power rack was over boosted. Anything that can be done to reduce the assist except going manual steering?

 

I once read where there is a reduction of the turning radius so be sure to check that out and decide if you can live with it. The stock turning radius with a box is already poor enough. My understanding is that you can get a box rebuilt by a pro and it can be comparable to rack and pinion.

 

1. yes, you are correct... but i can still make a U turn on a 4 lane road and park with out problem
2. wow... i always thought it was ok... not a Jeep... but not bad..jmho
3. never never no way... much more responsive and tighter and a better feel.... new vetts all run R&P... never felt a stock C3 come even close to that feel... and you get weight reduction along with it! win win...

 

The turning radius on my '74 Trans Am was noticeably better than the '73 Corvette and my right front wheel rim really appreciated it - especially when traffic was bearing down fast. A stock steering box isn't likely to be as tight as a blue printed box assembled by a specialist. I've read feature articles on the subject. Hey, I'm glad lots of people like Steeroids. We're just thoroughly analyzing the situation.

 

BLACK,

Before you spend the money, you should look at the integral power steering box made by Borgeson. The conversion is around half of the R&P cost, but you have the same turning radius as factory. That's because ALL of the steering components, even the Pitman arm, are GM factory for your model year.

The only modification is to "collapse" your collapsible steering column a few inches, replace the control valve with a Drag Link Adapter, and fit the new rag joint. The standard ram, control valve and four hoses that all hang down under the engine are removed from the car. Just two new hoses from the stock pump to the new box and you're done.

And all for under a grand! Look up www.borgeson.com and search for your year Corvette. I've fitted one to my '74 and I wouldn't use any other steering system.

Regards from Down Under

aussiejohn

 

There are a couple of options here depending on what you are trying to achieve.

1. If the goal is the tightest steering with the least amount of play and the best feedback, I would assume that the rack and pinion options would be the way to go. I have never driven a C3 with the rack and pinion option but I do know that not all RP's are the same-My 2010 Z06 is unbelieveable, 1994 Mustang GT-OK, 2001 Grand Prix -OK, 2008 Chrysler 300-terrific. HOWEVER, Rack and Pinion did not come on C3's so you need to remove all the OEM steering. If you don't care about originality, then go for it.

2. The Borgenson box has a quicker steering ratio but that alone does nothing for steering feel and tightness-Elimination of the control Valve and steering cylinder may add to a more direct feel BUT if both of these components are in good order the difference will be small. Borgenson boxes are basically a mass produced steering box with the elimination of some of the C3 steering components. Again, I have not sampled a C3 Borgenson equipped car to make a real life comparison but just based on the "spec" comparison.

3. Blue Printed Steering Box Rebuild-Best option for those that do not want to "bastardize" the OEM C3 steering mechanism but are interested in making the OEM steering design the best it can be! As noted above, I have not driven a C3 with RP steering but I do have a BLUE PRINTED OEM REBUILT steering box-If you have not driven a C3 with this option, I would STRONGLY suggest you do or better yet just get your OEM box rebuilt and blue printed BEFORE you go to the other 2 options above (about $300 if your gears are in good shape). As I have stated numerous times before, the stock steering boxes were NOT EVER blue printed from the factory when the cars were new-just slapped together-lots of play. A blue printed box has custom components installed (custom olite shaft bushing) and is hand adjusted for steering feel-neither of which was done from the factory. GTR1999 did mine in October 2010 and it is REALLY GOOD! Not a Z06 but VERY tight with zero play and excellent steering feel.

Adding a rack and pinion steering to a C3 is NOT going to make a C3 steer like a C5/C6-Not possible since the steering feel and responsiveness is much more than just the steering box-It is the steering box, the rest of the steering components, suspension design, suspension geometry, weight distribution etc that determine whether the car steers like a C6 Z06 or a 1994 mustang GT-both have RP steering but are completely different!

Hope that helps!

 

I've got a rack on my '78 Vette.
WORLD of difference. I like the steering better than my wifes 2009 SUV!

Took a bit of back and forth with the allignment shop to get it feeling right. Back end felt "twitchy" at times and for the first while I had to "steer" the car back to center but its much better now (break-in period?). Search the forum for allignment specs that others have used. Steeroids was great about helping out with specs as well.

BTW if you have headers on your car you may need to "clearance" them (BFH) to get them to fit.

100% bolt on, no mods req'd. Everything came in 2 big boxes, well packed, labled well, decent instructions. you'll need a lift to make the install easier. Can be done on the floor, but ALOT easier on a hoist.

Easy to return to original steering in the future if needed. Might be other R&P setups out there, no idea, but for ease of install, service and quality of product (and a free t shirt!!) I'd go with a Steeroids set-up again anytime.

Steeroids is forum Vendor, Watch for sales every once in a while.
Buying direct also might save you a few dollars as well compared to a "parts catalog supplier".

dodosmike

 

Bought mine and love it! Installed it, then the next day went to an auto cross event. World of difference! Using it for legal road racing and its best upgrade I did to the car at the time.

Only downside of the product is header fitment. Have to do some research on headers to have it not hit any of the steering seup or dimple the header. They have information about it on their website. However, I noticed the ones that fit are 1k for a LS1 setup. I had some cheap flotechs that I had to dimple to make fit on the stock 350 but worked great. I would also recommend that while you are in there check/replace the lower steering bearing. I never noticed mine was bad until I installed the steeroids. After that... I noticed it big time.