Adding Power Steering to a C3 Recommendations?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 715
Likes: 21
From: Ontario California
Adding Power Steering to a C3 Recommendations?
I have a 69 coupe, that doesn't have power steering, and I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for after market power steering systems? I have read the ads for companies like Borgeson but
you can never tell just from the ads...which systems are the best. So I was wondering if anyone out there has installed any of the systems and what the pros and cons were thanks
Jeff
you can never tell just from the ads...which systems are the best. So I was wondering if anyone out there has installed any of the systems and what the pros and cons were thanks
Jeff
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
used is sometimes good
I went off Ebay and got everything for my '74 for $250. Bolted it up in 3hours. Sold most the old manual gear and the car rides great. If you are only going ride around and don't have a museum piece its worth using used gear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 1,359
I added PS to my 68....
It made it a lot more pleasurable to drive. I did it about 15 or 20 years ago. Bought a kit and installed it.
If I were to do it today I would buy one of those rack-and-pinion kits instead.
Either way it is a lot more pleasant to drive with power steering.
If I were to do it today I would buy one of those rack-and-pinion kits instead.
Either way it is a lot more pleasant to drive with power steering.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If you're not after authenticity, and simply must have power assist, I'd highly recommend looking into the Borgeson setup.
As for one reason why aftermarket: yes, it's admittedly a rare thing, but after my stock PS system suddenly locked up full left, almost putting me into a pole across opposing traffic, I converted to manual steering and gained better road feedback in the bargain.
As for one reason why aftermarket: yes, it's admittedly a rare thing, but after my stock PS system suddenly locked up full left, almost putting me into a pole across opposing traffic, I converted to manual steering and gained better road feedback in the bargain.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,681
Likes: 200
From: Waterford Mi
The Borgeson box is simple and clean to install. I replaced my original system with one and am very happy with it. No more leaking valve or cylinders to deal with.
Install page
For a car that did not have power steering it is the way to go.
Install page
For a car that did not have power steering it is the way to go.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
The Borgeson OR the rack have a ~12-1 steering ratio, the old stock junk is ~16-1 that translates into much better handling, IF
and only IF you have decent modern rubber on the car....them old 78 series tires on a 15" rim just don't get it any more.....
you need ~17"+ rims and ~50 series tires and you need wider also...say like a C4 vette.....then you can really feel the improvements....
almost any car guy knows that the first most biggest improvement to any car handling is bigger/lower profile TIRES.....then we go from there....
and only IF you have decent modern rubber on the car....them old 78 series tires on a 15" rim just don't get it any more.....
you need ~17"+ rims and ~50 series tires and you need wider also...say like a C4 vette.....then you can really feel the improvements....
almost any car guy knows that the first most biggest improvement to any car handling is bigger/lower profile TIRES.....then we go from there....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
# 5 for the Borgeson kit.
Vintagevetter,
I fitted a Borgeson box to my '74 coupe and the difference between it and my '74 'vert with factory PS is quite noticeable. As TheSkunkWorks, redwingvette, Jasonb86 and Kevin68 have said, this is the way to go. As well, mrvette makes a valid point about the tyres and wheels.
If you want to really enjoy driving your car, then a modern Delphi 600 Series steering box is the way to go. Call Barbara, Jeff or Gil at Borgeson on 1-860-482-8283 or www.borgeson.com for all the assistance you need.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
I fitted a Borgeson box to my '74 coupe and the difference between it and my '74 'vert with factory PS is quite noticeable. As TheSkunkWorks, redwingvette, Jasonb86 and Kevin68 have said, this is the way to go. As well, mrvette makes a valid point about the tyres and wheels.
If you want to really enjoy driving your car, then a modern Delphi 600 Series steering box is the way to go. Call Barbara, Jeff or Gil at Borgeson on 1-860-482-8283 or www.borgeson.com for all the assistance you need.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
#6 for Borgeson Unit
I put the Borgeson unit on last year and have 5K with no leaks. I like the way the car drives with the 12:1 ratio. I also rebuilt the front end with new ball joints, tie rods, bushings etc., which must help.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Borgeson steering is one of the best mods I've made to my 68
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...g-install.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...g-install.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
something I did with mine and then did with two of the other three was to reuse the original steering box bolts cause they were good, and replaced the included in the kit bolts with oe style bolts on the forth. They are carriage bolts and the frame is already cut to accept them, also used oe style friction nuts, sometimes called interference fit, cause you have to wrench them all the way to get them off and on , and I also used locktite on those. As I've said before , piece of mind, you dont have to worry bout them loosening. I'm sure the included in the kit bolts would have worked fine, but I'm kind of **** , hope this helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,031
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I added the stock power steering to my 68 in 1973, before there were "kits". mine was used and guess what, it is still working with the original pump and I had to change the cylinder only once,due to a drunk driver snapping the hardened 3/8" shaft. Anything is better than the manual steering.