*Borgeson VS Steeroids*
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
*Borgeson VS Steeroids*
I have been looking into the Steeroids rack and pinion setup lately and was wondering if the Borgeson conversion is better?!?!
Let me know your experiences to help me decide on which system is better for me.
Thanks, Les
Let me know your experiences to help me decide on which system is better for me.
Thanks, Les
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
I was trying to decide which way to go until I found out that Danny Popp's winning Corvette uses the Borgeson unit. That fact, and the fact that I was able to buy it for $570 shipped, made my decision to buy the Borgeson easy.
I have yet to install it, so I can't give any first-hand opinions about it yet......hope I made the right decision!!!
I have yet to install it, so I can't give any first-hand opinions about it yet......hope I made the right decision!!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have the Steeroids and have been very impressed with it but I have also I have no experience with the Borgeson unit. I am very curious about the unit myself.
Last edited by Gordonm; Jan 8, 2014 at 06:36 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Warwick New York
I have the steeroid for 4 years now maybe 5. I like it because it works well now that i have found out that camber ajustment has to be change drastically. It works perfectly maybe too good. The most important part is that it does not leak. If I had a choice back then the Borgeson looks good anything is better the power assist.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 673
I have been doing a lot of research on this, there have been a lot of guys on here who have done very well at the track with the steeriods kit, most of the guys have had to modify the brackets that hold it in place, and if you thank the grand am rack is cheap unit you can buy a much better rack from after market companys, I have the borgeson set up have not installed it , if I can find a used steroids kit I would buy it and modify the brackets and get a better quality rack itself, with flaming river 90 degree needle bearing u joints.flamming river has a nice set up but looks like the angle of the tie rods would give bad bumb steere.just do your home wrk, I do know the borgeson does work very well, just google danny popp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
I recently installed the Borgeson box and it bolted right in my 80. With it using the stock tie rod setup there was no bump steer worries. For me it was the right thing to do with no worries of assorted brackets that don't fit or hanging too low or getting in the way of removing the oil pan plus not having to re tube my side pipe headers. It was a breeze to install.
The only thing I find is at stopped turning I get a slight pump noise from my stock pump, but moving no problem or noise. I figure it is caused by low idle (550) rpm.
BTW it drives straight and you never feel the car wondering at highway speeds like it did with the stock system.
The only thing I find is at stopped turning I get a slight pump noise from my stock pump, but moving no problem or noise. I figure it is caused by low idle (550) rpm.
BTW it drives straight and you never feel the car wondering at highway speeds like it did with the stock system.
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Mill Hall PA
I had the Steeroids in my '81 for a few years. It was difficult to get the u-joints adjusted properly to avoid binding the linkage. Once that issue was resolved it worked fine and felt good.
I changed to the Borgeson setup after putting a larger oil pan on. I autocross and needed a pan to take care of oil issues related to that driving. The installation was made easier by the fact that I had the engine out at the time.
The Borgeson feels good and since I have driven with the original steering, Steeroids, and now Borgeson I feel that the Borgeson and the Steeroids feel similar.
If you want the State of the Art go with Steeroids or similar kits. If you want simplicity go with Borgeson. In both cases it was necessary to have custom hoses made because I run an '89 serpentine setup with corresponding PS pump with remote reservoir.
The Steeroids is for sale if anyone wants it.
I changed to the Borgeson setup after putting a larger oil pan on. I autocross and needed a pan to take care of oil issues related to that driving. The installation was made easier by the fact that I had the engine out at the time.
The Borgeson feels good and since I have driven with the original steering, Steeroids, and now Borgeson I feel that the Borgeson and the Steeroids feel similar.
If you want the State of the Art go with Steeroids or similar kits. If you want simplicity go with Borgeson. In both cases it was necessary to have custom hoses made because I run an '89 serpentine setup with corresponding PS pump with remote reservoir.
The Steeroids is for sale if anyone wants it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 558
Likes: 22
From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
I've been running the Borgeson for two years now. It made a vast improvement over my stock system. My stock system, no matter how much I repaired it, used to leak constantly. No more leaks!! I can't say it is as good as my daily driver R&P but it is close. I also like the fact that it looks stock in the car. Unless you're familiar with these systems no one realizes it's there. It certainly made the car a lot more fun to drive. Good bang for the buck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 33
From: Lokeren, Belgium
I first used Steeroids, it feels like a modern car but I wouldn't pass technical inspection next year as the heim joints are forbidden. I debated long on going back to stock or Borgeson. The quicker ratio persuaded me to go Borgeson and actually it feels exactly the same as the Steeroids imho. So save the price difference to invest elsewhere in the car if you don't mind collapsing the steering column. Borgeson has more ground clearance and overall I think the quality of the components is much better.
Nick
Ps : another steeroids for sale in Europe
Nick
Ps : another steeroids for sale in Europe
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
I see that Advance Auto sells a lot of replacement Racks, but not to many boxes. I love my Borgeson set-up, no more wandering at highway speeds. I know new cars all seem to come with the racks, But the Borg unit is the neat set-up & only 6 hours to install, not bad for a lay- man. Have a great one. Gene
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 558
Likes: 22
From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Rag joint
Steering box
Pitman arm
Control valve
Hoses (2) from pump to control valve
I believe that's it. The kit contains all new of these parts for a complete system. Only really difficult part is collapsing the steering shaft to fit the new box and rag joint. I had to ding one header tube, slightly, for more clearance. Was not a big deal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Parts that get removed:
Rag joint
Steering box
Pitman arm
Control valve
Hoses (2) from pump to control valve
I believe that's it. The kit contains all new of these parts for a complete system. Only really difficult part is collapsing the steering shaft to fit the new box and rag joint. I had to ding one header tube, slightly, for more clearance. Was not a big deal.
Rag joint
Steering box
Pitman arm
Control valve
Hoses (2) from pump to control valve
I believe that's it. The kit contains all new of these parts for a complete system. Only really difficult part is collapsing the steering shaft to fit the new box and rag joint. I had to ding one header tube, slightly, for more clearance. Was not a big deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Okay, I’ve asked this before but can’t seem to get an answer. What’s the measurement from the frame rail to the outside of the Borgeson box, and how much (if any) taller is the Borgeson than the stock box? How much bigger than stock is the thing? I’m trying to figure out if this will fit with a big block.
wondering the same thing, I hate the idea of dimpling my headers, and my frame is already PC'd
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Well, I see a few here who have converted from Steeriods to Borgeson but not any going the other way......
Danny Popp and Brian Hobaugh both used Borgeson boxes on what are 2 of the fastest street tire Autocross Corvettes. I don't know of any really fast guys running R&P set ups, Fairgrounds cruisers yes but not bolt on some massive tires and beat the crap out of the steering systems guys. I look at all the Heim ends, intermediate shafts, thin sheet steel brackets and just cringe when looking at the rack conversions marketed for our Vettes but what's a guy like me know?
Danny Popp and Brian Hobaugh both used Borgeson boxes on what are 2 of the fastest street tire Autocross Corvettes. I don't know of any really fast guys running R&P set ups, Fairgrounds cruisers yes but not bolt on some massive tires and beat the crap out of the steering systems guys. I look at all the Heim ends, intermediate shafts, thin sheet steel brackets and just cringe when looking at the rack conversions marketed for our Vettes but what's a guy like me know?