Steering rack option for LS7 conversion
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 1,246
From: Harbor City California
Steering rack option for LS7 conversion
We are doing a full restoration and LS7 conversion on a 1981 C3.
Need some feedback on rack and pinion steering options.
Any one have any feedback on the rack and pinion conversion kits that are on the market today? Is the steroids setup any good? Who else makes a kit?
Used the search but didn't find much other than the steroid option and no real feedback.
Anyone used an upgraded rack and pinion conversion kit in an LS conversion/swap?
Some Pics:
Frame ready for Por15 treatment:
In the holding spot:
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
Need some feedback on rack and pinion steering options.
Any one have any feedback on the rack and pinion conversion kits that are on the market today? Is the steroids setup any good? Who else makes a kit?
Used the search but didn't find much other than the steroid option and no real feedback.
Anyone used an upgraded rack and pinion conversion kit in an LS conversion/swap?
Some Pics:
Frame ready for Por15 treatment:
In the holding spot:
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
Last edited by American Heritage; Feb 17, 2017 at 12:35 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 37
From: The Woodlands Texas
I've got the Flaming River rack on my LS3 conversion (GM LS3 480 HP). I went this route because I liked the frame crossmember support that was part of the design. I've got it tied to a hydro-boost system and they work great.
The tricking part was oil pan clearance. I had maybe 1/16" so I lowered the rack by about 1/4". This was accomplished by shaving 1/4" off the aluminum mounting blocks that bolt to the frame crossmember.
Good luck.
The tricking part was oil pan clearance. I had maybe 1/16" so I lowered the rack by about 1/4". This was accomplished by shaving 1/4" off the aluminum mounting blocks that bolt to the frame crossmember.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
You might want to look into the Borgeson setup. I had the Steeroids in mine and clearance as said is very tight with the stock LS3 Vette pan but it did clear. I just think the Borgeson is a cleaner and less hanging down than the Steeroids. Both do work much better than the stock system though.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,871
Likes: 3,315
From: NYC NY
You might want to look into the Borgeson setup. I had the Steeroids in mine and clearance as said is very tight with the stock LS3 Vette pan but it did clear. I just think the Borgeson is a cleaner and less hanging down than the Steeroids. Both do work much better than the stock system though.
For what it's worth that's what Danny Popp is using in his LSx powered C3.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
There are three company's that I know of making kits, Flaming River, Vette Brakes and Products and Steroids.
I have not installed any of these kits, I did a DIY install of my own build on my car.
Neal
I have not installed any of these kits, I did a DIY install of my own build on my car.
Neal
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 1,246
From: Harbor City California
We want to go with Rack and pinion thats for sure...
So it looks like we have to choose between the Steroid Rack or the Flaming River Rack. Are the only differences between the two the mounting brackets?
Is one "beefier" than the others?
So it looks like we have to choose between the Steroid Rack or the Flaming River Rack. Are the only differences between the two the mounting brackets?
Is one "beefier" than the others?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 639
From: Thunder Bay
I have the Steeroids setup on my '79 and I like it. Getting the u-joints on the steering shaft is a bit of a challenge, but once you get it, it works well. Huge improvement over the stock setup. I did have a problem with one of the u-joints coming apart after a couple of years and had to replace it. No problem getting the part from Speed Direct.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 37
From: The Woodlands Texas
The FR has a beefier frame structure for sure. I have no opinion on the beef of the rack itself. I'd make the same decision and pick the FR rack if I had the choice.
Here's my build thread
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...od-thread.html
Check out post 23, 44, 110. Post 117 shows a Steroids rack with a C3.
Here's my build thread
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...od-thread.html
Check out post 23, 44, 110. Post 117 shows a Steroids rack with a C3.
Last edited by CWerner; Feb 20, 2017 at 07:25 PM.