Rack and Pinion
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Rochester New York
Rack and Pinion
Just parked the old girl for a long winters surgery. The next step for my 78 is rack and pinion. Talk to me about your wins and defeats. Zip has a kit, is that any good?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I did mine in my '72....winter 01-02 before any kits came out....
so did my own design work, and had it fabbed up locally.....
junkyard '89 Grand Am rack, happened to be NEW when I pulled it.....
only TWO universal joints...not 3 as per the kits....
running fine since then....
so did my own design work, and had it fabbed up locally.....
junkyard '89 Grand Am rack, happened to be NEW when I pulled it.....
only TWO universal joints...not 3 as per the kits....
running fine since then....
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
I don't know about the zip kit, but the Steroids conversion gives you everything you need in one package - all parts are included, and you can easily do it in a weekend. I did it to my car and love it.
I do have to call out that depending on if you have headers (and what kind is probably a factor) you may need to dimple one of them for the steering knuckle. Again, this is steeroids, not sure about the kit you mentioned.
I do have to call out that depending on if you have headers (and what kind is probably a factor) you may need to dimple one of them for the steering knuckle. Again, this is steeroids, not sure about the kit you mentioned.
Last edited by cooper9811; Nov 13, 2017 at 05:49 PM. Reason: added info
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
I have the Steeroids setup on my '79. I have Hooker Super Comp headers and everything fits fine. The steering is much tighter than stock. Installation is straightforward except for setting up the connection between the steering column and the rack. Getting the brackets and U-joints aligned properly is challenging. I think that took me as much time as the rest of the installation put together. I also had an issue with one of the U-joints in the column connection coming apart and had to replace it a couple of years ago. Otherwise its been very reliable for many years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 598
Since I use my car for track days, I went with the extra stiff frame cradle Flaming river uses. I cannot afford the R&P to bend for track days.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Rochester New York
I have been fighting a WAR with leaks and squeaks between the front tires. The old school the steering is absolute comedy and truly detracts from enjoying my car. Last winter she got a Tremic 5 speed and a hydro throw out. Great mod for a 300K plus daily driver.... but now that the trans is working so well, it really shines a light on the shortcomings up front.
Last edited by ThePabst; Nov 14, 2017 at 07:57 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 109
From: Las Vegas NV
I'm quite pleased with the handling now. Steeroids conversion, spreader bar, street and slalom suspension, and 18" wheels with Y rated tires. Handles and rides nicely. Nothing at all like how it was when I bought it.
All that with the 6 speed mades it a nice steady high speed cruiser for interstate travel, and it's not to shabby on the autocross track. Still gets worked over by miatas but what are you gonna do...
All that with the 6 speed mades it a nice steady high speed cruiser for interstate travel, and it's not to shabby on the autocross track. Still gets worked over by miatas but what are you gonna do...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Rochester New York
I'm quite pleased with the handling now. Steeroids conversion, spreader bar, street and slalom suspension, and 18" wheels with Y rated tires. Handles and rides nicely. Nothing at all like how it was when I bought it.
All that with the 6 speed mades it a nice steady high speed cruiser for interstate travel, and it's not to shabby on the autocross track. Still gets worked over by miatas but what are you gonna do...
All that with the 6 speed mades it a nice steady high speed cruiser for interstate travel, and it's not to shabby on the autocross track. Still gets worked over by miatas but what are you gonna do...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Rochester New York
The later C3 is finally... slowely... getting some respect. When I was a kid, even I, a huge gear head and Vette lover got a little tired of seeing the same old thing year after year. Especially since the frame was the same ol early 60's design. But, the brand survived amid crushing rules, politics and trends fighting against it. A true survivor, even stronger than the Mustang. A least there was never a Corvette II... Christ! What the hell would that have looked like? A fiberglass Vega? Oh god, I need a shower now.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Off topic... I had a Mustang II. I actually liked it..... but it sure wasn't in the same class as a vet or even a "classic" mustang. Really just a sporty Pinto.
I'd buy one again for the right price (cheap) just to hotrod it up. Not sure how far I could push it, but it could be pretty cool.
I'd buy one again for the right price (cheap) just to hotrod it up. Not sure how far I could push it, but it could be pretty cool.
Last edited by cooper9811; Nov 14, 2017 at 03:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Rochester New York
Off topic... I had a Mustang II. I actually liked it..... but it sure wasn't in the same class as a vet or even a "classic" mustang. Really just a sporty Pinto.
I'd buy one again for the right price (cheap) just to hotrod it up. Not sure how far I could push it, but it could be pretty cool.
I'd buy one again for the right price (cheap) just to hotrod it up. Not sure how far I could push it, but it could be pretty cool.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 122
I went with the Flaming River kit on my car for the welded cradle. It did not fit on my 68 big block however. It hit on the oil pan and the headers were not going to work at all. To make the cradle fit, you have to pound it in place with a large dead blow hammer. I returned it and got the Steeroids kit. The mounting system is not a beefy as the Flaming river kit, but it fit on my car. I have Hooker headers and side pipes and did not have to dimple anything.
Nothing against Flaming River as there kit looks a lot beefier than the Steeroids, but it just did not fit on my car.
Nothing against Flaming River as there kit looks a lot beefier than the Steeroids, but it just did not fit on my car.
Last edited by Lobzila; Nov 15, 2017 at 06:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Rochester New York
I went with the Flaming River kit on my car for the welded cradle. It did not fit on my 68 big block however. It hit on the oil pan and the headers were not going to work at all. To make the cradle fit, you have to pound it in place with a large dead blow hammer. I returned it and got the Steeroids kit. The mounting system is not a beefy as the Flaming river kit, but it fit on my car. I have Hooker headers and side pipes and did not have to dimple anything.
Nothing against Flaming River as there kit looks a lot beefier than the Steeroids, but it just did not fit on my car.
Nothing against Flaming River as there kit looks a lot beefier than the Steeroids, but it just did not fit on my car.
If you look at some of the newer cars and trucks, its surprising how small and almost flimsy the rack mounting is.
Last edited by ThePabst; Nov 15, 2017 at 08:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Rochester New York
Just like when I met my wife, I was thinking, "I'll never be able to afford something like that". I was right both times!
My first REAL job was at Thrifty rent a car (Shifty Dent a Car, we called it) at the airport in Rochester. We did Valet parking as well as rentals. I got to drive absolutely everything, Chevette thru Jag. Wow what a great job!! (I swear I still have it if I didn't get fired for doing front wheel donuts one night in some poor slobs El Dorado.) Then one night a guy dropped off a Z, I talked with him, "Its a WHAT!!??? A Datsun??!! Next time he brought in a Mazda RX3. That was an amazing car as well. They rotted like witches teeth, but real cool as well. It was the start of some serious competition for the big three.
Last edited by ThePabst; Nov 15, 2017 at 08:49 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Yeah, I can imagine that would be pretty rough on one of those cars. If I ever did anything like that, it would be more for nostalgia than anything else, and it would have to a pretty cheap purchase. Finding one not needing a ton of body work would be tough here too.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
From: Guyton, (Savannah) Georgia
I have a bare Rack and Pinion for sale if anyone wants to build their own brackets:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3-upgrade.html
Thanks,
Joel
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3-upgrade.html
Thanks,
Joel
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
I did mine in my '72....winter 01-02 before any kits came out....
so did my own design work, and had it fabbed up locally.....
junkyard '89 Grand Am rack, happened to be NEW when I pulled it.....
only TWO universal joints...not 3 as per the kits....
running fine since then....
so did my own design work, and had it fabbed up locally.....
junkyard '89 Grand Am rack, happened to be NEW when I pulled it.....
only TWO universal joints...not 3 as per the kits....
running fine since then....
Thanks
Tom