The rack is the easy part, its all the other parts that are a headache.

Do a search and find the last 20 threads on R&P you will see discussion of a GM Grand Am? rack mentioned several times.

 

Let me try to answer all the questions.

Steve Straus, you don't have to completely remove the rack in order to remove the oil pan. You can unbolt the rack from the brackets and the u-joints (to the steering column) and then swing it out of the way. In all it involves 4 bolts and 2 setscrews. It would take less than 10 minutes to do that.

ScubaJKD, obviously the road feel issue is a personal preference but I will say that it is still a bit over boosted for a hardcore enthusiast. However, it certainly isn't boosted any more than the factory system. There are three things that affect steering feel that we can easily address; Caster setting, power steering pump, and toe setting. We recommend running as much caster as possible. This helps both high-speed stability and increases steering effort. Power steering pump, we offer a pump that has been specifically tuned for our steering rack. The pump optimizes both the output pressure and flow rate for better feel. Finally, the toe setting won't change the steering effort but it will change the feel. You can run anything from zero to 1/8" toe in without significant tire wear problems. The more toe in you run, the more stable it will feel. The less toe in you run the more responsive it will feel (some will say twitchy).

A manual kit would be the same kit minus the hoses and adaptors and would have a discount of $80.

dsagers, we are using the rack with 2.5 turns, 61.75 c-factor and 154mm of travel. The racks are used in a variety of cars. Grand Am, Corsica, Skylark, Cavalier, etc.

hermit, as MikeC points out nothing is definite but our kit fits a variety of headers. Most headers fit fine and a few require a very slight dimpling. At the moment I am not aware of any headers that absolutely won't fit (although I'm sure there are some). If you have specific questions I can get you measurements. Pictures of your headers would also be helpful in determining it they will clear.

 

Thanks for your advise I am going to try using your pump and adjusting the caster and see how she runs.

Moss

:cheers:

 

:iagree: with MikeC. Not about paying the student loans...but rather about having more time. My current steering sucks, and this -- along with the 200-4R -- would bring my car into the 20th century (EFI might drag it into the 21st...)

So is there any possibility of stretching out this GP?

 

I have a new factory power steering pump that I am planning on using. Will I wish I had the Speed Direct pump, or will there be that much difference?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

Speed Direct: How much is shipping to Hawaii? Slow boat is fine as I am in no hurry.

Thanks


[Modified by Maurice, 1:08 PM 11/6/2003]

 

(You might want to also include the price so folks dont have to read a couple of threads to find out the info.)

The terms will be the same as previous GPs and that is a price of $985 with a flat shipping rate of $33 for a total of $1018.00 This price will include shipping to Canada but Texas residents will have to pay sales tax as well.


[Modified by Thumper76, 3:24 PM 11/6/2003]

 

I edited the first post and added the price in.

 

Hey thumper I just installed the Steeriods kit and I also have a new factory pump. I can tell you that I am going to take their recommendation and get the specific pump they recommend as well as make the alignment changes they recommend. As it is now it feels very light and squirly to steer with absolutely no road feel which does not exactly build confidence when taking a turn. I am spending the extra bucks and would recommend you do the same. Just my 2c.

Moss

:cheers:

 

I'm curious as to what the differences are between the pumps. Does the R&P require more or less pressure than the regular pump?

 

Thanks for the reply. Also, I'm curious, how hard is this thing to steer in manual mode when compared to a stock manual steering box? Is it harder or easier?

Thanks

--
Steve

 

Maurice, we can ship via the U.S. Postal service, which runs $63 for Priority mail and $36 for parcel post. Parcel post will probably take a couple of weeks to get there. FedEx 2 day runs $66 so the choice is yours.

Thumper76, I can't really say how big of a difference our pump will make. It all depends on the pressure and volume your current pump is making. Typically the stock pumps put out more pressure and volume than a rack needs. So our pump has both lower pressure and volume than the stock pump.

Steve, in manual mode it actually isn't a big deal to steer it. The effort is quite manageable. The only time it is a real issue is at low speed in a parking lot or somewhere like that. Once the car is rolling it is really no problem.

 

Thanks, I was referring to steering it at low speeds, when manual steering is at it's worst :-). Do you have any basis of comparison on the difference between a stock unit and the steeroids rack?

--
Steve

 

Steve, I don't have direct experience with the stock manual steering on a Corvette so I can't compare the two. However, I have experience with Camaros with both stock manual steering and Steeroids. They are basically equal in steering effort at low speed but the rack is actually slightly easier to steer at higher speeds.

 

Does your PS pump bolt on in place of the GM unit in a 68 427 or do you need new brackets also? Right now my car does not have power steering so I need to get everything from brackets to pump to Steeroids setup. You wouldn't happen to supply the complete conversion as a kit? Thanks

 

Will your PS pump effect a hydroboost brake system? Will it drive both?

 

Rather than stretching out the GP we are actually considering moving it up. It seems that Mike and Steve are ready to go and we feel that we will be able to bring in a few more if we run this for maybe 3 weeks. In fact, we want to kickstart the GP by offering an additional discount of $40 if you order before the end of next week! So, if you place your order between now and before the end of the business day of Nov. 14th we will sell the kit for $978 (plus tax for TX). After the 14th the normal GP price of $1018 ($985 + $33 s&h) will be in effect.

Although we will have other GP's I think this is a deal that probably won't come along again so take advantage of it. For those that want to stretch the GP out I think it's better if we get this one rapped up and then we can have another in the first part of the year.

 

BBShark, our pump is just a tuned stock pump so it will bolt in the same location using the stock brackets. At the moment we don't offer the brackets or pulleys to add power steering to a car that doesn't have it. You will have to get those from Eckler's, Corvette Central or others like that.

tjl5709, I'm not certain if our tuned pump will work with the hydroboost. I will have to talk to Paul at Hydratech to see what their system requires.

 

Something is definately wrong here. I seem to be actually ready to buy something during a GP. It seems like I am usually either not ready to purchase yet or I just miss the special. I got on the speed direct web site and couldn't find any info on the power steering pump. Could you help? Also the headers I am using are the Hooker header/sidepipe combo for big block application. I saw where these headers would fit and it did not mention any modifications necessary. The smallblock application required dimpling. It would seem odd that the BB would not but it looks like they will fit.


[Modified by hermit, 9:39 PM 11/7/2003]

 

I'm also running Hooker headers/side pipes, but on a small block. I've talked with some who run small blocks and some who run big blocks. Not everyone out of either group has had to dimple their headers in order to run Steeroids. I seem to have plenty of room, but am waiting until I can install the Steeroids before I have mine ceramic coated, in case I do need to make some modifications to the header tube(s) in order for everything to have enough room.