Spent about 5 hours this afternoon test fitting the new Saginaw all in one power steering box I got from Tom Reina at Corvette Steering!
Getting it to fit was a royal pita, but I got it in, finally. After I got it in, I decided to hell with the test fit, I'm not gonna work this hard again.
The worse part is getting the universal joint that connects the steering shaft to the steering box to line up. The steering colum has to be collapsed almost all the way to the grooves on the end of it in order to get enough room to for the u-joint to fit. I think I might have collapsed my column a little to much, but it was the only way I could get the joint to fit.
Even after collapsing the column the steering column still has to be removed or at least disconnected in order to make the connection.
Anyway the box will fit, but just barely, it is BIG and HEAVY, it probably weighs 35 lbs or more, so don't think you are going to cut any weight by replacing your old box and hydraulic ram!
The steering box as supplied is drilled to use the holes that are in the frame of the C3. In order to add support two machined steel supports are provided on the front and back mounting holes. There is only one bolt in the back (as on the C3 box), and two in the front. To install the heavy blastard, I found it easiest to install one bolt in the bottom front, and then roll the box into position, to install the other bolts. As I said it was a tight fit, I had to "massage" the brake distribution block slightly to get the box in postion to get the bolts to line up.
I still need to install the pitman arm, tighten the set screws on the universal joint and re-bolt up the steering column. Also hook up the hoses and fill it with Genuine GM PS fluid!
I'm going to go ahead and post this, then go out and take some pictures. I'll add them to the post afterwhile.
Here's one from a couple of weeks ago with the PS control valve taken apart.

Here's the box installed from the top! You can see some of my bubba temperature sensor adjustment resistor

Here's a side view, I should have rotated this pic before I uploaded. It is from the same position as the first pic. You can see the cover over the end of the old PS control valve and the pitman arm shaft out of the box.

Here's a shot from the bottom, you can see the ujoint and one of the black support spacers for the box.

Here's a better shot of the ujoint!

Here's an over-exposed shot from the top showing the back support spacer.


I'm tired!!


[Modified by Smokehouse69, 10:05 PM 6/27/2004]

 

May I ask what are the benefits of this type of system?

 

 

SIMPLICITY!!!

 

It eliminates the leak prone PS control valve and the hydraulic ram. It also gives you a super quick 12-1 turn ratio and unsurpassed steering (supposedly, I'll find out )
According to the literature this is the same box that is used on NASCAR cars.
Here's a link to Tom's place http://www.corvettesteering.com
Give him a call he'll talk your ear off, and he is one funny dude, but he'll give you the facts on the install. BTW, I had to convince him that I had the knowledge and ability to do the install, before he's sell me the kit. He'll tell you the truth that it isn't an real easy install. But it is supposed to be worth it!
Like I said, I'll find out!

 

This is interesting. Bring 'er up to San Antonio some time and we can do a side-by-side comparison to the Steeroids system!

 

I'll probably be up there in about 2 or 3 weeks, visiting the folks, so if I get the AC back together and heater core installed, I'll drive it up! I'll let you know when I'm coming!

 

It looks much wider than stock, can it be used with headers??

 

I'm not sure, there looks like there would probably be enough clearance, and I think there are some pictures on the Corvette Steering Website of cars with headers.
There are a couple other guys that have this box here on the forum, I think Chuck Harmon has the setup on his BB with headers.

Addition:

I found the link to Chuck's post on the install, he has headers.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=760453



[Modified by Smokehouse69, 11:48 AM 6/28/2004]

 

Can you describe the spacers used between the box and frame, if any?

Thanks
Chris

 

No spacers between box and frame, the are backing plates that are 1/2" thick machined steel. They are necessary to provide support to the back of the box, since the holes that come in the box don't match the C-3 holes, new holes have to be drilled in the casting, so the backing plates add support. They are very strong machined pieces that fit perfectly to the casting.
The pictures show the backing plates.

 

Keep us updated on the progress.