Unisteer anyone?

[ss dave]

Ok I'll try it again. A little different wording. Anyone with experience driving with a Unisteer R&P unit? Like to know what you think. Thanks

[madmax]

I would also be interested - it is time for a rack for me and $799 seems a lot better than FR's price. Anyone have any experience?

Max

[ss dave]

Thanks Max for my back side. I've posted this question twice with different wording and got one response, and it was just installation. I thought maybe I did something wrong, lol. I can't believe all those PT guys that bought the unit don't have comments: good or evil. Come'on fill us in? Thanks. Dave

[ilovefirstgens]

yea another person wanting feedback here, unless its a horror story im still ordering one.

Also we are trying to set up a gp for them over at gpsuperstore so keep checking up over there....

[ss dave]

Max and ilov.. since we've gotten little response from our inquiry i went back to the GP thread and email'd some of purchasers. I'll post any reponses to let you know. Dave

[jacobgiles]

also interested

[ss dave]

Update, two responses, both installation, on a BB had to cut a header, on a SB install ok. No responses on DRIVING with the unit unfortunately.

[BonzoHansen]

SSD, try searching camaros.net forums. IIRC, these have been discussed there.

[ss dave]

Bonzo, thanks, I also asked the question twice @ camaros.net and didn't get much response but I'll try the search and maybe word the search differently to expand the background. I talked with the folks @ DSE and asked their opinion: the only thing he mention was a drawback was the decrease in turning ratio with the R&P. Which, incidently is important to me due to my 245's up front.

[ss dave]

Ok I've done the searches both this forum and camaros.net. I've read of ship problems and installation problems (this could be installer related) with Unisteer. In all fairness this could be said about A LOT of products however, so keep this in mind. I've read Steve Rupp's excellent article in PHR (thanks again Steve). But the answer to my question has still not been addressed: HOW DOES IT DRIVE??? Is it more responsive? does it feel better, safer, quicker. I've heard nothing but GOOD repsonses about the DSE 600. How does it stack up against it in driveability? Is it true that it has less turn ratio? Maybe Dave (steeryourite) can comment. In all the forums nobody has commented on this experience- has no one driven with it? Is there anyone that LIKES it? Please let us hear from you. Thanks

[killer69]

Well i just recieved our kit for our customers car, looks ok havent tried the mock up yet will be doing that next week so we will see i guess. wont have any driving feed back till april thos lets hope its as good as they say

[EFI69Cam]

Ok I've done the searches both this forum and camaros.net. I've read of ship problems and installation problems (this could be installer related) with Unisteer. In all fairness this could be said about A LOT of products however, so keep this in mind. I've read Steve Rupp's excellent article in PHR (thanks again Steve). But the answer to my question has still not been addressed: HOW DOES IT DRIVE??? Is it more responsive? does it feel better, safer, quicker. I've heard nothing but GOOD repsonses about the DSE 600. How does it stack up against it in driveability? Is it true that it has less turn ratio? Maybe Dave (steeryourite) can comment. In all the forums nobody has commented on this experience- has no one driven with it? Is there anyone that LIKES it? Please let us hear from you. Thanks


Given the extensive modifications required to install this "bolt on" kit, it does not suprise me that no one, including me, has driven their car with it installed. Like I have said, I had to re-route two header tubes to get the steering linkage to work. There is also the issue of installing the TC pump which involves fabricating brackets (I could have used my stocker though) and the installation and routing of the braided teflon pressure line. This conversion is a huge job. Anyone who thinks they will buy this kit and install it in a weekend is going to get a nasty suprise, unless they have a stock 67 or 68 with factory manifolds and short water pump, and they ordered everything from Unisteer, pump brackets, fluid hoses, rack and linkage.

I can say that the turning radius is decreased, the wheels stop at a tighter angle (sharper turn) than they did with my stock linkage and AGR box.

To me the benefits of weight loss (the entire rack weighs less than just the stock linkage not including the box and the aluminum TC pump is also a fraction of the weight of the iron stocker) and quicker steering is worth the effort.

[zuess4u]

Dave, if you talk to some of the guys at Unisteer, they will tell you how it drives. According to them they have R&Ded on two different Camaros, I realize their opinions may be biased, but Im sure they can give you numbers or e-mail addresses to some customers. I have only heard only good things, except for one guy who didnt follow instructions, but there is only one. And BB guys need to call, to make sure with the headers their using.

If everyone is interested I can call dave Batke (owner) and see if he will do another GP 20% off, I did this back in April I think. He sold like 14 kits off this site. Anyway here are some pics of the Paradise Valley High school project. It happens to be at my house, because I seprated the sub frame from the car and brought the frame and suspension to the school for the students to work with, along with designing a cross memeber for the T-56 and matting it to a 2 piece rear seal block for under 400.00$. Im proud of the students.

[mdlackey]

I'd be interested in a GP, but I'm concerned about what looks like a VERY sharp angle on the "knuckle" coming out of the top of the Unisteer unit and where your steering shaft would meet ... ???


Are those SC&C UCA's on your subframe?

Thanks,
Dave

[NovaPwr]

Ok I'll try it again. A little different wording. Anyone with experience driving with a Unisteer R&P unit? Like to know what you think. Thanks

I have driven mine probably a 1200 miles. Sorry I did not notice your question earlier but this time of year I am super busy! My rack install went very smoothly other than I had to elongate a mounting hole a very tiny bit. No header problems whatsoever. Plumbed my stock power steering pump up(and it works flawlessly) even though I had the nice C5 kit from Uni Steer. It was designed to work with a short water pump only. No one told me that and at the time I never saw it written anywhere. No problem though, Unisteer graciously took it back and refunded my money promptly.The rack to column linkage worried me at first, it looked like the angle with the two joint setup was excessive but after driving, it was very smooth. Now for the important part, how does it drive? Well, I went from driving a 107,000 mile worn stock front suspension with stock gear box and 4 wheel drum brakes to a tubular upper and lower control arm setup with adjustable coilovers and a new unisteer setup and a Baer 4 wheel disc brake setup all at once. All I know is it is like night and day compared to the old well worn setup. I am no road racer but the car steers much quicker, it has more resistance at the steering wheel than the factory power steering but I really like the firmer feel to the steering wheel. My old factory p/s always seemed too "loose" to me. I really never paid attention to my turning radius so if it is better or worse I could not tell you. I am totally pleased with the rack! Wish I could be of more help. If you are in Joe Paterno country come on by and take it for a spin when the roads dry up. PM me if you have any questions.
Dave

[OneslowZ28]

this has been some useful info for me as well Thanks to all that have responded. im looking at the unisteer set-up for my wayne due front sub. i was thinking on the full unisteer treatment. but with me going to a ramjet502 i assume there may be some clearance issues?

[4MuscleMachines]

My 69 Camaro has had one installed for close to 1.5yrs now. It drives great. Substantially improved over my old 68 with stock setup. The steering is tight and not sloppy at all. It does not feel vague, in fact, it feels firm and with good road feel. I recommend it highly. The only issue was the joint between the rack and column, it slightly binded and would sometimes pop. I had the joint reset and realigned and it went away.

[dhardison]

I think that Unisteer now offers a manual rack. Anyone installed/tested one?

Dan