Lee Power Steering vs. Power Steering Services

[Mr Nick]

Will be swapping to a 12:1 steering box this winter. After doing research, I've decided NOT to use AGR. Not a lot of praises for that company...

Everybody seems to love Lee Power steering, but it's a bit pricey at $500. (Unless prices have changed, the website isn't working)

How about Power Steering Services? Any experience with them? $259 would be much easier on the wallet then $500!
http://www.powersteering.com/

Thanks for any info!

Nick

[pitts64]

Nick, Just buy the Lee and be done with it. I have a 12 to 1 AGR in my shed with a couple other junk boxes I tried.
That cheep A1Auto rebuilt 12 to 1 box I tried was better then the AGR!

The Lee is smooth and tight! I'm staying on a new LS Lincoln in the video with one hand on my camera shooting this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-y5UHmmUN0

[Mr Nick]

I know, I know... get what you pay for. But I'm on a budget, and I'd like to do hydroboost at the same time. $500 for a steering box will take a chunk out of the brake budget.

Still looking for anybody who has used Power Steering Services...?

Thanks again
Nick

[68Formula]

Swap in a late model GN box if the budget is tight. Only requires a different rag joint and $4 inserts to adapt the hose fittings.

[pitts64]

Why the hydro boost? Low vacuum?

I agree with Mike on a GN box instead of the AGR.

That 69 Olds is one cool ride! I had a 70 Cutlass 350-4bbl that could stay with 396s and eat Chevy 350s for lunch.......

[ponchopwr70]

Just get the lee box, you will end up spending more when you realize the cheaper box isn't great and then you buy the lee box.

[69HuggrrrPT]

I agree with the Lee as well.

If you contact http://www.scandc.com/ they advertise a Lee 800 box for $415 which is the same size as a stock unit.

This is what I'll be doing.:cool:

[Mr Nick]

Why the hydro boost? Low vacuum?

I agree with Mike on a GN box instead of the AGR.

That 69 Olds is one cool ride! I had a 70 Cutlass 350-4bbl that could stay with 396s and eat Chevy 350s for lunch.......

Correct, I get a somewhat unstable idle vac of 12-13" I've got a pretty decent size solid cam in my SBO. The brakes are ok, but I want better.

[chicane67]

Ats / Lee...

[pitts64]

Nick,
I used a Summit vaccum reservoir #SUM-G1464 and it works well. I also have around 12" to 14" at idle even with Rhoads lifters. 12" Power disc brakes work just fine.
You could have good brakes and steering for 5 bills.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2DG1464&N=700+%2D45701+115&autoview=sku

[matdean]

How do the lee boxes mentioned "800 series" compare to something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nascar-Lee-14-1-Steering-Box_W0QQitemZ150097671817QQihZ005QQcategoryZ33589Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQc mdZViewItem

I am trying to figure out what to do as now I have manual steering that has alot of play and some wanter. My steering components are obviously worn. Lookign at the cost of all those new components and rebuilding the stock components, etc a rack doesnt seem like it would be that much more? Or is that just another can of worms, as I have heard alot of rack kits are junk.

[amx2334]

I've seen quite a few nascar ones on ebay also. Doesn't say what the torsion bar size is though. The sweet website lists the t-bars and they are pretty big. They list up to .275. A Monte SS is .204".
http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref29.html

[1969CamaroRS]

I'd get the Lee box and a Vacuum reservoir before I went with a different box and a hydro-boost.

I think you would be buying the Lee box soon anyways better to just get the right box the first time.

[pist0lpete]

Another cheap option for A-bodies is to use the steering box from a 1992 1/2-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Much quicker ratio, better valving, larger t-bar etc. Just need a ragjoint adapter and metric hose adapter inserts other than that it bolts right in.

[dharrod]

In terms of priority the steering should be more important that the Hydroboost (assuming you have big brakes). I feel the quick ratio is a must for the performance/handling. If you have 12-13 disc brakes (fr/rr) then the hydroboost is more about 'feeling' as you can get the same performance out of a manual system. In a build a Hydroboost is also something to add once funds allow (i.e. you can utilize a res for a while or run manual). I've heard so much positive things about Lee I purchased two for cars. pist0lpete does have a good option though ... I haven't heard of anyone that has had many issues with a Jeep swap.

[MonzaRacer]

the Jeep box is crap internally changed 2 for freinds already.
I am going to spend the $400 on getting my Monza box done by Lee.
I agree on the resevior can first and lookaround the junk yards for a vacuum pump and tie it in too.

[CTravis]

I think the original post was in regards to the quality of the rebuilds from powersteering.com and not questioning the lee boxes.

Nick, it looks as though no one has had a box rebuilt by "Chip" (using quotes because I do not want to sound like I know him) at powersteering.com. From what I hear, he is a one man show; to me that says a LOT (quality control, customer service, experience/knowledge, timely rebuild, etc). Everything that I have heard has been positive about him. Budget is a key factor in decision making, so having Chip rebuild the box may be a good route for you.

[pitts64]

I've also read nothing but good things about Chip at Power Steering service. His prices seem reasonable!
http://www.powersteering.com/

[Marcus SC&C]

The old saying holds true... price, speed or quality...pick two. Lee`s been doing nothing but high performance steering gear for forty five years how long has anyone else been doing it? Who was GM/Delphi Steering`s man of honor at the Indy 500 last year? Yeah,Tom Lee.
I`m sure lots of guys make a good violin but if you want the best you get a Stradivarius. If you could get one for only $100 more than one from the Acme Violin Co. would you? Nuff said. :)

Want your car to have the awesome performance steering feel of a Jeep Cherokee...um...have you ever driven a Jeep Cherokee?

NASCAR steering boxes are great. 85% of them are made by Lee. If your cars runs a NASCAR spec steering pump with that specific output pressure curve and your usual cruise RPM is 7,000RPM it`s exactly the box you need.

Last,if you can save up for another few weeks or a month or whatever and pony up for the 670 box it is worth it. You save about 6.5lbs. which is nice and it`s a bit smaller which is nice too but the big difference is the valving. When they say they have "rack and pinion valving" it`s not marketing double talk for tuning them to feel more like a rack and pinion it means that the actual hard parts of the valving are made in the same manner,using a one piece spool valve and stub shaft that gets rid of the play in the older 800 series 2 piece/floating system. The sizing of the valve gear is also different. This is a big part of what makes racks feel more responsive and precise than older boxes and the 670 box has it too! Mark SC&C

[tyoneal]

To Everyone:

Is the Delphi 600 Series Power Steering Gear Box, interchangeable with the Lee 800 and the Lee 670?

I have a 1965 Buick Riviera that needs a good steering box and have used the Lee boxes before. (They are the Best) I really want to use another Lee Box.

Any help you could shed would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

[wmhjr]

FWIW, I've dealt with Chip at Power Steering Services and his work is top notch. Can't speak for Lee or comparisons between the two. But I've never seen, experienced or heard of any issues with any of Chips work.

[Damn True]

FWIW, I've never heard of Power steering services.

[wmhjr]

FWIW, I've never heard of Power steering services.

Chip does a ton of work for the Pontiac crowd. Lots of folks over at PY for example use him. That's how I found him.

[protour73]

just out of curiosity, what are the bad experiences with the AGR 12:1 box?
I have this unit on my '73 Camaro and it has performed flawlessly.....in fact I love it!!

[MonzaRacer]

Yours Protour73 is the first one I have heard of that hasnt had issues without readjusting, flushing, having replacements sent, I have never heard of Lee box anyone took back out because it didnt work right.

[pitts64]

If you do go with the Lee, you need to call them and get the orifice size needed for your particular set up.. I had to open mine up a little, I don't remember the size but it made a very big difference!