67 Camaro Manual Steering question

[Cruiser]

I want to go from power to manual steering. THe main reason is to get rid of the pump assy,hoses and belt. I like the cleaner looks of the manual set up.

Is a steering box from a 67-69 camaro a good choice? I have access to one from a 68 right now, should I get it? Is there something about a Vett or vega box?

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks
Joe

[Cruiser]

anyone?

[JEFFTATE]

I have a friend who needs to replace the factory manual steering box on his 67 Camaro.
We're looking for a replacment box ( maybe quick ratio ).
I work at a Chevy Dealer and I can't even get the original boxes through GM or Delco anymore.

I put a 1992 IROC quick ratio power box on my '69 Camaro.
It's great. I love it.
The car drives so much better.

On the '67 , I think all the first gen. boxes were interchangeable.
(I said I think)
But the linkage was different on a power vs. manual equiped car.

[David Pozzi]

Yes, any of the GM car manual boxes will work. I hear the S10 manual boxes work too.
There is a fast and slow ratio, the fast is pretty rare and will have around 2.5 turns lock to lock. Most manual boxes have 5 to 6 turns lock to lock.

You can speed up a slow box by using a long pitman arm, and shorter outer arms. The manual boxes have smaller output shafts, so you need the manual pitman, - power steering pitman arms are too large.
The arm does not go all the way on the shaft, it goes on just over 3/4 of the way because the splines are tapered and you don't want the shaft to bottom out or it will come loose.
My web page has a steering section, but I don't have a lot of info on manual systems.
David

[JEFFTATE]

Thanks David !

[David Pozzi]

I would add that if you are interested in good cornering, most manual systems are not quick enough to keep up, and the ones that are quick enough, take a lot of effort to turn the wheel.

I would not want a manual steer Camaro myself, since I'm into autocross and track days.

The weight penalty for PS is 27.5 lbs difference for the whole system vs Manual.
David

[Randy67]

I have a 16:1 manual box in my el camino, while it isn't running yet, it is easier to turn sitting still than I expected. That's with 245/45/17 front tires, and engine in the car. For reference, it is far easier than turning my 03 Mustang GT with the engine off. Still, it may be stiffer than some are willing to put up with.

[redfire69]

Would a manual rack setup work better?

[68Formula]

I have a 16:1 manual box in my el camino, while it isn't running yet, it is easier to turn sitting still than I expected. That's with 245/45/17 front tires, and engine in the car. For reference, it is far easier than turning my 03 Mustang GT with the engine off. Still, it may be stiffer than some are willing to put up with.

Power steering without the engine running vs. manual steering is similar to powerbrakes without the booster vs. manual brakes. The power "version" without the power typically feels worse than the manual.

If you disconnected your pump on the GT, I think you'd find it quite the workout to do a parking manuever.

I had a manual box on a similar vehicle weight car as a Camaro. it was not a fast ratio and the tires were 195s. Driveable, but way too much effort at low speeds. Once you get up to highway speeds it's fine.

[Cruiser]

Thanks for all the info here. I have made up my mind to stay power but go with the gen II style pump, DSE hard line and braided lines with AN fittings with a 670 or 600 steering box. Still looking to find out what the 670/600 boxes came in though.......might be 98 Jeeps with V-8's.

Joe

[Randy67]

If you disconnected your pump on the GT, I think you'd find it quite the workout to do a parking manuever.

I had a manual box on a similar vehicle weight car as a Camaro. it was not a fast ratio and the tires were 195s. Driveable, but way too much effort at low speeds. Once you get up to highway speeds it's fine.

I drove a BB 71 Camaro street/strip car for 1.5 years with a ps box but no pump, not much fun, but not impossible either. I switched it out for a regular manual box and it was alot easier to drive :6gears:
The quick ratio manual box just suprised me with being easier to turn than I thought it would be.