Power Rack & Pinion for a 69 Camaro

[John 69 Camaro]

Hi,

I am exploring various power rack & pinion conversions for my 69 Camaro. The car is a 383 Stroker with a set of Hooker Competition Headers that have 1 5/8" x 30" tubes. I also have a GM Serpentine set-up with the stock Power Steering Pump.

I am looking at conversion kits from Flaming River and Steeroids. Has anyone used these applications and if so, which one do you think provide the best performance & dependability for the price?

The Flaming River Kit comes with a Power Steering Pump that uses a 4" pulley. My current Pulley has a diamenter of approximently 7". Has anyone installed the Flaming River Pump using the GM Serpentine system and if so, what challenges did you experience?

John

[T-Bone]

Gents:

I'm also interested in the various available rack & pinion conversions for my 1968 Camaro.

Do any of the kits use a "stock" R&P, just in case I need to replace it 10 years from now? I'd hate to buy a custom-modified rack that is available from only one source.

Thanks,
Steve

[dhutton]

You are probably not going to find much support for the add-on R&P setups here on this forum. They seem to create more problems than they solve. Most will tell you to buy one of the upgraded boxes from ATS, DSE and Lee.

Try using the search tool, there is lots of info about them to be found.

Don

[LowBuckX]

support our sponcers when you can. Unisteer sells a rack that fits your application. Also the boxes from ATS detroit speed and SC&c are nice units.

[David Pozzi]

Lots to be learned using the search feature of this forum.

[John 69 Camaro]

Thanks Guys. If the R&P isn't all it's cracked up to be than I'll look into the upgraded boxes. Thanks for the advice on the search tool. I did use it for the R&P and I didn't seem to find anything on my specific questions. Perhaps I overlooked those threads. John

[Zulu28]

Yeah, me either. This thread came up in the search though!

[killer69]

We have had good luck with the unisteer kit, we also have headers that fit a 2 joint shaft. that is going to be your biggest PITA is you will have to cu and modify your existing headers, or sell them and get a set that fits.

[XLexusTech]

David gives the best advice here. Seek (Search) and you will find.
The best I can tell its his way of getting you the info you need without bashing or supporting any products directly.

Search on UNiSteer here and @ lateral G. At a minimum it will teach you about Bump steer.
If you looking for opinions, Get a Box from Sc&C or ATS and forget the Rack unless you go after market sub and front steer.

[David Pozzi]

check some of these threads on rack systems: https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/search.php?searchid=907830

Installing a late model steering box is much easier than a rack. I just don't see a rack being a big improvement over a well built power steering box with high effort/fast ratio. If I were to use a rack, I'd look at the Unisteer.

Power steering boxes have their usual header clearance issues. With some rack systems, there have been reports of problems with the mounting bracket fit/install, some (steeroids?) hang down lower than the subframe, they would be damaged if you hit something on the road. The steering shaft is very tricky to set up. Not impossible but there have been many posts asking for help on that issue. The shaft also cuts across the front of the headers and clearance to the shaft has been mentioned. Big Blocks are mentioned a lot for this. Some have to remove the rack to install or remove their BB engine, the oil pan is too close to the rack. Some mention of not getting full steering travel lock to lock has come up. camaros use two or three different lengths of outer steering arms, so a too long outer arm can cause lack of travel. I believe Unisteer has proper arms for their rack.
David