manual steering box for 'pro-touring'?

[Johnny Blaze]

Can anyone recommend a steering box for a gm application that is non power, but has a good ratio for a pro touring type car?

[Yoda4561]

I can't really think of one. The fat front tires, heavy front ends, and need to turn quickly seem to be at odds with manual steering.

[Randy67]

I had a 16:1 manual box (from Lares Corp) on my El Camino. It wasn't bad at all to steer, even when autoxing with 275/40/17 V710s on the front. It was kinda hard when sitting still, but as long as you were moving it turned easy. The only issues I had with it was during autox, it slowed me down in quick switchback sections (like Chicago boxes, tight slaloms and such). Other than that I liked it on the street alot.

[Taman]

I agree with Ramdy. I was going to go with a manual rack on my TA. I drive more on the street. So going in and out of cruise nights with manual steering would be a pain. I had a car with a manual rack when I was a kid. No problem avove 5 mph but quick steering inputw were a little bit of a chore. Go with the power steering. You can buy a valve to put innline to take some of the boost away fro the steering. Heidts sells a nice one that doesn't dead head your pump.

[jy211]

do you have a small block or big block? I ask because I had a non power quick ratio on my 68'. I had it on for about 100 miles. But with my big block, driving it was like working out! I took it off and put on a power quick ratio box I got through ATS. I still have the non power box if your interested in it?

[Johnny Blaze]

Going to Ls motor.

My daily driver truck has manual steering, so I am use to it.

[dipren443]

Going to Ls motor.

My daily driver truck has manual steering, so I am use to it.

Truck box... Slow ratio. Not so big a deal to have manual.

Manual and quick ratio box... Not so much fun. I don't think anyone out there makes a really good QR manual box.

[jknight16]

I bought a quick ratio manual box for my car, drove it for about 300 miles and did a power conversion with a lee box. When all that matters is going straight on 215/70-15's, manual steering is fine. When you start trying to hustle your 245's (or wider) through the twisties, most are gonna wish they had some assist. I'm not a small guy, and I didn't find it realistic to try to strongarm my car around a canyon, much less an autocross or track day.

I bought mine from a member, it was made by a company called Remy Racing. It was a very nice piece with very little slop, but it was very heavy on the arms.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33095

[Randy67]

Surprisingly the quick ratio box is only slightly harder to turn than the slow ratio boxes. I autoxed 2 years with the manual box, but I have power steering now, mainly due to putting a 94 LT1 into the car.

[Norm Peterson]

You may discover that you'll want to tweak your alignment settings - caster in particular - toward less aggressive settings.

A heavy front end (absolute weight, not front% of total) + quick steering + lots of positive caster - power assist ≈≈ Bowflex simulator.


Norm