New Steering Box- Header Replacement

[jptonks]

Hello All,



I hope that steering questions can be posted in the suspension category.

I just purchasrd a redone (3 years ago) 1969 Camaro.The power steering box looks like a stock piece and I am considering upgrading to a DES 600 or Lee Manufacturing upgrade. The car is street driven only.

The rebuilt small block engine has Hedman headers and the the cylinder #5 header tube passes by the stock steering box with 1/6 inch clearance (maybe less). I am concerned that an upgraded steering box will interfere with the #5 header tube even worse.

I am convinced that a steering upgrade is important to my overall enjoyment of the car. Do I have to go to shorty style headers or does someone make long tube headers that will clear these aftermarket steering boxes?

Can I reuse the stock steering linkage as long as there is no slop aanywhere? Will 12.7 steering ratio be too sensitive for a street car and should I look for something closer to 14.0?

Who would have guessed that a steering box upgrade would cost so much when you throw in new headers.

Thanks for your help.

John T.