Cars'n'Guitars

What are some front steering swaps that are lighter than the stock 3rd gen f-body setups? Some pictures would also be appreciated.

daverr

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old pic

Cars'n'Guitars

Details on this setup?

Drkhrse89

iTrader: (1)

That looks like the PA Racing k-member with the pinto manual rack.

http://www.paracing.com/racingstore/...o3sb3saj78hga5

RS/SS 4.8

iTrader: (1)

Does anyone sell a powersteering version rack n pinion for these cars?

AlkyIROC

If you're converting to a rack and pinion to save weight, you don't want power steering.

Cars'n'Guitars

How good is this setup? Does it really cut weight and worth the time and money?

no green

To put that rack & pinion in is big $$, it's almost $3K to do it right with a k member, coil over, a arms, rack... plus al the other nickle & dime stuff. It is a bad *** setup, but you pay for it, and it will shed about 25-45 pounds, according to the Spohn rep i just talked to yesterday.

I have one of these that I got for a price I couldnt pass up: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fl...maro/year/1985... new box & steering linkage for $150. The guy bought & installed it and then decided to go with the rack and pinion, and put this on the shelf... the car never moved. It shaved about 10 pounds off + whatever the pump weighed.

It stears almost as easy as the stock power box, and WAY easier than the power box with no pump.

Another option I've heard of is a manual S10 box.

Cars'n'Guitars

Would you happen to know which box is lighter?

AlkyIROC

Manual steering box is around 24 pounds. Power steering box is heavier plus the weight of the pump, lines, fluid etc.

no green

The Flaming river box was about 10# lighter than the factory power steering box. plus, i removed the lines & pump for antother 10# or so.

I dont kow what the S10 box weighs, but I'm sure its lighter than the power stuff. It's also much cheaper. you could find a nice used one for around $150 or so.

I just got lucky with my setup... The guy even had it aligned, so when I took my car in, they didnt even have to change anything in the front.



If this is a track only car, you can remove the front sway bar (like i did), and there was alot of little brackets and junk i unbolted. I didnt weigh it, but the sway bar is around 10-20#, and all those little brackets and junk were probably worth 5#. I'm also going to upgrade to an aluminum rad, which i think will be about 5# lighter than my stock one.

Cars'n'Guitars

Alright thanks for the info, it is going to be a track only car and maybe driven around the neighborhood on occasions.

AlkyIROC

For drag racing, a manual steering system is fine. If you intend to autocross or road course race then you're going to want power steering.

Cars'n'Guitars

I know this, my big debates so to say are the rack and pinion setup, s10 gearbox, or the other manual gear box posted earlier.

daverr

iTrader: (1)

rack n pinion gives you more room ,less linkages, and more importantly way better steering response.

gear boxes are great for trucks.

RS/SS 4.8

iTrader: (1)

What rack n pinion with power steering would fit in place of the manual powered one. The later power steering ones from the pintos?

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

do you already have all the other tubular stuff? like kmember/arms... i think i would do that stuff first. i have a manual s10 box on my car but i believe i am going to put the power steering stuff back on. its just so much nicer to drive, and its worth putting 10lbs back on the car- to me.

fwiw, the s10 box went right on there. when i ordered my kmember, i got it with mounts for a 4th gen rack. when i put the rack on, i realized i wasnt going to be able to hook up my column as the input shaft on the rack is at the wrong angle. so with a rack setup, you have to watch out for that problem as well as possible bumpsteer issues.

Cars'n'Guitars

I have bought nothing yet, I want to figure out the steering set up to go with before I start buying parts.

FRMULA88

The manual Box from the S-10 bolts right in.

It is also about half the weight of the stock power steering box
and costs a heck of a lot less than rack pinion setup if you are on a budget.


Just be sure to re-use your pitman arm to maintain correct steering geometry.

I would not use a Vega or Pinto box, they are bit small for this car, The S10 box is nice and responsive for my application.

Cars'n'Guitars

I will be going with the S10 setup if I keep my car.

AlkyIROC

If you go with an S10 box, make sure you get the late model box. It will have a 4 bolt top cover. The early box has a 3 bolt top cover and takes a bit more work to get it to work properly.