transamice

I didnt know where to ask but any feed on manual steering boxes, just an opinion.
Looking at flaming river, how would it compare to power steering?
Would be nice to be able to run one belt and get ride of the PS noise.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Well it all depends on what you plan on using the car for. I have an S10 manual box in my car and I dig it. The only gripe for me is trying to turn the wheel when I'm not moving. Other than that to me it has more road feel. The turns feel tighter (ofcourse) I like it.

transamice

Car is used mainly for cruising and the odd trip to the track.
I remeber driving an 83 Subaru with manaul steering, was tough to park sometimes but otherwise good driving.
Its just a mod I might consider.

AlkyIROC

Slow speed turning is difficult especially with wide front tires. For cruising and dragstrip use, you'll never notice it. I do have to do that hand over hand steering when turning sharply into my pit space but other than that, I hardly notice it. It will also depend on the size of the steering wheel. Smaller than stock and steering becomes even harder.

The manual steering box is 7 turns from stop to stop to give it the proper mechanical advantage. If you want to do things like autocross or drifting, you're going to want power steering.

I have an S10 manual box in my race car. It cleans up the engine compartment and removes a lot of excess weight. I have 4 spare boxes in my garage that I'll eventually sell to people wanting to convert to manual steering. The 84+ S10 box is a direct fit into F and G bodies except the pitman arm needs to be changed to keep the same steering geometry.

transamice

What years work for 3rd gens from S10s or other vehicles with manual steering?

JEFFK734

hey im interested if u wanna sell 1 of ur steering boxes, what pitman arm do u need, is it the 1 for an s-10?

transamice

Just curious when you swapped to manual steering did you change your rag joint to a universal?
If you know, what size universal fits 3rd gens to a S10 manual box?

AlkyIROC

The 84+ steering boxes with the 4 bolt top cover are a direct bolt in. Use a 7/16" socket and remove the steering shaft pinch bolt from the steering box and slide the shaft off. Install manual steering box, slide shaft back into box and reinstall pinch bolt. Install F-body pitman arm before or after installing manual box. Reinstall center link. Remove all remaining power steering components. Done.

When I installed a manual box into my race car, I used the factory steering lower shaft with the rag joint for a long time. When I finally installed big tube headers, the steering shaft wouldn't fit past the header tubes.

I took the steering shaft universals from an Astro van and converted them to the F-body lower steering shaft. All the sizes are the same but the yokes need to be welded to the F-body lower shaft. I still had clearance issues with the top yoke and needed to relocate the upper shaft through the firewall up and outward from it's factory position.

The F-body pitman arm hole is the same diameter as the late model manual box but it's a different length than the S10 pitman arm. Using a proper puller, take the pitman arm off the power box and install it onto the manual box.

89_RS

I've been pondering the manual box conversion too, and seeing as how there are a few threads on the subject I'll go ahead and threadnecromancer this thread.

First off, I'd like to point out that there are now aftermarket manual units & kits avaliable for the Thirdgen, just in case someone really doesn't want a used 84+ S10 box. A note on the Flaming River box, I've seen it said on here that the FR box weighs only 12lbs.

Conversion kit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRG-999001/

Manual Boxes:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLA-FR1495/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRG-920008/

Now my questions are more centered around how does a manual box handle under autocross & daily driving as well as how does a 24:1 ratio manual box relate to the stock PS. I've really appreciated Stephen's input, put I've not seen anyone else comment on how they handle.

AlkyIROC

The manual steering box conversion is normally for a drag racing application. It reduces a lot of weight off the front of the car and cleans up the engine compartment. Street driving normally isn't too bad and you probably wouldn't even notice it but slow speed turns especially with the wide front tires can be difficult. Don't convert to manual steering and install a smaller steering wheel.

For quick, effortless steering required for things like autocross, you'll want to keep the power steering. A manual steering box could never keep up with the fast turning required.

Flaming River has offered a manual steering box for a long time. For most people, the main reason they don't use it is the high cost. Why spend hundreds of dollars on a manual steering box when an S10 box can do the same job and be an easier bolt in for less than $100. All those aftermarket boxes are usually versions of the older, smaller, weaker, Vega box.

I had to change a power box on a GM last week and I forgot just how heavy they were.