weight savings manual steering?? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

xx11seczxx · 10-22-2009, 11:01 PM

i was looking at doing an s10 manual steering box as i heard that it is a direct bolt in and will save a ton of weight but my question is just how much. im sure someone knows..

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on ThirdGen!

xx11seczxx · 10-22-2009, 11:23 PM

nvm did a search and found it so before you start screaming i got it. just curious tho, how many of you woud do this? the car is mostly race its got skinnys on the front and is only driven once a month at the most. is it a pain to turn?

gregsz-28 · 10-23-2009, 02:30 AM

It doesn't take a lot of extra effort, you just have to turn the wheel a lot further. With skinnies, I'd just do the swap. Even if you don't like it, you can re-install power steering and only have wasted a couple hours.

BTW, it isn't a direct bolt-it if you're still using a front swaybar, you have to grind away a little bit of the top/rear part of the DS swaybar mount.

While you're at it, you should check and see if the S10 pitman arm will bolt on. If you could use the S10 idler arm, you could also use the S10 pitman arm, to reduce steering effort. My S15 has manual steering and a small aftermarket steering wheel, and the steering effort is noticeably lighter than it is in my camaro, even while not moving.

xx11seczxx · 10-23-2009, 06:32 AM

its used for drag for the most part no swaybar and a small grant wheel. my thing is if im going down the track and the car gets out of shape can it be corrected without turning the wheels a full turn.

Stephen 87 IROC · 10-23-2009, 09:19 AM

I got well out the groove once this year. Just like a power box, it only takes a little effort to correct the steering while you're moving.

A power box has 2-1/2 turns from stop to stop. An S10 manual box is 7 turns. Because I use a 27.5" tall skinny, I can't turn from stop to stop before the tires hit the inner fenders. This just means I don't have a short turning radius and occasionally need to make a 3 point turn.

xx11seczxx · 10-23-2009, 04:58 PM

so going down the track it doesnt take more than the usual small turn of the wheel to straighten it up?

Stephen 87 IROC · 10-23-2009, 08:07 PM

Correct.

You can watch how much steering I do in these videos including turning off the track at the end. No more than a 1/2 turn in either direction for normal steering.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/M...rag_699695.htm

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/C...car_163625.htm

kens86 · 10-23-2009, 08:25 PM

you will be fine. I drive mine on the street and track.

xx11seczxx · 10-23-2009, 08:36 PM

sounds good and this is a pretty simple install? probly less than an hour. also looking to pull the ac and water pump what kind of belt set up would you guys recommend switching to just need to run an alternator at that point.

gregsz-28 · 10-23-2009, 09:01 PM

My Camaro with manual steering was my daily for a while, it isn't bad at all.

Do you have v-belts or a serpentine belt, or both?

xx11seczxx · 10-24-2009, 07:23 AM

ive got a full serpentine at this point. ac/ powersteering/waterpump/and alternator. everything but the smog pump. looking to shed some pounds.

kens86 · 10-24-2009, 04:34 PM

currently i am running the serp setup that came on these cars that power the water pump,crank and alternator. Putting electric WP on this week though. NOw i need a new setup.