OddJack

iTrader: (1)

The power steering is too soft for me. I dont wanna feel like I am driving a cadillac.

So, how would you make the steering a little firmer, is it pssible? Ideas?

blue birdy 87

I believe this will help

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GL...RO&prefilter=1

Double check to make sure thats for your year before buying though

Apeiron

He's talking about steering effort.

88FormulaKiller

iTrader: (8)

If your steering linkage is old and worn (which most of these cars at their age are) i would replace all the steering linkage. You get what you pay for, i prefer moog parts but even a cheap ebay kit will be a huge improvement over 20+ year old linkage. Keep in mind pitman arms tend to last so replacement isnt always necessary unless the splines have been stripped. Edelbrock makes some pretty inexpensive billet tie rod adjusters as well which are much easier to work with and look nice too. Expect to pay up to $200+ for a full moog replacement kit (tie rods in/out, drag, adjusters(edel), ball joints, links).

OddJack

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I am talking about having the steering less assisted by power and more by muscle.

GICATA

It's my belief the old school steering boxes are by nature easier to turn than the new steering rack systems. Both my newer vehicles have rack systems and have a nice "sports car" resistance, where my TA and my old C-10 have very light effort and can be turned with a finger tip. There are rack system available for our cars.

OddJack

iTrader: (1)

That would be great.

Does it come as a kit? Any part number? What's the ease of installation level?

Damon

The amount of "resistance" or "feel" in the steering is a combination of the pump and the steering box. Your car is a "base model", so it got the F41 suspension system, which includes a specific pump and steering box. More performance-oriented versions of the car got the WS6 system, which used a different pump and box.

If you want a tighter feel to the steering system you might consider a bolt-in upgrade to the higher performance parts (they are bolt-in replacements). The steering box makes the most difference, FYI.

The performance box is a ~12:1 steering ratio vs. the ~14:1 ratio of the entry level box. Plus the performance box is valved "tighter".

I installed the WS6 box and pump from an 87 Trans Am in my 78 Malibu (not exactly a bolt-in like it would be on your car, but still easily adaptable) and the difference was jaw-dropping. I quickly realized how inadequate the rest of the suspension was once I upgraded the steering. A few suspension tweaks later and my old Malibu handles like..... well...... at least as well as a modern Buick, anyway!

If you consider that your current box is likely the original that came on the car from the factory and could be pretty worn out, I can imagine a fresh performance box might give you almost as big a "holy cow!" kind of improvement.

Do the box swap. Nowhere near as difficult or expensive as doing a rack-and-pinion conversion. It may well satisfy your desire for better steering. X-reference to a same-year 350 TPI Trans Am and you'll have the box you need.

OddJack

iTrader: (1)

Damon,

what other camaros have the WS6? Like 89-92 Z28? How do you tell a base model from WS6?

Searching for the trans am box now.

OddJack

iTrader: (1)

This is what I found, pricey but not too bad.





http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AGR-225153/



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t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

IIRC, WS6 is a Formula Firebird.
PM your way.

8t2 z-chev

years ago,the steering box of my z28 started to leak at
the input shaft seal so i took it out for repair and put a
sport coupe"varible ratio"box in to use in the meantime
-did not like it at all...Just as i was about to start repair
on my original z28 steering box,a nice low-miles '85
T.A. steer box became avalible and i installed that
instead-constant ratio and higher steering effort than
my original z28 steering boxliked the z28 steering,
but this was better yet!

irocarter

iTrader: (1)

you can buy a remanufactured box through AZ for $120 (quick ratio)

OddJack

iTrader: (1)

wahts the ratio on that AZ part? is it 12 or 12.7?

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

You can install a rack and pinion kit. That would firm it up a lot

mmadden55

A larger diameter pulley on th ps pump will lower the hyd pressure and increase steering effort.

OddJack

iTrader: (1)

Anyone knows if the steering box on a WS6 and a Z28 camaro is the same?

Damon

I believe if they came originally with the 16" wheels and 245zr16 tires they use the same box. The cars with 15" wheels got the slower boxes. Don't quote me on that, though.