I know this is going to sound dumb but here goes...

What exactly is a "fast ratio steering box" and what does it do? Is it better than the standard stearing box? Should I upgrade to a "fast ratio steering box" if my car does not already have it?

I have a 1992 RS 305 TBI that came with 16 inch rims.

Thanks

The difference is it takes 2.25 turns to complete a turn as opposed to 2.5. And supposedly the 2.25 boxes are tighter than the 2.5 ration steering boxes.

If you have a 1992 RS 305TBI I think it would be unlikely that you would have the quicker ration steering box.

I know 1LE and B4C cars got them. As did many WS6 cars. I don't know about on the camaro side.

Were do I find a quick ratio stering box?

You can get them from Summittracing for like 300 bux. I wouldn't worry about getting one unless you need one. Like I did. You can get one at the bone yards also if you can find a 1LE, B4C, GTA, WS6 Trans-AM. I actually found out that some Z28's came with them also. So any of the above cars could have them.

Do a search, you'll find a tech article on this site that shows you how to tell the difference between the boxes. I think it's in the techarticles on the homepage of this site.

Check and see if there is a Z cast into the top of your steering box. My brothers 91 TBI RS has the quick ratio box from factory. I think that they may have put them in almost everything in the later years.

Ben

Could someone post a picture of what it looks like?

Im very sure my '83 HO Z28 has the quick ratio box... its 'touchy' hehe.

It should look exactly the same, its the gears inside that make the difference.

If you have 16 inch wheels and you want to know, just turn it from clear to one side all the way the other direction. It should be 2.25 turns. If it is 2.5 it is not the quick ratio box. I think that the cars with 15" wheels and quick ratio boxes will turn farther than 2.25 though.

Ben

If your car came with those 16" wheels factory installed your car should have the fast box, turn it lock to lock and it should be 2 1/4 turns.

lol

Has any one ever done this replacement before? How hard is it? What tools are needed? I have the part and my factory one is screwed up. So I am going to look at donig the replacement myself. I intend if possible to NEVER use a mechanic again. Except for warranty work on my daily driver.

It can be kind of a pain in the but but not to complicated. I swapped from the one for 15" wheels to the one with the wheel locks for 16" wheels. There are 3 bolts into it from the side. You have to get to them through the wheel well. I would use a half inch drive because they are pretty tight clear out, or at least were on mine. You also have to disconnect the lines from it which isnt very complicated. The steering shaft has a bolt holding it on then it slides(I use this term, but it can be harder than it sounds) out. You just then do the reverse. The hardest part for me was getting the steering shaft to "slide" back in. A friend to catch it when you are taking out the last bolt is nice because it weighs a bit.

Ben