I bought a replacement steering box for my 89 Formula. As far as I know, I got the short ratio box. (PN SG16561 from Fenco/Fenwick Automotive). It's 2.5 turns lock to lock, same as the box I had before. (The other box they offered was 2.5-3 or something like that.)

With this new box, it takes no effort to turn the car. My older box was much stiffer.

Did I get a bad box? Or was the stiffness just from my old box being old? Has anyone else experienced this when they replaced their box?

 

Wasn't the quick-ratio box 2.25 turns lock-to-lock?

 

When I order the part.. there were to options.. the regular one.. which they gave a range for the lock to lock... some where around 3, and one for the "sport suspension" which the range was 2-2.5 turns lock to lock. I've emailed them as well and they confirmed what I have was the short ratio box. Also, I'm pretty sure it's the same lock to lock as my old box, which I assume hadn't been replaced before. At any rate, my old box was still much stiffer than this one.

 

i had the same problem with a parts store box, they usually do a shoddy job rebuilding them and don't understand anything performance. My first one was undrivable, the second i thought was good until i drive my brothers car with the factory box and realized the 2nd one was also overboosted. Take it back. You will probably be happier with a Lee unit or AGR. I am planning to upgrade to one of those over the summer ( i havent investigated yet, but i would like to send my OEM unit to lee manufacturing)

 

I have seen two numbers quoted in tech specs for GTA's: 2.26 and 2.4.

-Schultzy