right now i have 2 thirdgens. my daily driver is an 87 camaro sc (v6), and my toy/project is an 85 trans am. the trans am doesn't have an engine right now cuz im rebuilding it (350, 4 bolt main, thinking about stroking ot 383) so its just sitting in my yard doing noting til spring. my question is, is there a difference in the ratios in the two steering gearboxes? im thinking about putting the trans am box in the camaro for now if it will give me quicker steering, but if it wont change much, im not gonna bother. can anyone give me some advice?
btw, the trans am isnt a WS6

 

CG87,

I wish I had a definitive answer, but I don't. I know that some of the second gen 'F' cars had a variable ratio, variable assist gearbox, whereas the standard models had the straight power gearbox. '73 Trans Am boxes were sought after for the tighter feel for several years.

I have noticed that some of the ThirdGen cars appear to have a longer pitman arm than others, but I've never put them side by side or measured. I do know that the idler on a WS6 car is different than a standard 'F' car (since I've had to replace one at 20,000 miles). This may indicate a difference in the pitman arm as well, or just a difference in the mounting to accomodate the suspension differences. I dunno, maybe it's just a myth.

Anyone else? You may actually have better luck on the Suspension Board, where the Sultans of Spring and Gurus of Gas Shocks reside...

 

There should be a two letter code (i.e. WS, HX) stamped on the steering box top and endcap. If the TA IS stamped with one of these three codes and the Camaro is not, then swap 'em. These are the Model 800 "high performance" application boxes with 14:1 ratio.

WS - '82 and up, performance suspension, 15" wheels
HX - '85 and up, performance suspension (including FE2), 16" wheels

You can also use a YA box from an 84 and up Monte SS application.