Steering Box Ratio

[mrr1999]

Hey guys-

I'm finally getting around to putting my 69 Camaro together and I am looking for a better steering box. Aside from deciding who to get it from, I am a little stumped on which ratio to go with. The car has a full Hotchkis TVS suspension and a 454. This will be strictly a street car, so no track time in the foreseeable future.

What is the best ratio to get for a tight, modern feel without over-steer? Thanks!

[Blake Foster]

12.7 :1

[mrr1999]

Thanks, Blake. Is that good for freeway driving, too?

[XcYZ]

I agree with Blake. I had a 12.7:1 box in my car, thought it was great, no complaints.

[Blake Foster]

good for everything.
auto X road race, parking lots

[GregWeld]

Hey guys-

I'm finally getting around to putting my 69 Camaro together and I am looking for a better steering box. Aside from deciding who to get it from, I am a little stumped on which ratio to go with. The car has a full Hotchkis TVS suspension and a 454. This will be strictly a street car, so no track time in the foreseeable future.

What is the best ratio to get for a tight, modern feel without over-steer? Thanks!


AGR recommended a 15:1 rack for the street when building my Nomad and for the '55 Post car.

[Hotchkis]

Choice of steering ratio is more of a preference of the driver and how you’re going to drive your car. Boxes with 12.7:1 ratio are great for a car that’s going to see a lot of autocross time and some road course time. It’s a little much if you’re going to spend lots of time on the street and especially the freeway with a vehicle like the first gen Camaro with more bump steer that will require more steering input with the tighter 12.7:1 ratio. The typical first gen Camaro box (16:1) requires a lot of steering input in order to maneuver the car. A happy medium is a 14:1 steering box. It’s not so low that your car will over-react to steering input on the freeway and you’ll get ample control of the steering when you want to have fun at an autocross. That’s why we offer a performance 14:1 steering box on Hotchkis.net (http://www.hotchkis.net)

http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploaded_files/gm_500_series_steering_boxproducts542promo_pic.jpg (http://www.hotchkis.net/gm_500_series_steering_box.html)

[Blake Foster]

And now your totally confused!! :willy:

i say flip a coin. best 2 out of 3 wins.

:thumbsup:

[mrr1999]

Haha. So....if I build myself a 13.35 ratio everybody should be happy.

I'm starting to get it now. :D

[JKnight]

I do find that my 12.7:1 is a bit quick for my preferences. But the Lee steering feel is really good overall, so not worth changing. I've been thinking of going to a bit bigger steering wheel to offset some of the sensitivity.

[GregWeld]

I'm glad Hotchkiss stepped in here and said what I was going to -- I was trying to sit the fence and not go against some of the other "advice". Our highways have too many ruts in them to make a nice driver out of a super quick steering rack and fat tired front tires.

If you don't drive it much - then the trade off might suit you... but it wouldn't go on any of my cars.

Remember -- PT -- is not "race car" -- it's a very capable STREET car... that does more things well but not all things perfectly. A race car is a race car.. a drag car is a drag car... they both suck to drive on the street. Big azz cams are fun -- right up until the time you have to drive 'em.... :willy: :D :cheers:

[Blake Foster]

we have both available 14:1 and 12.7:1 99% of people ask for the 12.7 i have yet to hear a complaint.

either way it will be a major improvement over stock!!

:thumbsup:

[Hotchkis]

I'm glad Hotchkiss stepped in here and said what I was going to -- I was trying to sit the fence and not go against some of the other "advice". Our highways have too many ruts in them to make a nice driver out of a super quick steering rack and fat tired front tires.

If you don't drive it much - then the trade off might suit you... but it wouldn't go on any of my cars.

Remember -- PT -- is not "race car" -- it's a very capable STREET car... that does more things well but not all things perfectly. A race car is a race car.. a drag car is a drag car... they both suck to drive on the street. Big azz cams are fun -- right up until the time you have to drive 'em.... :willy: :D :cheers:

GregWeld,

Well put. We hope all this information helps enthusiasts can make an educated selection.

[BBC71Nova]

Can you get a Lee 600 series box with something other than the 12.x ratio?

[David Pozzi]

There are two lengths of pitman arms available & three different outer steering arms that all affect overall steering ratio. If you have the long 5.75" pitman & short 5.25" outer arms, your steering lock to lock is going to be close to 2 turns & very quick. If you have a small steering wheel, it can be too quick, with a 14 or 15" wheel it's fine. You can always swap to the short 5.25" pitman to slow it down. The 14 to 1 would be a very good choice if you have the long pitman & short outer arms, & it's a street driver. You MUST be sure to get a box with firm valving or it won't feel good. In addition use updated high caster alignment specs to help the car track down the road better.
David

[wmhjr]

FWIW, I'm running a '66 GTO (A-Body) with the Lee 670 box, all the SC&C goodies, and 245 NT05s up front on 18" wheels. It's not an F-body, so obviously there will be differences. That being said, I've driven the car on highways, back roads, pretty much any kind of road surface you can think of and I would NOT change a thing. I -as well as anyone else who has driven the car walk away thorougly impressed at both the responsiveness combined with the good manners the steering displays.

[mrr1999]

Will the firmness change depending on what ratio you are running? Will two boxes, one 12.7 and one 14 from the same manufacturer have the same firm feel? I know responsiveness will be different - obviously.

[Blake Foster]

Can you get a Lee 600 series box with something other than the 12.x ratio?

yes 14:1 is also avaliable , just a longer wait to assemble as some of the parts are harder to find??? according to LEE.