Steering Box Ratio
 

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!

12.7 :1

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

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

good for everything.
auto X road race, parking lots

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

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/_uploaded_fi...2promo_pic.jpg

And now your totally confused!! :willy:

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

:thumbsup:

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

I'm starting to get it now. :D

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.

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:

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:

GregWeld,

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

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

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

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.

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.

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