Using a manual steering box for a race only setup
 

Hey guys, got a 2nd gen camaro front subframe in my Rolls Royce race car and wanted to ditch the hyd power steering pump.

I started looking into electric assist on the steering column and realized I would still have to address the steering box, I could either plug the ports and not run a pump or get a manual box. Then I got thinking into running a manual only box. I am new to racing so, not sure if that's even an option.

I have never used a manual steering box racing before, but I really like the idea of simplicity, less parts, lighter, more reliable, etc.

The car races in a 24 hour endurance race so reliability is really important.

The last race I lost power steering and the car was really hard to steer, want to avoid something like that from happening again.

Is running a manual box even worth considering? (I do have a small 13" steering wheel)

The manual box’s are a lot slower, either 4 or 4.5 turns lock to lock if I remember right.

Is it better to have a 12.7:1 or a 16:1 ratio box on the track?

I’d be concerned about wearing out your drivers in an endurance setting. Manual boxes aren’t as bad at speed, but I would think with wide front tires and hours long stints, you’ll get “arm pump” pretty bad, to use a motocross term.

I had a Remy Racing manual box on my car and found the it pretty tiring on the canyon runs I did. This was 7 years ago in my late twenties when I still had “hockey strength”.

some manual first gen Camaros have 6 turns lock to lock. you don't want to be turning your steering wheel a complete revolution to enter a turn on a road course.

You don't want to just plug the power steering box. The piston inside will make it very hard to steer. At least make a loop of hose from inlet to outlet & remove some of the oil. The stock box is probably 17:1 ratio, but there are two lengths of pitman arms and three lengths of outer steering arms on the spindle that determine the overall ratio.



There is a 16:1 manual box available. https://www.rickscamaros.com/camaro-...1967-1969.html


There may be faster ratio manual boxes available around 14:1.


The stock power steering isn't hard to keep alive, the main thing is to use a cooler in the return line.

Check out DCE Motorsport for race oriented EPAS systems.

http://www.dcemotorsport.com/Home/EPAS

Andrew

We run a friends fairly light V8 Opel in WRL with factory manual steering and 255 200TW tires. The car has to be man handled for sure and wears your out after a 2 hour stint. I assume the Rolls would be a much heavier car and necessitate much more steering effort with a manual box. Without knowing your car I'd still recommend sorting out the PS. From my experience comfort is pretty important when running endurance stuff