Power Steering: AGR vs Lee, 670 vs 800, 69 BBC Camaro, Review

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by chr2002ca

I'm running a stock style Saginaw P style pump that I purchased from Summit(#SUM340103). It's a basic pump, nothing special. I asked Lee to rebuild to match the new box and to rebuild it so that it would take some occasional racing. So it's slightly lower pressure at low RPM which causes a little more effort in steering, but hopefully that saves me from having too much pressure at high RPM. I don't get over 5800RPMs so I'm not stressing the pump too much like some folks might.

I've talked with people that have had good luck with AGR and talked with people that had the same experience I did, so I think it's a bit random. Honestly, I don't think there should be that much randomness for that kind of money. When I spoke with Lee, they actually had a good explanation for why that randomness might occur with other vendors and it's why they completely disassemble and rebuild each unit they get from GM. Who knows, maybe a 4th try with AGR would've worked out, but it's such a pain in the arse for me to remove that box so I just wanted to try something new that might eliminate 'chance'. Each person I talked to that used Lee was very happy, so I gave them a shot. Now, if the Lee box blows out at RTTC, I'm going yank the whole steering system and just tie 2 ropes to the steering knuckles and go that route.

Thanks for the reply Chris. Since I have the AGR 12:1 box I think I'll try matching it with their upgraded pump. We'll know soon enough how it works!

Personally, I like Fumigator for your car name.

[ProTouring442]

I am a bit confused as to the need to have the pump"re-valved" to "match" the box. All of the effort valving is contained in the box, the only thing in the pump is the high-pressure bypass and any lowering of that value can cause a lack of assist when assist is most needed.

Or am I not understanding things here?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by ProTouring442

I am a bit confused as to the need to have the pump"re-valved" to "match" the box. All of the effort valving is contained in the box, the only thing in the pump is the high-pressure bypass and any lowering of that value can cause a lack of assist when assist is most needed.

Or am I not understanding things here?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Bill -- Don't try to use a Chevy pump on a Ford rack.....

That's what's being changed -- the orifice in the pump on a Chevy is too large for the Ford rack...

Not sure what is what on these boxes and pumps being discussed in this thread - but obviously there is a mis-match that has to be "adjusted".

[Blake Foster]

you can effect the "FEEL" of the steering by playing with the flow valve. if the flow is too hight the steering will be really twitchy.
if you restrict the flow you can firm up the feel of the steering. it is especially easy to do with the TC serice pumps that come on the LS motors as the valve is rigth on top and easy to access and lots of companies have different orifice sized valves.

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by killer69

you can effect the "FEEL" of the steering by playing with the flow valve. if the flow is too high the steering will be really twitchy.
if you restrict the flow you can firm up the feel of the steering. it is especially easy to do with the TC series pumps that come on the LS motors as the valve is right on top and easy to access and lots of companies have different orifice sized valves.

Hmmm... but "twitchiness" should be a function of the torsion valve, yes? Any unused volume should be dumped by the pressure relief valve...

I am still confused I think...

great, now I'm confused about being confused!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Blake Foster]

So what your saying is your totally confused???

ok i'm no power steering pump box "expert" but Tom Lee is, i have spent some time talkin......... no wait listening to Tom. most of the conversations i'm done about 4 minutes in but this guy knows what he is talking about, and what i got was the new TC pumps that GM uses and he also blueprints and flow tests are a high volume pump. the boxes are designed for a low volume pump like the original pump. and you can taylor the feel when using a TC pump by changing the flow valves. this is not to say the torsion bar and the way they blueprint the torsion bar doesn't have a major effect on the FEEL as well.

pretty sure i got that right. ???

[GregWeld]

I found the solution to all the power steering issues!

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by killer69

So what your saying is your totally confused???

ok i'm no power steering pump box "expert" but Tom Lee is, i have spent some time talkin......... no wait listening to Tom. most of the conversations i'm done about 4 minutes in but this guy knows what he is talking about, and what i got was the new TC pumps that GM uses and he also blueprints and flow tests are a high volume pump. the boxes are designed for a low volume pump like the original pump. and you can taylor the feel when using a TC pump by changing the flow valves. this is not to say the torsion bar and the way they blueprint the torsion bar doesn't have a major effect on the FEEL as well.

pretty sure i got that right. ???

OK, cool... now I understand! Thanks for taking the time to get the straight dope!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill