Steering Box Ratio

[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....

[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!!

[Hotchkis]

Originally Posted by 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....

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]

Originally Posted by BBC71Nova

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.