steering questions
#447699
08/23/09 11:50 PM
08/23/09 11:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 115
Tampa, Florida
Road Ronin
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 115
Tampa, Florida
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Familiar territory, I'm sure, but just looked thru the archives and didn't find specific answers, so...  I'm re-thinking keeping the power steering in my Challenger. It'll be mostly street, but I would like to race it when possible. So of the manual boxes available, which are the best? And what else would I need to make the conversion? (I had manual steering on my '68 Coronet and never had a problem steering it, even with wide tires). Also, what exactly is "quick ratio" and is it desirable for a car that will see high speeds (not on the drag strip)? 20:1? 24:1? What do the ratios mean? I would think you'd want "slower" steering in a fast car. But does that automatically increase your steering radius to battleship proportions, or just mean you have to spin the wheel more to turn the same radius? Thanks, Moparts. 
Leslie will lose; your automobile will lose; I WILL WIN! I shall build the greatest automobile in the world and I will win! Fate the Magnificent! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
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Re: steering questions
[Re: Road Ronin]
#447700
08/24/09 12:52 AM
08/24/09 12:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,480
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,480
So Cal
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Quote:
Familiar territory, I'm sure, but just looked thru the archives and didn't find specific answers, so...
I'm re-thinking keeping the power steering in my Challenger. It'll be mostly street, but I would like to race it when possible. So of the manual boxes available, which are the best? And what else would I need to make the conversion? (I had manual steering on my '68 Coronet and never had a problem steering it, even with wide tires).
Also, what exactly is "quick ratio" and is it desirable for a car that will see high speeds (not on the drag strip)? 20:1? 24:1? What do the ratios mean?
I would think you'd want "slower" steering in a fast car. But does that automatically increase your steering radius to battleship proportions, or just mean you have to spin the wheel more to turn the same radius?
Thanks, Moparts.
On a very fast car slower steering it more desirable. But we're talking over 140 mph. And slower is relative. I think Dick Guldstrand had a special edition Vette he said he wanted to slow the steering down from the factory 12:1 or 14:1 because of the achivable 160 mph top speeds
For road course racing 20:1 or 16:1 is what mopar people are using. That all that is available.
Mopar power steering is 16:1. Mopar factory fast ratio power steering from a longer pitman arm is 12.7:1 Most new performance cars are 14:1 or so.
There's nothing wrong with power steering. Most modern sedan type race cars have power steering.
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Re: steering questions
[Re: autoxcuda]
#447701
08/27/09 03:54 PM
08/27/09 03:54 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 115
Tampa, Florida
Road Ronin
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 115
Tampa, Florida
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OK, let me refine my question: Of the 16:1 or 20:1 ratios, which one means less cranking of the steering wheel for the same turn radius? (And I'm curious where the #s come from, but I guess that's not crucial to understand). If I converted to manual steering, all I have to do is replace the steering box with a manual chuck and remove the pump? Or do I need a different steering column, etc? For that matter, if I keep power steering but want to change the chuck for a different ratio, is that just a straight swap or is there tweaking involved? Years ago, when Ehrenberg prepped a 340 Duster (I believe it was not the Green brick, which his team raced 6 years later)for the One Lap of America, he installed a "police firm-feel" steering chuck and apparently was fairly pleased with the results. Is this part still available? Is there something better now? Opinions? 
Leslie will lose; your automobile will lose; I WILL WIN! I shall build the greatest automobile in the world and I will win! Fate the Magnificent! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
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