Does anyone know of an A-body that has been converted to a rack and pinion and maintained the correct bump-steer, etc... I am looking to go to a rack and pinion set-up on a '67 chevelle and trying to find information on the modification or a kit? Do now want to do a mustang II changeover or other extreme chasis modification. I plan on using drum brake spindles with the 98+ f-body disc brake conversion, so interference with some of the parts may be tricky?

I remember seeing a post awhile back about a place
that was going to start making a R&P conversion kit.
It was on here somewhere, I can not remember the
companies name. Maybe you could find the post by
doing a search or someone else might know who it
was and post on here to let you know.
Sorry I could not be more help. :confused:

Thought I heard these guys were developing a rack for A-body cars.

http://www.steeroids.com/Products/STEEROIDS/steeroids.html

Thanks KAA,

I will contact them and try to get specifics. Even if they are developing a kit, it seems to be too expensive for me! Most kits are $995 and I would tackle the geometry calculations and hunt scrap yards before paying that much. I am looking for a retro-fit where someone has already figured out the correct geometry and found the proper system out of another vehicle. I don't mine cutting and welding a bit either.

I think you will have to knotch the frame, or place a hole in it, to attach the input shaft.

The crossmember is in the way. As it is now, the shaft barely clears the frame, and the steering box/pitman arm drop down a long way.

If the rack were high enough so the shaft would clear the frame, then it would hit the oilpan, and the tie-rods would be way off (incorrect geometry, bumpsteer, etc).

Hugh, When you ask for more Info from Steeroids.
Ask if they have a kit for a front steer car.
Ask to see some Pic's of the ground clearance of there bolt on unit installed. If you change to there rear steer unit, Do you need to relocate the oil filter? With all the A-Body cars, Why is it takeing so long to improve on the front steer set up? Can there unit be installed with the engine in the car or is that 3 to 5 hrs for a clean bare frame?

The Year One Chevelle has been outfitted with R&P steering. I wonder if they will make a kit avaliable.

http://www.yearone.com/enthusiast/articles/chevelle/chevelle.html

Andrew

I belive "66 283" has a rack and pinion setup.

Later
Steve

Why would you want to put rack and pinion on a chevelle. I am not trying to be argumentative, I would just like to know what end you are looking to acheive?

Speaking for myself, weight reduction (main reason) and trying to redistribute weight, better feel/feedback from the road, simplier steering setup . . . and yes I do have a quick ratio steering box in my car.

If I am not mistaken the nascar guys use a saginaw box that is really light weight.

As Andrew pointed out,
The Year One car uses a Rack and Pinion setup, but look at the picture here:

http://www.yearone.com/enthusiast/articles/chevelle/PageThree.html

You can see the big hole cut in the frame so the steering shaft can drop down to the box... I wouldn't mind doing that, but thats alot of work...

Does it really save that much weight for the expense? Why not custom fabricate a new front section for the frame to save more weight?

Anyone recognize the A/C and alt brackets on the Year One Chevelle?

I would love to get a R&P just for the improved feel. I have driven a bunch of cars with and without and the steering felt much better with R&P (on-center feel, response, bumpsteer, etc.)

I am sure a lot of it could be duplicated with a well designed recirc. ball setup, but I think R&P units are a better setup overall.

On that year on chevelle, it looks like they fabbed up a whole new frame from the firewall back. I wonder why they kept the stock forward frame section? Maybe they ARE going to offer a kit.

I sent an email to Year One asking if they were planning on marketing a rack & pinion conversion kit, their answer (unfortunately) was . . .

"Thanks for contacting Year One.

Due to the amount of fabrication involved, we do not currently have plans to offer a rack-and-pinion steering kit for A-bodies. On our
project car, we had to modify the front of the frame considerably to mount the rack and provide clearance for the steering shaft. We also had
to fabricate the tie-rod ends.

We converted the project car to a manual rack to save weight and improve steering response.

Thanks again for contacting Year One, and feel free to contact me with any further questions about the Chevelle.

-Keith Maney
Year One, Inc."

Bummer

My .02...

I've been looking at R&P for over 8 years, went so far as to get both a power and manual rack, trial fit tie rods, jigged the rack to the frame, figured out roughly how it would mount, designed brackets, bought some front end designing software to reduce bumpsteer...got sidetracked with my frame-off...

Then found out Steeroids is making a kit, supposedly available latter '03. I have much better things to do than design my own kit and re-rebuild my own rack, and still run the risk of bumpsteer problems.

After a few dozen hours jerking around with this off and on, I'm gonna buy the kit as soon as it's available ;)

As far as those who would question the value of R&P conversion...they've never driven a 'tight' high powered 2-ton vehicle. I've tried everything for the front end of my '69...it never drives the same after it gets a few hundred miles on it and things start to loosen up. R&P's the way for me.

Anybody for a group purchase inquiry on Steeroids?

JR

I would not hold my breath on steeroids.

I emailed them about 2 1/2 years ago asking the same thing and they said "in about 6 months".

I don't know if they ran into problems, or if they are just taking there time.

I also read a post that the camaro steeroids product had a lot of bump steer, so I would not want to be one of the first to buy the chevelle model (if it ever ships).

Last time I surfed past Steeroids website there was no mention of a R&P setup for Chevelles "Coming in the Fall of 2003". Based on that, I would agree with Charles, don't hold your breath for Steeroids.