On my 67 I have a stock style quick ratio steering box which has only about 600 miles on it but I am considering a change to a stock box with the Iroc internals. The steering is a little to easy for me right now. I have a Flaming River column which has the u joint instead of the rag joint. How much of a job is it to change boxes if I stay with a stock style box which will allow the reuse of my pitman etc. The car is completely assembled now and just unsure if it is worth it if half the car has to be tore apart to do it. I think that a change of the box would give the car a alot better feel. Any opinions appreciated. By the way it is a power box with a BB.

1st, I ordered my car w/ the optional fast ratio, manual steering gearbox. Does your car have a 5.75" to 5.875" long pitman arm and the SHORT bolt-on spindle arms??

B/C if it doesn't, it's not stock, quick ratio'd! And my s/g/b turns 3.5 turns lock to lock at the A-arm stops! I could turn a 90 degree corner in one complete turn of my steering wheel.

Imho, anything faster than mine stock would be too fast for me..

As for rag/u-joints, install a rag-joint that has a screen wire re-enforced rubber washer in it and go. Mine's so stiff that it is like it's made out of a steel-belted radial tire tread!! But watch the little-bitty screen wire ends around it b/c the suckers are like needles! I used my bench grinder to grind them off smooth!

pdq67

The stiff feel is pretty much a must these days. You can have your box re-valved and keep the input shaft size you have. Or you can buy a fresh box with the correct shaft. AGR, and many others sell them. There is also the new 670 box which is supposed to have improved valving, but the ports and shaft are different.
David

How much of a pain is it to change the box with the car assembled?

Not bad on a small block car, don't know about a big block. A lot depends on your header clearance.
David

I had to R&R the box in my car for some reason, and I had to have the driver side manifold loose to do it. I had the manifold screws backed out about half way, and with the exhaust dropped, I could angle the manifold just enough and wire it back out of the way to get the box out of there.

Better valving via a later model replacement box or a reworked OE box is the way to go. No more pinky steer!

big block isnt to bad, you'll probably have to take it out from the bottom though. i took mine out from the bottom and didnt have to unbolt anything but the box and the rag joint. i run hooker header though so a different brand would probably make a difference as the fit is tight.

I see that NPD sells a stock box with Iroc internals for 219.00. That would be a direct bolt in I am assuming since I already have a stock box. The only catch is the 125.00 core charge. I hate to send in my basically new box for a core. I see the one on Ebay doesnt have a core charge but it mentions a 2.25 lock to lock which seems incorrect. I thought it was supposed to be 2.5. 12.7 ratio was mentioned which i guess would put it in the right range.

What front tires do you have on it??

I ask b/c when I went E-60/14 and 14" x 7" wide Fenton slotted mag rims w/ 3.5" b/s, it became a bear to parallel park b/c of manual steering!

pdq67

I think the NPD quick ratio box with IROC internals might be the Lares 972 box...

What is the story on the Lares 972? Is it the stock box with new Iroc internals or just a stock fast ratio like the one I have?

I see the Lares box is a reman with the Iroc internals. Are they available locally at auto Zone etc. or only through Lares on Ebay or direct?

Have you read this thread?
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103139

I bought my Lares 972 box at a local Advance Auto. I gave them my original box for core.

I have been trying to buy one from Advance Auto for two months now and they keep saying there are none available. Why they still list them for sale I do not know. If any one has a way to getting one of the Lares 972 boxes I am all ears. I know I can get one on Epay but it is over 300.00 with shipping etc.

I have been trying to buy one from Advance Auto for two months now and they keep saying there are none available. Why they still list them for sale I do not know. If any one has a way to getting one of the Lares 972 boxes I am all ears. I know I can get one on Epay but it is over 300.00 with shipping etc.

I had one made up with 86 style internals ( its mostly the spool valve that makes the difference there) Shop just outside midway airport. Midwest remanufacturing 5836 w. 66th Chicago 708-4969100 Tim
I was very very happy with this box.
Brian

See if Speedway Motors out in NE doesn't still sell rebuilt p/s/b's??

I bought mine years ago off them, no core charge and it was, I think, a rebuilt by Durex.

Great buy, by me back then.. It's on my car now.

pdq67

I ordered one from NPD. 219.95 plus core and shipping. At least it was available and like everything else on the car the prices hurt for a while but time heals all wounds.;) Just a shame to trade a basically new box for a core charge. If someone could use my box and has a old one for my exchange let me know.

Just an update on the NPD fast ratio steering box. The box advertised from them as having the Iroc internals did turn out to be the Lares 972 box. I had to order a different steering joint to fit my Flaming River steering column as the input shaft was smaller on the new box. It is so much nicer than the old style fast ratio box in the feeling of the steering. Much firmer and not so hair raising on the highway. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a reasonable alternative to the more expensive boxes on the market.