My power steering pump died last week and brought attention to a larger problem. My steering box has leaked fluid out the shaft seal for awhile, one of those things I meant to get to but haven't yet. I don't know if this is the original box or not, but now I'm thinking...do I rebuild, replace with OE/reman part or replace with one of the newer fast or var ratio units on the market? I have read/heard that there is some unhappiness with the fast ratio units on the highway, so is the variable ratio the way to go? Looking for an education on what box/pump combo is going to give me the best drivability, also if I upgrade do I then need to change out other parts as well? Car is stock suspension with 60 series Radial T/A's on 15 in. Rally wheels.

I replace my original PS box with a Lares 972 fast ratio box I bought at Advance Auto. It is an original box that specs IROC internals for a firmer feel than the original box had. I'm happy so far. I think National Parts Depot sells them also.

If you have the short 5.25" pitman arm and long 5.75" outer steering arms, your installed ratio will be slower, the fast box won't be all that fast.
If you have the 5.7" pitman, and short outer arms 5.25", then a 14 to 1 box ratio would be good if you are worried about it being too fast. I've driven that combo and it isn't too fast for me, but I have heard complaints about it from others.

The most important thing is to get the stiff valving, fast ratio without the high feedback valve is terrible.

I don't like the variable ratio, I like a constant ratio, it's more predictable. Var ratio was trying to make up for lack of feel on-center. Now that they have higher effort valves, the constant ratio is the way to go in my opinion.
David

Thanks David. I will measure both arms and let you know what I have, then appreciate your advice from there on which way to go. Is there a pump that is better than others or are they all about the same?