OK,

Been researching this alot and have decided to go with a CARDONE 276550 box, order the fittings and new coupler from Lee manufacturing, and the MOOG K6582 LONG pitman arm. From what I read this seems to be the cheapest way to get a new sports car fast ratio AND the better feel in the steering.

Questions I have are
1. Can I use the original power steering pump and hoses? If not which ones do I need?

2. If I go with the longer pitman arm do I have to change the idler arm or other suspension parts to match it?(I originally had the short arm)

3. Were there any clearance issues with headers that I need to worry about?(longer arm effect or box size)

Any pros or cons that anyone has experienced would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Mark

good questions... I did this swap last spring, and here's my answers:

1: YES

2: NO, but you may not need / want the longer arm. I used what the parts store book pulled up as the standard pitman for my appl, and the steering is plenty fast.

3: The new box is exactly the same dimensions as the original power box, if you have no issues now, you won't after, either.

Pros & cons: As far as the operation of the unit, and the feels of the steering, all pro without a doubt.

As far as the swap, recent posts give some weatherhead fitting part numbers to adapt the american thread hoses to the metric box. If this info had been available last year, I would have used them. The Lee adapters are little alluminum peices that you hammer into the box fittings. They change the flare from "inverted" to normal. you are still left with screwing a US thread fitting into a metric thread hole. While it's close enuf to work, thoat first turn or two is scary.

Hello Jim,

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. I am gonna do this swap. Makes the most sense to me. You said that there are some WEATHERHEAD PART numbers for this swap? Do you know what they are? Does it eliminate the need to force american threads into the metric fittings?

These are the part numbers:

Weatherhead #1446: 3/8" is 5/8 18 - 16x1.5
Weatherhead #1447: 3/8" is 5/8 18 - 18x1.5

that are in this post (and others) :
http://www.camaros.net/forum/ultimatebb.php/topic/7/7660.html

From what I understand, these fitting are designed to adapt the metric inverted flare on the box to the standard flare us thread fitting on the original hoses, eliminating the need to pray the fittings together. I've never seen them, but I imagine they stick up a bit.

The Lee fittings, once it's together, you cannot tell anything non-original is happening. If you use the Lee inserts, I recommened starting the hose fittings in the box once before you install the box, so the threads can "get aquainted" somewhere you have room to work and swing a wrench. I like the setup with the Lee inserts just fine, but I did destroy a new hose the first time I tried to thread it on, in the car. There's just no room, and these pressure hoses are very stiff when they're new. The second try, on the bench, it went right on, and after that I had no trouble installing the hose with the box in the car.

THANKS JIM,

Sorry one more question. Do I need to redrill the holes on the steering column or will the original holes be fine. If so do you know the size they need to be drilled to? Just want to cover all of the details best I can. Also, what power steering fluid do I use. Is it different for the newer type box than stock?

Mark

lol, you're too fast, Mark. I was editing my original post with more info while you were typing your reply.

As far as the column goes, it is a total bolt-on. The Lee ragjoint fits perfectly on both the box and the column.

You will need to loosen the column and pull it out a couple inches for clearance. I didn't have to loosen or remove my Hooker Comp header, but some with other brands have.

On my car, there was a non original brake line passing between the steering box and the pitman arm, which I was able to bend out of the way. I had to remove the old pitman arm before the old box would come out, because of the brake line.

Thanks Jim,

I only wish my automotive skills were as fast as my typing LOL.

Thanks Again

TOOFUN
MARK

Hey Jim,

DO you know where you got your power steering box? I tried calling several places including parts america and rock auto and neither of them have this CARDONE 276550 PART? Am I missing something?

Mark

Here is another good post, with part numbers.

http://www.camaros.net/forum/ultimatebb.php/topic/7/7325.html#000000

As far as the rag joint coupler. How is the Lee's 3rd gen conversion coupler different then a typical p/s conversion coupler? Does the 3rd gen box have differnt spline count or something?

Mark -

Rock Auto definitely still has that box; I just got mine from there a month or so ago. I just checked their website, and they show it at $116.99, plus a $25 core charge.

The coupler spline on the 3rd gen box is different, and there is a GM coupler (van) that works, but the Lee kit is cheaper than just the coupler from GM. The Lee coupler is very nice.

interesting... one of my posts seems to be missing.

As auto parts stores like "model, make, & Year" what you're looking for could be:

1987 camaro V8-5.0 mfi, w/sport suspension

When I run that thru rockauto, it comes up with the right box.

As far as the ragjoint, the third gen box output shaft is smaller than a first gen power steering box. A stock early rag won't fit. I've heard there is an application where if you know what to ask for you can get the right one from a parts store, but as mine is done (with Lee stuf) I didn't note it.