Dumb question. 12:1 ratio is quicker than 16:1 correct?
Also, anyone have experience with variable ratio PS?

A steering ratio is the number of degrees that you turn the steering gear input shaft (steering wheel) compared to the number of degrees that the steering gear output shaft (pitman shaft) rotates.

So with a 12:1 ratio you turn the steering wheel 12 degrees for 1 degree of pitman shaft rotation.

With a 16:1 ratio you now have to turn the steering wheel 16 degrees for 1 degree of output.

The Saginaw variable ratio gears were typically 16:1 on center and then had a much faster 12:1 ratio near full lock. A variable ratio gear will have less turns full lock to full lock than 16:1 straight ratio gear. But a variable ratio gear will be quite slow on center.

A few people have not been satisfied with the 12.7:1 straight ratio gear because if is too quick on center. They feel that it is too responsive. They might be happier with a 14:1 straight ratio gear. Most people feel that 16:1 is too slow of a ratio on center.

IMHO 16:1 variable ratio is great ! I tried my AGR 12:1 box and it was much to sensitive. I had AGR change it to 16:1 variable. I have been told that this is the same gear as used in the 3rd gen IROC boxes that everyone seems to swap in.

There is a thread about a month ago where ppl diduss the pros and cons, opinions of diff ratios
Personally I like the 2 1/4 lock to lock

O.K. I am pulling this thread back up instead of starting a new one.

My wife's new BMW X3 has a 8.19:1 . It is a twitchy little bi__h! But the thing handles better than any SUV I have ever been in-Porsche included (and in Reno EVERY family has a SUV).

If I can handle this quick of a ratio, should I just go with the 12:1 AGR instead of the slower one?

As always --> Thanks!

Two different worlds. BMW definitely has a variable ratio rack and pinion. It is possibly computer controlled like on my 545i.

I ordered my car with the optional, fast ratio non-power steering ratio. I had the long pitman arm and short bolt-on spindle arms.

I could turn a 90 degree corner with a full turn of my steering wheel if this helps??

It was a real bear to parallel park tho with bigger front tires and deep dish chrome reverse rims on it!!

pdq67

PS., and it turned "a-arm stop to a-arm stop" in three turns, (maybe 3.5 turns??, I forget now).

I had a 75 Monte Carlo with the GM Saginaw variable ratio power steering. As JimL82 said, it is quite slow on center, and speeds up considerably near full lock, was very helpful parking that big beast.

My current IROC box is NOT a variable ratio box.
Remember also that we can (as chevy did back then) juggle the effective ratio by changing arm lengths in the linkage. IMHO the 12:1 IROC box combined with the "fastest avaialble" steering arms would be "too twitchy" in our cars, but with the medium or slow arms it is quite nice.