My 56 chevy truck has a 1980 camaro front clip with power steering and I an kinda thinking I want to go the minimalist route and eliminate stuff that can break or go out .I was wanting to take the power steering off cause it already needs to be rebuilt .I see that Borgeson makes a conversion kit for it .Has anyone done or used this with any good results ?Is it a difficult thing to swap out ?Can I use my existing after market linkage bar?
$500 kit? used to be we'd just scrounge a manual box and pitman arm, and put it on. I guess you can't find them any more, eh? It would cost a lot less than that to put in a rebuilt power box. I think the 1980 power input spline is the same as the manual spline, but you'd need to double check. They changed the size some time around then, but I forget when. Used to be the power boxes had a larger spline on the input shaft, than the manual boxes.
Yeah seems a bit much but if its a easy swap it be worth it .Is it a simple take out and put in procedure ?
If you don't WANT power steering...then change it....but P/S is one of the most reliable components in any car, especially the integral box type...maybe not so much the R&P and slave cylinder type. I'd be looking for the fast ratio power box, used in GM performance cars, like Trans Am's etc., around 12 to 1 ratio. Has good feel and goes where you point it with less steering wheel rotation. Your car, your call.
You can do a straight swap with an equivalent manual box, just make sure you take the pitman arm as well. Personally I'd be following Hnstray's advice and either looking for the 12.7:1 600 series power steering box out of a 3rd gen Iroc or going aftermarket (lots of options for less than that borgeson setup). Pretty good article here http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0901_gm_steering_box_upgrade/viewall.html
The pitman splines on the power box should be bigger than the manual. I've been driving a 59 chevy truck with stock suspension and steering for decades. When I got my 57 suburban going last year, with a Camaro clip and power steering, I wondered why I keep driving the old truck with manual steering. I love the power. No way would I take the power box off the Suburban. but then again, I also enjoy my original old truck, since I've been driving it forever.
There are also variations in length and shape so gotta be careful your pitman arm matches when you start swapping stuff. Couple of pretty detailed Camaro threads here if you're interested: http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179672 http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179672
Try pricing a manual box and pitman arm from the usual parts stores (Rockauto, NAPA etc). Don't forget the idler arm, they are shorter too. You might get lucky and find a manual box in a junk yard but chances are it will be worn out.
The Jalopy Journal
