[Ltlgto]

I recently bought a 31' Coupe project. It came with a Corvair Reversed steering box, but I've heard that they produce loose steering. I am considering going to a Vega box for cross-steering instead. Any comments on either of these steering boxes and which way to go?

I found the Speedway Vega Steering Box for $199.

[techron]

Originally Posted by Ltlgto

I recently bought a 31' Coupe project. It came with a Corvair Reversed steering box, but I've heard that they produce loose steering. I am considering going to a Vega box for cross-steering instead. Any comments on either of these steering boxes and which way to go?

I found the Speedway Vega Steering Box for $199.

i've never heard that about reversed corvair boxes. i built a reversed corvair box for one of my cars and the steering has always been tight (tight as in no play--not hard to turn) a corvair box will be just as tight as any other recirculating ball steering box.

edit--as long as it is adjusted correctly.

[powerrodsmike]

I have been hearing from several sources that the aftermarket vega boxes are not as good as the originals, the local rebuilder won't rebuild them at all.

They are still worlds better than the Corvair boxes. I would not use a corvair box in any new build. With their aluminum case they are not very strong, and the turning radius they provide is small..

Later, mikey

[Centerline]

I'm using a GM small manual box in my deuce. Mounts the same as the Vega unit and is pretty much the same size just a bit heavier. Picked it up at a swap meet for $15.

Here's a Vega box...



And here's a Nova box....



As you can see the only real difference is the length of the input shaft (its about 6") which in most cases shouldn't be a problem.

[Ltlgto]

powerrodsmike, the new Corvair boxes are steel instead of aluminum like the originals. I don't know about trying to find an original vega box? Flaming Rivers new vega boxes run $319.

techron, I think I mis-stated what I've heard. the reversed Corvair boxes cause a lot of bump-steer.

The PITA is the Corvair box and steering arm were already mounted before I bought the car. I only need the drag link. I'm not that knowledgable about steering/suspension, but some of the local hot rodders are telling me to ditch it and go to cross-steer.

[Ltlgto]

centerline, do you have cross steering or traditional steering?

[techron]

ltlgto, bump steer doesn't come from the box-it has to do with the steering linkage. the relationship of the of the upper/lower control arm pivot points and the pivot points of the steering linkage is what determinse toe in/out which is what bump steer is.

MIKEY--mikey is right, my reversed corvair steering box is OEM. i would never put it on a lead sled (heavy car) i would never use an aftermarket box. but the origonal aluminum corvair box works great on a light car. and mikey, you can vary the ratio by changing the length of the steering arm on the front axel.

the nice thing about the reversed corvair box is that you can mount on top of the frame and everytthing lines up-pitman arm/ steering shaft
not a good pic, but you can see the reversed corvair steering box at the bottom of the pic. i just made the steering linkage as long as the radius rods, thus no bunpsteer. they both pivot at the same angle and the same lenght/plane--thus NO bumpsteer...

[powerrodsmike]

Originally Posted by Ltlgto

powerrodsmike, the new Corvair boxes are steel instead of aluminum like the originals. I don't know about trying to find an original vega box? Flaming Rivers new vega boxes run $319.

techron, I think I mis-stated what I've heard. the reversed Corvair boxes cause a lot of bump-steer.

The PITA is the Corvair box and steering arm were already mounted before I bought the car. I only need the drag link. I'm not that knowledgable about steering/suspension, but some of the local hot rodders are telling me to ditch it and go to cross-steer.

You did not say you had a reproduction corvair box, so I assumed it was an original ...those new steel ones may very well get loose after a while, We are seeing more aftermarket steering boxes get loose because even though they are made from steel, the internals are not hardened as good as the saginaws are.

The 525 box like Centerline uses is a good one for manual steering in a moderately heavy car.

Like many others, I like cross steering, the vega or 525 steering box is able to be mounted in a much better place to keep the column out from under your feet while driving.

The corvair box needs to have a fairly steep stereing column angle in order to hook it all up..

It also keeps the outside of the car looking cleaner, without the extra linkage.

Later, mikey

[Deuce]

A Corvair box ... was designed for a light, rear engine car. A car without very much weight on the front wheels. Mustang and Vega steering boxes came out in production after the Corvairs and are designed for heavier vehicles with engines in the front of the vehicle. They are much better boxes for a 2200 lbs. and up vehicle IMHO.

I have a original GM made Vega box in my 32 Ford roadster. I have driven it 50 plus thousand miles and the Vega box works great. It is set up in a cross steer method. On my current project, I went with the newer style Uni-Steer rack ... a unit designed especially for early hot rods with engines in the front.





It is a half rack, in reality. I like it and the way it drives.
Go here ... for their internet page

http://www.unisteer.com/mm5/merchant..._Code=UNISTEER

[Centerline]

Originally Posted by Ltlgto

centerline, do you have cross steering or traditional steering?

I'm using cross steering. Here's a shot of the GM box installed.




The chassis is now off the frame table and the front end is installed. Will be removing the front end (7 bolts) next week and flipping the frame over to finish some welding that I couldn't reach on the frame table. Then its on to narrowing the Ford 9".