Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/27/11 8:28am Message 1 of 18

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Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1755

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

I just ordered a Bogenson kit to replace my worn out, leaking, and sloppy power steering system.

It should be here on Friday so I hope to install it Saturday. I removed the old system this morning.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/27/11 10:05am Message 2 of 18

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Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Joined: 11/8/2003

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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

I'm curious to see how well this set-up works, as I'm sure others are. Also makes ya wonder why it wasn't designed like that to begin with.
Take lots-o-pics, Brian!! Thumbs Up

Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/27/11 12:19pm Message 3 of 18

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The Rook

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Pittsburgh, PA - USA

Joined: 12/4/2002

Posts: 600

Vette(s): 1979 L-82, 3 spd auto, car was originally Lt. Beige currently painted Sportsman Red, Doeskin leather interior, 103,000 miles......

Yes lots o pictures please as this is one of my must do this winter projects..........

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/27/11 3:11pm Message 4 of 18

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Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1755

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

well I got all the old stuff out. Busted a few knuckles getting the 30+year old bolts apart.

Man am I glad I bought the lift.

http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/Redwingvette/steering%20upgrade/

Here are some pics so far. Nothing to show yet.

The new parts will be here tomorrow afternoon

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/29/11 5:06pm Message 5 of 18

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Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1755

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

The new parts are here! Clap

Now comes the hard part. have to push the steering column shaft up into itself to make it about 2.375" shorter. I may have to pull the column out of the car to do it. I tried to hit it with a BFH but it did not move. I placed a piece of aluminum on the shaft so I would not smash the end. I sanded all the rust off the shaft and sprayed it with PB Blaster. Hopefully that with help.

I ended up pulling the column out of the car. I think this is the beat way to do it. Once I had the column out I installed the gear box and hoses. I then ended up taking the new rag joint apart and installing the one piece to the column before I put it back in. I cleaned and greased the lower barring while I had it apart. Once I got the shaft to break loose it slid in and out with just a little tapping. I had to hit pretty hard to get to start though.

Lots of pics can be seen on my Photobucket page

Not the easiest job to do by yourself but it can be done. I am glad I don't have headers to work around.

|UPDATED|10/29/2011 5:06:41 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/30/11 10:50am Message 6 of 18

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Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1755

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

Here is my page on cardomain.com

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/30/11 11:58am Message 7 of 18

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Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Joined: 12/3/2001

Posts: 2379

Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Looking good Brian. Thumbs Up

I've talked to a rep at Borgeson awhile back and was very impressed with how they explained what the pro's and con's of rack and pinion systems vs. theirs.

I'm hoping I can do one this spring if funds will allow. The price through Summit Racing was only like $750. Which I don't think is that bad. Its been a expensive year for the vette. "new seats, tires, wheel bearings, driveshaft, sidepipes, now the differential." Friggin money pit.

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/30/11 12:04pm Message 8 of 18

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daveo76

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Joined: 8/25/2005

Posts: 869

Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Thanks for sharing - this looks pretty cool. Seems like the "default" steering upgrade has traditionally been a R&P (Steeroids) system, but this looks like it would be a pretty good alternative and a bit less expensive. Does it change the ratio at all or any other characteristics of the steering?

1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Re: Steering upgrade on its way

Posted: 10/30/11 12:47pm Message 9 of 18

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Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Joined: 9/13/2002

Posts: 1755

Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

The new box is 12.7:1 quick ratio integral power steering box. I am not sure what the old box is. I haven't had the pleaser of getting on the highway yet but it does feel a lot better then my old worn out system did through the neighborhood.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box