Who has installed Power Steeroids™...

67HEAVEN · 06-23-05, 04:41 PM

...on their midyear?

When?

Feedback?

Did you have power steering before?

What did you use for the pump with the Steeroids? Same pump? Lines?

Other comments?

Mark Stahl · 06-23-05, 04:57 PM

Just had power Steeroids system installed on my '64. I didn't have power steering before, and the Steeroids makes a night-and-day difference. The one thing to I noticed is that the feel of the road is reduced compared to pre-power steering install. I ended up using an old-style power steering pump with Zoops pulleys. The kit does include all power steering hoses, which is a good thing, and it's not a big deal to plumb. The biggest issue I've encountered is that the power steering belt is extremely close to the upper A-arm. However, this might be an issue related more to the VBP upper A-arm, which I had installed in conjunction with disc brake conversion (car previously had drums all around). All work above work was done at the same time. Also, be aware that you might have to do some cutting on the bumper bracket for some specific years (check with Steeroids). Definitely worth the price and time to install...I'd recommend it.

stepinwolf · 06-23-05, 05:31 PM

Hello Bob,

I have just recently installed a steeroids conversion on my 65 vert, and the difference is really amazing. To answer your questions here goes,,,

When I month ago

Feedback excellent, easy to install, great road capabilities, smooth as sh-t

P/steering before, Yes, with a regular period correct pump

Comments Bob, your going too like this on.

When I received the kit, I went through the assortment of parts, and couldn't figure out why they were so expensive to buy. So guess what, I took down the numbers, went down to my local GM dealer, and after a little searching, I found the exact same rack & pinion that the General used during certain years on the " Berretta " and the Z24 Cavalier.

Well the rest is history, I order a rack for less then 200$ Canadian, got in touch with " Flaming River " for the exact same universals that they supplied in the kit, and set about to fab the assorted brackets, needed to bolt up the kit to the front end. The original brackets were stamped from 1/8" , but I used my plasma cutter, and made up a set from some 3/16" plate that I had on hand.

The complete kit can be made for a little less then half the cost to purchase the kit from Steeroids. If you decide to go the same route, e-me and I will help you as best as I can.

Stepinwolf

67HEAVEN · 06-23-05, 05:59 PM

Mark and Bob,

Thanks for the insight. I'm gaining interest in this modification. I collected the various parts for a stock conversion over the years, but since then, technology has passed the stock unit by.

I'll be in touch.

67HEAVEN · 06-23-05, 06:00 PM

Has anyone installed Steeroids on a big block midyear with Hooker sidemounts?

Looking at Stepinwolf's photos causes me to wonder about clearance.

stepinwolf · 06-23-05, 06:56 PM

Bob,

I have since spoken to Steeroids regarding the big block conversion, and was told that the only difference in their kit, is with the hoses. You might just want to drop them a message at the following, for the answers you need.

randy@speeddirect.com

Randy is the " Man "

BTW Bob, the steering joints and couplers take up less room then the normal steering box.

Delph · 06-23-05, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67HEAVEN

Has anyone installed Steeroids on a big block midyear with Hooker sidemounts?

Looking at Stepinwolf's photos causes me to wonder about clearance.

thats exactly my thoughts. I am in the same boat. Let me know what you find out, I am very interested in the conversion. I currently have a non-powered steering car...is yours powered?

stepinwolf · 06-23-05, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67HEAVEN

Has anyone installed Steeroids on a big block midyear with Hooker sidemounts?

Looking at Stepinwolf's photos causes me to wonder about clearance.

Bob, One thing I forgot to mention in the pics I posted, is that, the jumble of tight fitting hoses that look worrying to you, are not related to the Steeroids kit ( very straight forward ) but rather the installation of the hydra boost hydraulic brake assist unit, that runs off the power steering pump, and they are not part of the basic R+P install.

Sorry for the mis-information

Stepinwolf

Stemmer · 06-23-05, 10:08 PM

...not offered for a C1 yet.... I wonder if they ever will be....

67HEAVEN · 06-23-05, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepinwolf

Bob, One thing I forgot to mention in the pics I posted, is that, the jumble of tight fitting hoses that look worrying to you, are not related to the Steeroids kit ( very straight forward ) but rather the installation of the hydra boost hydraulic brake assist unit, that runs off the power steering pump, and they are not part of the basic R+P install.

Sorry for the mis-information

Stepinwolf

Thanks, Bob. The photos were very helpful.

My question about the big block is MOST relevant when you take into account the Hooker sidemounts. I'm wondering about the width of all those fat tubes dropping down to below the frame rail. Will they be in the way of any of the steeroids stuff?

Thanks for the contact eMail at Steeroids. I'll use it to ask them.

Sky65 · 06-23-05, 10:41 PM

Stepinwolf
Sent you an email. I am very interested in you conversion.
Thanks in advance.
Tom

stepinwolf · 06-23-05, 11:51 PM

Forgive me Tom, but I don't know what more I can tell you about the upgrade, that I have not already mentioned in a few of the above messages.

I installed it in my small block that had P/S , and I am very happy with the performance. However the use of the hydro boost, made everything a little tight, but other then that I am quite satisfied with the results. The car now behaves like a late model, and the only noticeable difference, performance wise, is a slightly larger turning circle.

At normal driving speed, you no longer need to have the constant steering input we normally see with the conventional steering setups.

Just to make things clear, the regular steering on my car had been completely restored, including the column and it's bearings, and also the steering box that was professionally rebuilt by " Corvette Steering Service " in NC, so the car was no slouch before the upgrade

Stepinwolf

67HEAVEN · 06-24-05, 12:44 PM

I got a response from Steeroids.

Quote:

Hello,

Yes! We do have a kit that will work with your setup. Actually, we have many customers that use our kits with the Vette Brakes suspension kit and they say they compliment each other very well.

Regarding the headers, it is a tight fit – but it can work. On our website, in the Technical Support section, we have a section about header clearance. There it mentions “Hooker 2224, 2224-1 or 2234 Side Pipes- Dimple Required in Drivers Side.“ We actually had Hooker install one of our kits on a car with these headers. They were ceramic coated, and they dimpled them and did not have any problems, nor did they disrupt the coating. (They headed the header tube with a torch. Then they took a large socket and wrapped it in a rag and tapped on it to leave a nice, clean dimple.)

Hope this helps!

I'm not too thrilled about the header dimpling though.

VBP · 06-24-05, 01:46 PM

FYI: If you have a manual steering car and want a power Steeroids system (the only way to go), you might want to check out this kit:

Here is the link to the product info:
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=861

There are three kits different kits available depending on engine size / type. They have everything you need to put a power Steeroids system on a car that originally had a manual system...

Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
http://www.VBandP.com

VBP · 06-24-05, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepinwolf

... the exact same rack & pinion that the General used during certain years on the " Berretta " and the Z24 Cavalier ... The complete kit can be made for a little less then half the cost to purchase the kit from Steeroids. If you decide to go the same route, e-me and I will help you as best as I can.

Stepinwolf

Stepinwolf
Great pics. I heard that the racks used in the Steeroids kits were from a '92 Grand Am and that everything was great - except the brackets. I would be very interested (and so would Steeroids I'm sure) on any feedback you have about the entire system. Also, I saw our transverse spring system in this picture and would also like some feedback on it. Please call or write anytime.

Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
http://www.VBandP.com
alan@VBandP.com
800-237-9991